Our Side by Side series returns with David Allred's essay on his love for Daniel Thorne's Lines of Sight.

Daniel Thorne's record Lines of Sight has consistently been one of my best friends since its release in 2019. I first discovered Daniel's music when my dear friend Peter Broderick showed me his side project Immix Ensemble & Vessel while we were spinning records in a cabin at the Oregon coast back in 2016. Upon first hearing it, I was immediately moved by Daniel's ability to create music that somehow feels equally as ancient as it is futuristic. There's something about his way with harmony that feels like it's from another world and I love being fully immersed in this world.

Three years after the 2016 Immix Ensemble & Vessel record 'Transition' (which I also cannot recommend enough), Daniel Thorne released 'Lines of Sight', a stunning work of art filled with rich layers of saxophones and synthesizers. I am reminded of my inner healing journey which involves really feeling my emotions, facing my fears, processing, growing up and living life, because at times this album scares me and it also holds me with the most comforting blanket atmosphere that leaves me curious and completely fascinated. The range of emotion I feel while listening to this album is huge and there are very few albums that provoke this magnitude of feeling. And the way Daniel composes music is a bit mysterious to me. At times it sounds completely improvised while at times it sounds methodically composed, and perhaps he integrated a combination of the two but regardless, I feel so inspired and moved.

The entire album is a beautiful journey and if I were to highlight a particular track, I'd say track 2 'From the Other Side of the World' is a perfect song. I find myself listening to it on repeat and feeling like everything is okay in that moment each time, regardless of anything else going on in my world. I also find it chordally and dynamically perfect for helping with sleep, while at the same time it is perfect for walking, driving, daydreaming, mind movies, etc.

Thank you for your music, Daniel. Thank you for helping me heal. 

· (re)discover the album