Singer-songwriter and Americana troubadour DANIEL LEYES releases his collaborative LP ‘Medicinal Americana’, cultivated and produced by the the late songwriter and roots, Americana, and folk-rock legend Todd Snider. The album is available on all digital streaming platforms, and you can find it HERE.
Daniel Leyes has a life story worth telling, and an album, ‘Medicinal Americana’, that brings that story to life. Born and raised on Staten Island, Leyes grew up immersed in the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, from Motown to Led Zeppelin. He’s been playing guitar and writing songs since his teens, steadily shaping the voice he carries today.
Everything shifted for him in 2017, the first time he heard folk-Americana legend Todd Snider, specifically the song “Conservative Christian.” Leyes recalls, “My life is divided into two parts: before I heard Todd and after I heard Todd. After that chance radio encounter, my life would never be the same.”
Their friendship truly began years later, in 2023, when Leyes attended a songwriting camp hosted by Snider. The two quickly bonded, describing themselves as “cosmic old friends,” sharing songs, stories, and plenty of smoke-filled sessions that helped spark the creative energy behind this album. What neither of them knew at the time was that Medicinal Americana would become Snider’s final production project before his passing, adding a deeper emotional weight to the record.
‘Ha Ha Weed Is Legal,’ one of the album’s lead singles, sets the tone with a carefree sense of celebration. Driven by bright horns, acoustic guitars, and an infectious rhythm, it’s arguably the most immediately memorable track. It’s playful, catchy, and almost nursery rhyme-like in its simplicity.
The next single, ‘Stoner Mating Call,’ strips things back. With just Leyes’ voice and an acoustic guitar front and center, the song leans into humor and charm: “If you wanna make love until mañana / In a funky little bungalow in southwest Tijuana / After which we could smoke some marijuana / Honey, I’m the man for you.” Beneath the cheeky lines is a sincerity that makes the song feel genuine and disarming.
Another standout is ‘Astrovan,’ co-written with Snider. Raw and reflective, it shifts focus away from the album’s lighter themes and into something more personal, chasing dreams, regardless of how messy or uncertain the path may be: “I got this dream that I’m chasing / It comes before everything / This simple life I’m embracing / Living every day to play and sing.”
Other highlights include ‘Can You Do It,’ a dark, smoky, blues-tinged track that leans into introspection, while ‘Party’ swings in the opposite direction, building gradually before exploding into a full, high-energy payoff.
Dedicated to Leyes’ friend Carl “Tinker” West (Bruce Springsteen’s original manager) ‘Medicinal Americana’ is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a journey, one rooted in friendship, growth, creative freedom, and a passionate tribute to Todd Snider’s lasting influence.
‘Medicinal Americana’ is now out for your pleasure across all leading platforms. Why not have a listen below…
Connect with Daniel Leyes via:
FB:https://www.facebook.com/DanielLeyes420/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/danleyes/
Source: Publicity Nation PR
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