Originally formed in 2011 and comprised of Dan Htoo-Levine (guitar, vocals), Thom Brennan (trumpet), and Matt Hines (keyboards), the Boston, MA-based band Dan and The Wildfire originally started out as a indie folk band. However, after Kyle Jenkins (drums) and Sam Katz (bass) were added, the band’s sound changed as it became much more roots, rock and blues orientated. And in many ways, it’s very much a natural progression in aesthetic and sound. 

Since the release of their debut effort the band has toured throughout most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the Chicago area. But the forthcoming release of the band’s third full-length effort, Bull Moose may put the band on the national map. “Backwash,” the album’s latest single is a bluesy, old-timey song about drinking cheap rye, cheap whiskey, cheap anything on the front porch to celebrate, but most likely to forget age old pains and hurts. In some way, sonically, the song bears an uncanny resemblance to The Band, in particular, I’m reminded of “Up on Cripple Creek” – and of The Devil Makes Three.