Winner of the prestigious 2007 Kerrville New Folk Award, Danny Schmidt is a profound lyrical writer and accomplished guitarist, whose songs tackle universal themes of love, loss and longing...restless discontent and grateful joy. His Red House Records debut cements his acclaim as the best of the next generation of singer-songwriters. Instead The Forest Rose to Sing is an artistically crafted collection of songs exploring the concept of money and it"s worth in today"s world. As someone who has worked on a commune, survived cancer without health insurance and has now begun to know financial success, Schmidt has experienced the notion of "wealth" from several sides. "Money is a complicated concept," he says, "and ultimately, how we choose to relate to the idea of money reflects a lot about our values." Extremely relevant in today"s struggling economy, songs like "Better Off Broke," "Southland Street" and "Serpentine Cycle of Money" explore various perspectives on wealth, while songs like "Grampa Built Bridges," "Two Timing Bank Robbers Lament" and "Firestorm" paint vivid characters and their search for meaningful lives. Mixing folk, Americana and indie-roots styles, these songs possess driving melodies and timely themes that capture Schmidt at the height of his artistic powers. Produced by Mark Hallman (David Byrne, Eliza Gilkyson, Ani Difranco), Instead The Forest Rose to Sing marks the arrival of major new talent.