Daniel Goldstein is an 18-year old Israeli composer and arranger with a wide and diverse taste in music. He grew up on equal parts classical music and 80s pop to become a beast of an indie musician who lives and breathes music. Daniel is the kind of passionate, devoted guy we’ll always love to have on Drooble, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask him a bunch of questions. Naturally, he came up with the most interesting answers! Check out Dan’s interview below:

Greetings, Daniel! Tell us about your background as a composer and orchestral arranger.

I started writing songs at the age of six, but only really got into composing and arranging when I was twelve or so. I was in an Arts class in middle school, and half of us were musicians. Some played orchestral instruments, like the flute and the oboe, but these guys only really got to perform in ceremonies and stuff. So I figured that I should learn how to write for these instruments, so I could feature them in other school events as well. So at thirteen I got the Samuel Adler orchestration book, and basically memorized it. And that was it. I pretty much gave up on being an instrumentalist to become an arranger.

You also play the bass and drums. How did you find the time and motivation to become such an accomplished musician?

While I do occasionally still play the bass and the drums (mostly as a session musician) – 90% of the time I am arranging. I am motivated just by the idea that other people are going to play things I have written

What is your biggest musical influence?

My biggest musical influence… it’s hard to pick one, but I’m gonna go with Johann Sebastian Bach. The way he has orchestrated his cantatas, for example, is a major influence on the way 20th and 21st century orchestral arrangers approach orchestrating for pop groups.

Do you always hear music in your head?

When I compose or arrange, it mostly goes straight from my head to paper, with no “filter” (such as an instrument or computer) in between. That is my way of conveying the truest form of what I have in mind to musical information.

What is it that you love the most about making music?

What’s not to love about it?

Out of all the live shows you played, which one was the most memorable, and why?

I got to arrange and perform a cover of Sufjan Stevens’ “The Lord God Bird” with a chamber orchestra consisting of: a Flute, a Clarinet, a Trumpet, a Trombone, two Violins, a Viola and a Cello. We did it with the Illinois-era Sufjan wings and everything. It was really fun.

Introduce your current musical projects and tell us what makes each one special for you!

I have some ideas for future projects, but right now I’m mostly orchestrating for Indie artists. Can’t discuss details about anything yet, but it’s rather exciting.

What is your biggest musical goal?

Re-vitalizing orchestral music for 21st century people!

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

Drooble has given my songs a crowd which may not have found it otherwise. Highly appreciated.