First Known Descent // Mediocre Music
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Here’s something a little different. I’ve written and recorded a concept album. This song, Pillows, is one of 10 songs about Backcountry Skiing. The album, First Known Descent is on all major platforms under the band name Good Beta.
Originally, I had this idea of writing a bunch of Weird Al like songs about the joys of backcountry skiing. However, after putting the first song together (Take a Pull) I realized I’d prefer to write original music. I was still going back and forth on the idea when, after skiing Success Glacier with Chase, I played the second song I wrote (Ripping Skin) for him. I told him about my idea and his enthusiasm for the concept increased my stoke to max levels and made me determined to see the project through. From July to November I wrote and recorded the remaining songs. I put some money aside for a mix engineer but by the time I went to New Zealand I had come to the conclusion that the whole vanity project was ridiculous and putting any money into it was folly. When I returned home I listened to my edits and decided to see the creation of this album though to the end. I took my music and modest budget to Marcus at June Audio and had him put the glossy finishing touches on my recordings. Eventually the coffers ran dry and this is what I ended up with.
Except for a handful of drum loops and samples all the music was written, performed and recorded by me using a 25 key keyboard, an ancient Gibson Epiphone, and a Shure sm57b. So if it sounds like a dumpster fire that’s all on me. If there’s anything worthy of your praise then that praise should go to my mom who forced me to play violin for 8 years before buying me a guitar.
I got to know Danny first through News AF, his podcast, where he always downplays himself and uses humour to jokingly make fun of his stories. Including that he used to be in a band. Whenever that comes up, Danny is always the first one to make fun of it.
But man, Danny, there's something to this song. It made me immediately go download the album so I can listen to it. I don't know anything about musical theory but your song affected me in a way I couldn't have expected. This is beautiful. You're a talented man who is humble enough to never really brag about it, but you really can be proud of this dude. Great job.
What episode of News AF is that? Would love to check it out
@@DomDizzler5053 Ooof he's mentioned his band on multiple episodes so I couldn't tell you honestly. But News AF is must-listen each week honestly. Danny is a hilarious person (so are Tyson and Rob, but Danny is the GOAT.)
"We ain't Heli skiers"
Off the hook fellas, off-the-friggin-hook. Cinematography, editing, and music... next level.
😂I was thinking the exact same thing!
Just when I thought the mystery of MA would be solved. Never! Love it.
As a mediocre musician myself (and an even more mediocre mountaineer), I'm glad you went for it. Life is too short to say no. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, this video is incredible! I've been watching your videos for years! This is a whole new level with your own original great music, huge Congrats!
Started watching the video pumped for a new MA video....think to myself..."wow, I like this song" and read the description, and become wildly impressed..yet again!
Splendid! The vibe of the music is so in synch with the mountain/ski/environment.
This is so good. I just listened to the whole album through on Spotify. You should be really proud of what you've created.
Man, I love this channel.
Great work -- thanks for all of the wonderful content over the years!
Well done Danny! It's always a good week when a Mediocre Amateur video is released. Also love your humor on the New AF podcast!
Great job. At first I thought "it's so nice to get some new music in a MA video" then I read the description and wow, you killed it with this. For what it's worth I'd love to see more edits like this alongside the vlog style videos.
Great aerials too, like the shot lookin down as skier parallels a long cliff edge. Ground cams shots look like a fancy DSLR 👌
The whole album is unironically SICK. Great work Danny!! I'm genuinely impressed!
Great music and video edit, I have listened through the album twice already and it will be playing while I skiing this week. Nice work!!!
Awesome winter and views. Thanks alot for sharing ❤. Greetings from Europe 👋
Love the album Danny!! 👏👏👏
I don't know what I was expecting, but this is shockingly good!! I gave the album a listen, and the whole thing is great!!
Nothing mediocre about Danny at all, dudes a complete rockstar.
That’s the joke
Great job Danny!! Both sound and video.
Went skiing yesterday and listened to the whole album on the drive. Very cool! It's good to see you guys skiing together again.
This is awesome Danny! Its very impressive you put out an album of your own songs. Now we've got some great backing tracks to look forward to on future MA videos!
Glad I've got some new tunes to vibe to while I ride the Wasatch. I've been able to listen to a few of the songs and they're sounding great! I like the guitar work on Cascade.
You are a legend, Danny. Greetings from the Dolomites
Be sure to thank Danny's Mom for bringing him into this wondrous world!
Listened to this track 5x in a row on the treadmill this morning. Beautiful, mesmerizing. Added to my running playlist. Listening to the whole album on Spotify. Great stuff, man. Lean into it.
wow! beautiful! my favorite skimo movie ever! thank you!
