X-Factor finalist records album in North Wales

Feb 24 2010 by Kelly Barker, Denbigh Visitor

A FORMER X-Factor contestant has thanked his “new found North Wales family” for helping express his emotional journey in a brand new album.

For the past year, Daniel Evans has travelled from his home in Spain to Denbigh and Gwynedd, where he relied on a wealth of local talent to produce No Easy Way, released this week.

The 40-year-old pool cleaner, who came sixth in the well known talent show, failed to get a major label to sign him once the hype of the programme died down.

Spotting a gap in the market for “real heartfelt music”, Daniel enlisted the help of old family friend and former musician Dino Pierce from Penrhyndeudraeth, whose contacts in North Wales turned the album from a dream into reality.

Daniel said his life story hit the headlines after he revealed he lost his wife during the birth of his daughter, now aged two.

The singer said his album reflects both happy and sad parts of his life and is dedicated both to his late loved one and also to his mum, who’s been his “rock” during hard times.

And for every album sold, 30p will go towards the Help the Heroes charity.

Daniel said: “I was introduced to the young and extremely talented producer Richard Roberts from Pwllheli and along with a range of other talented musicians from the area, we created a heartfelt and emotional album.

“I had to do everything independently and am so proud of what I’ve achieved thanks to my new Welsh family.

“I believe that if you’re going to sing, you have to sing like you mean it and every song on my album is a new interpretation of old classics, with my own arrangement.

“I want my album to let people know you can get through things, no matter what.”