#171 - Charmer (David Daignault)

Charmer's music has always been a powerful exploration of mental
health, and "Rose Thorns" is no exception. What's different this
time? The lyrics have matured, and the songs are all about moving
forward from the mental health struggles that life throws our
way. It's a journey towards finding clarity and purpose in life.
David believes this new music takes him back to the "early
Charmer" days. Get ready for some amazing harmonies and a huge
emphasis on guitar playing in these tracks! 


In this interview, David opens up about the challenges Charmer
faced and the ultimate motivation that drives them today. After
college, David took a bold step by moving to the East Coast,
fully committing himself to the world of music. The band
self-released several EPs, but the growth they hoped for just
didn't materialize. It was a tough period. Undeterred, when
things didn't go as planned, David decided to return to Michigan
with Neil. They had a handful of songs left, so they recorded
them, almost like a parting gift to the band. Little did they
know, this would mark a turning point.


In 2017, Charmer did five dates with Free Throw, and it marked a
turning point for them. Prior to that, they had been slogging it
out on some pretty tough DIY tours. These tours, while memorable,
were often in front of small crowds and with very little money to
show for it. Charmer's journey continued with the release of
their first LP, but for the first six months, there was radio
silence. The album didn't take off right away, and they had to
rely on word of mouth to get some attention. It was only when
their second record came out that things really started to
change. People began to listen to both albums, and Charmer's
music started to gain traction.


The pandemic brought a lot of downtime and changes for everyone,
including Charmer. They found themselves dealing with family
obligations and even David hitting the road with Hot Mulligan,
which demanded his focus. However, this past year has been a
turning point. They finally had the opportunity to sit down and
get back to making music. The result? The band feels like they've
improved significantly.


We are happy that David and Charmer are writing music again.
Check out "Rose Thorns" and let us know what you think. Also,
make sure to catch Charmer, Free Throw, Prince Daddy & The
Hyena, and Saturday's At Your Place on tour! This is just the
beginning of an exciting musical direction, and we can't wait to
share more with you. Stay tuned for more updates!