At first listen, “Never Settle” is an outstanding collection of dark, alt-folk, story-songs with a restless cast of misfit characters; hobos, murderers, daredevils, and lovers. But after a few listens you start to understand that all these protagonists, for all their faults, are searching for truth. Something that the artist, himself, has spent his whole adult life on the road trying to find.  

In the opening track, “Lord, Have Mercy on a Rambling’ Man”, he is begging to be forgiven his evils. Through a series of twists and turns and hard lessons learned, he reconciles on the final track, that “you can’t find your own way if you ain’t got lost”.  

With the help of Joar de Baat and Tom Radsma of acclaimed Dutch bands, Mantra and Nemsis, Dan German has created something here that feels both fresh and familiar. Something ethereal & emotional, rooted in Outlaw. As if Phoebe Bridgers was dancing on the mixing desk with the ghost of Townes Van Zandt.   

The production is perfect. It was mastered by four-time Grammy winner and 11-time Grammy nominee, Darcy Proper. She said this of this album: “On first listen, what struck me as special about this album was the storytelling quality. The vocals feel natural and courageous, the character in each song immediately becomes real to the listener - not always a “good guy” but always interesting. The overall production serves the music perfectly - simple and raw, professional quality that hasn’t had the life polished out of it and lets the story shine through”.