Stream exclusive tracks from D.A. Stern’s upcoming full length
The LP is currently being completed with a ’22 release in mind.
Titled Don’t Take Your Heartache Out On The World, the record explores themes central to relationships and is musically inspired by Roxy Music and Odelay!-era Beck. It is Co-produced with Andrew Lappin (Chromeo, L’rain, Vagabon) and features several notable guests including Matt Sweeney and Felicia Douglass (Dirty Projectors).
People Named Ben
People Named Ben is Stern’s EP homage to Space age pop, exotica and lounge. Released by If This Then Records in 2021, making it his second COVID-time release, it was also co-produced by frequent collaborator Andrew Lappin.
A limited cassette tape pressing for People Named Ben sold out within one week of preorders.
Videos for the EP were directed by Dom Costabile (Tim Heidecker’s Office Hours) and Joshua Adam Fu.
For more D.A. Stern videos, head to the VIDEOS page
“People Named Ben”
Good dog video directed by Joshua Adam Fu
Premiered at BreakThruRadio
Mmxxtape
Mmxxtape, released in 2020, is Stern’s mini LP dedicated to the concept of mixtapes. It features originals, covers, and collaborations sung by a wide range of guest vocalists including Chris Tomson of Vampire Weekend, Fat Tony, Colleen Green, Ben Hozie of BODEGA and others. Below are videos from this recent release with links to their respective premieres.
For more D.A. Stern videos, head to the VIDEOS page
“2 Drink Minimum” features Fat Tony and Colleen Green who co-wrote with D.A. Stern on this original.
Film-noir hot dog video directed by Thaddeus Ruzicka
Premiered at Stereogum
“Tall Girlfriend” features Alex Winston on a D.A. Stern original.
Rococo video directed by Thaddeus Ruzicka
Premiered at American Songwriter
“Since You’ve Been Gone” features Chris Tomson of Vampire Weekend singing a “Weird Al” cover.
Coldplay video directed by Graham Ohmer
Premiered at PopMatters
Press for Mmxxtape includes Stereogum, American Songwriter, Popmatters, Newsweek, Cabbages, Dusty Organ, Tinnitist, Reignland, We All Wants Someone, Vents Magazine, Cover Me Songs, Mecca Lecca…
LIVE
D.A. Stern has a deep live history having played 150+ shows within the U.S. - has opened for Luna, Cherry Glazerr, and Jacuzzi Boys, among many others. He intends to tour extensively off of Don’t Take Your Heartache Out On The World.
BIO
Few artists are equally skilled producers as they are songwriters. For Los Angeles-based, New Jersey-raised D.A. Stern, the two roles marry perfectly to showcase his playful deftness and signature wit. His full-length Slumberland debut, 2018’s Aloha Hola, was an impressive collection of ornate, hook-laden power-pop. Its proficiency and economy of writing recalled R.E.M. or Big Star while its simultaneously wry and introspective lyrics evoked Harry Nilsson.
Though that album marked the first D.A. Stern release, his undeniable talent had been long evident. Raised in Bergen County, New Jersey, he cut his teeth in New York City’s music community with his band the Sanctuaries. After recording their LP in Nashville with longtime Yo La Tengo producer Roger Moutenot, D.A. turned to engineering and production, honing his craft at Beastie Boy Adam Yauch’s recording studio, Oscilloscope Laboratories. Working with such luminaries as Kathleen Hannah, Cat Power, James Murphy, Mike D, and Adrock quickly developed Stern’s studio chops as well as his Todd Rundgren-esque songwriting/producing double threat.
Older Press
“… a savvy power pop album”—Brooklyn Vegan
“… forlorn lyrics about girls, drinking, modern society, and the darkness of city life in catchy, mostly lighthearted guitar-driven pop melodies”—Buzzbands LA
“… sun-soaked, instantly gripping songs”—Amadeus Magazine
“… musically bright and buoyant”—Allmusic
“ strikingly original and different, just a bit off the poprock beaten track”—Pop Rock Record
“ D.A. Stern has a knack for writing the kind of perfect melodic rock songs that shine down with the warmth of the sun”—Mecca Lecca
“… the man is churning out music that simply demands listening”—When You Motor Away