Holy smokes! Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Damn man camera work is def improving 😍😍
Great tunes. I've been listening the album for the last two hours on repeat.
Now that I've got the tunes for the descend, there is no excuse for me not to go outside and try to ski some lines.
This is doooooope and more like their earlier stuff a la the 3 "Last Choppers out Alaska" mixtapes. They brought their cool de la back.
Excellent short movie. Thanks for putting that together. Keep up the excellent work.
Exceptional* Ameuter!! Super fun jam, I love it. With the video, too, sooo good!!!
2023: Digs MA elite athletes skiing and climbing
2025: fanboys on Danny's dreamy tuneage
This is sick! Well done!!!
Jo momma! Is awesome for making you continue violin. Great track Danny.
Man has been eating his spinach, this is a masterpiece
Fun track and amazing tracks :)
Skiing is believing!
wow again! i loved the music, Danny! perfect with the back country and the flow motion
Magnificently filmed and edited.
Never thought my fav MTV would come from you.
Bro, WHAT??? This is awesome!
The shot at 2:10 is wild
Awesome track. Goes well with the skiing backdrop
Came over from News AF, fantastic song and video!
Cool project! A man of many talents.
Wow! Awesome cinematography
Ok, well this is just awesome. A fan of the music too!
Love the tune! Love the footy of epic skiing! The boys are looking sharp.
Yo, im stoned and chilling in a hot bath, and this GEM comes across my feed!! Cheers dudes ✌️
Great job! Love it. Heading over to spotify to hear more.
What a Legend!
Using the inspiration of backcountry skiing inspiration to drive your musical inspiration. Very nicely done!
If the hairs on your neck didn't tingle, you need to get out more.
Phenomenal, Danny!
Absolutely stunning visuals, even by MA standards. And the music was pretty good too!
Love the music and edit! Nice job
Breathtaking!
Nice to see you on good snow for a day.
Beautiful
just leaking talent
You guys rip! Shred the gnar brothers!
That was amazing!
Awesome turns! You guys rip!
"Blower" is my fave.
awesome Danny!
I can't believe this! Danny can sing. 😮 I'm listening to the album on Spotify right now.
Why isn't the album on Bandcamp? I would like to buy it and support the creative process.
Thank you Danny's mom!
Love it dude really good song I just started doing something similar and am uploading a few songs to Spotify and other platforms right now it is all instrumental but also inspired by skiing hiking and being in the mountains.
Great to see some of the old Mediocre posse. The only thing that could make this better is if you were Telemarking 😁
Extra like for this comment 👍
Danny I love you putting yourself out there in this new way. What are the chances we will see you performing one of these songs?
Honestly this should be your theme song. If I would have stumbled upon this song somewhere on the internet and listened to the style and lyrics, my first thought should have been "This sounds exactly like Mediocre Amateur."
I just listened to your whole album on Spotify and Wow! Digging Pits, Booter, along with this one are a total vibe!
And Cascade absolutely perfectly captures the love one can have for the Mountains more than I’ve really heard or seen others describe.
I would love to hear more! Thank you for sharing with us all!
Yes, Danny. Yes.
No, Mediocre Amateur the quality is excellent except yes, I don't like drum machines. Addtional efforts would not result in additional quality. As is is fine! I produced , did orchestral arrangement for 2 of my daughters albums and I understand the limitations and foibles of amateur recording. I had a "professional studio" but until the day we recorded the 3rd album at a REAL professional studio did I understand they had overcome all of the issues and had a place naturally sonically good and everything was an improvement over what came before (Halfling Studios in a swanky spot in Northwest Portland run by the Dembrists and a few other players. GREAT MUSIC AND GREAT video!
Nice job! What a surprise! Who knew?
Absolute banger🔥
Danny just ran out of copyright free music for his videos
Wow ! Great images, great song !
Wow Danny😮❤❤
great tune and it works well with the video
Can I like this more than once???
🔥🔥🔥
Pretty cool man! I dig it. Also, I am really impressed with the video quality. What video camera are you using these days?
🔥🔥🔥
Dude nice
Beautiful film, great song!
🔥🔥
It's really great with the sound off, that's what my body told me.
Cool song!
This is such a groovy tune! Are you on Bandcamp or Soundcloud too? Would love to download your tunes if available on those platforms.
How are the locator 104’s? Amazing video
I expected something mediocre, and this was not
@Christof...you you still have that Ortier kit?
Love it!
New video!! Thanks 🙏
Sa-weet!
Damn, this is good
Sick trailer. When is the full blown 2 hour movie gonna premier in Park City?
Nice production.
Fantastic
Danny got bars
Gives Red Bull music vibes
WE LOVE THE WINTER 🍻 from Bend OR
Thanks Mom. ✌️⛷️