Dan Rauchwerk Unleashes His Inner History Nerd

Sophie Buskin and Dan Rauchwerk / photo courtesy of by B.L. Howard Productions

Dan Rauchwerk is best known for his work with the Lords of Liechtenstein, which he fronts with his brother Noah. Their adventures in contemporary American folk music have often drawn comparisons to other pairs of brothers, namely Everly and Smothers, not so much in style but rather in their musical sensibilities and offbeat humor, respectively.

Dan Rauchwerk / photo courtesy of B.L.Howard Productions

Following the late 2018 release of his first solo album ,We Are More Than What We Leave Behind, Dan Rauchwerk has been playing a series of solo gigs. Most recently (May 11) he shared the bill with Sophie Buskin at Don Duggan’s Brooklyn Music Shop Homestead. He describes his solo work as “a lot nerdier” than the music he creates with the band.

“The Lords of Liechtenstein’s songs are more emotional in nature, while my solo songs tend to focus on historical stories,” he tells Brooklyn Roads. Indeed, the likes of Queen Victoria, Ponce de Leon and Vasco de Gama figure prominently in the lyrics of his solo album, as do ancient Carthage and a World War I recruiting sergeant.

Rauchwerk grew up listening mostly to folk music and classic rock, which “influenced my tendency to write songs with simple chord progressions and a strong emphasis on lyrical content.” Living in Brooklyn has also exerted its influence on him by “offer[ing] me the opportunity to meet musicians and music fans from a variety of different backgrounds,” he says.

“This diversity of styles and interests has inspired me to evolve as a writer and to constantly challenge myself to become a better musician.” he tells Brooklyn Roads, adding that, “When different kinds of people meet and mingle, interesting artistic collaborations are bound to happen.”

He also tells us that the aforementioned Brooklyn Music Shop Homestead is his favorite performance venue in the borough. ”It’s warm and welcoming, and everyone there feels like like one big musical family. They also get some phenomenal acts.” Brooklyn in general is “the perfect place to play,” he says, “because it combines the plethora of fans present in a large metropolis with the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of a small town.”