Sean Danielsen

Biography

Sean Julian Danielsen (born February 14, 1982) is an American musician and artistic painter, best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist of rock bands Smile Empty Soul and World Fire Brigade. In addition to creating a studio album and three independent extended play releases, Danielsen has collaborated on a Noise Refinery (West One Music) compilation album Anger Management with Mitchell Ray Marlow, the former rhythm guitarist of He Is Legend.

Early life

Danielson was born in El Cajon, California, the son of Jerry Danielsen, recording artist and owner of Busy Signal Studios in Santa Clarita. When he was seven he began living at a former abandoned summer camp in Maine with his mother and other members of his family (not Jerry Danielsen). After performing in his first rock band at age 11, he moved to California midway through his teens to live with his father.

Smile Empty Soul

Shortly after arriving in California, Sean Danielsen met percussionist Derek Gledhill and bassist Ryan Martin while attending neighboring high schools in Santa Clarita in 1998. Through the partnership, alternative rock band Smile Empty Soul was formed. Shortly after releasing a gold certified eponymous album in early 2003, Danielsen performed and helped compose "My Father's Daughter", which was released as a track on 24 Off the Board, rock vocalist Nina Storey's fifth studio album.

World Fire Brigade

In 2009, Danielsen formed World Fire Brigade, a rock band, with Brett Scallions of rock band Fuel. After working with former Shinedown bassist Brad Stewart, the band recruited producer Eddie Wohl to play keyboard for the band. On August 28, 2012, debut album Spreading My Wings, featuring Candiria percussionist Ken Schalk, in addition to guitarists Mike McCready and Rob Caggiano was released via FrostByte Media.

Enjoy the Process

On 16 April 2013, Danielsen released his first solo album, Enjoy the Process. The EP, produced by Wohl, featured six acoustic tracks. Danielsen says that the songs used on the album are delicate, low key songs accompanied by light guitar and diverge from tunes typically performed by his Smile Empty Soul. After publishing the EP, PureGrainAudio.com released a free copy of "The Breaks", the first song on the album.

Anger Management

Between the release of his first two albums, he worked with former He Is Legend guitarist Mitchell Ray Marlow on "Away" and "Best in You", two songs featured on Anger Management, a compilation album released on February 27, 2014, by West One Music.

Food Chain (EP)

Danielsen's second solo album, Food Chain, featured a full band and was recorded in Babylon Studios in Van Nuys, California. Released in November 2014, the album gave Danielsen more flexibility with his music.
During late 2014 and early 2015, he toured the U.S. in support of his second EP. In September 2015, he said that he planned to publish his next solo EP in late 2016.

Product of Isolation

In October 2016, Danielsen posted on his Facebook page, that he planned to release Product of Isolation, his first full-length solo studio album in January 2017. Early in November 2016, he announced that January 13, 2017 was the planned release date for the album.

Mind Control to Steal the Soul

In March 2017, he announced that he plans to release Mind Control to Steal the Soul, his third solo EP, in July 2017. In August 2017, Danielsen announced the release date as well as song titles.

The Best of Sean Danielsen Solo

In February 2019, he released a compilation album entitled The Best of Sean Danielsen Solo, with The Best of Sean Danielsen Solo Material, Vol. 2 arriving in April 2019.

Personal life

In July 2013, Danielsen began selling his own paintings via Facebook. In June 2016, he and his long time girlfriend, which he had been in a relationship with since 2005, were married.
For his entire music career, he had played Schecter electric and acoustic guitars. He cites Jerry Cantrell and Kim Thayil as being his favorite guitarists. Danielsen switched from Schecter to Dean and no longer uses Schecter. He is an official artist of Dean per Dean's official website.