Known for writing compulsively catchy hooks that bend the lines of genre, Daniel Ellsworth is the epitome of independent artistry. He’s a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who allows himself the freedom to develop his sound across a wide variety of genres and projects. Based in Los Angeles, California, his chimerical style falls somewhere between buoyant, hopeful pop, carefree indie rock, and pulse-driven hip-hop (think Pharrell Williams meets Brian Wilson), and his independent and collaborative works have been featured in a long list of films, TV episodes, and international ad campaigns. Now an established pop composer, he continues to produce and write collaboratively, expanding his extensive repertoire with regular releases from his six current projects, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, Chaos Emeralds, DARKMINDS, Lake Girlfriend, REVEL, and D. Ellsworth as well as his work as a solo artist. Despite his frequent collaboration and dexterity across genres, Ellsworth’s music is distinct: there is always the perfect hook, bold melodic lines that feel inventive and at the same time immediately recognizable. “If you strip away the genre-specific elements, it’s all pop music at the core,” he says. “Everything I write is considered through the lens of a good pop melody.” 

Born and raised in St. Paul, MN, Ellsworth started playing piano at eight, inspired by his uncle, a blues lover who taught himself to play by ear. His parents, both amateur musicians, taught him guitar, inspiring him at a young age with their own renditions of classic 60s folk and pop songs: The Beach Boys, The Beatles, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Peter Paul and Mary, and Simon and Garfunkel. Ellsworth studied Classical Piano at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire before transferring to Belmont University, where he graduated with a degree in Jazz Piano. Ellsworth cut his teeth in Nashville producing and co-writing with local artists, playing session keys, and fronting beloved indie-rock band Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, formed in 2010 with Timon Lance, Marshall Skinner, and Joel Wren. A local favorite known for their euphoric hooks and energetic live shows, DE+TGL released their debut album Civilized Man in 2011, recorded and co-produced with Mark Nevers (Andrew Bird, Yo La Tengo, Silver Jews). The album was named one of Amazon’s top 100 albums of the year, with single "Shoe Fits" debuting at number seven on Amazon’s top 100 songs of 2011. Chosen as one of “15 Bands to Watch” by Esquire, DE+TGL released sophomore album Kid Tiger in 2014, recorded at Sputnik Sound by Vance Powell (Jack White, The White Stripes, The Raconteurs). In 2016, DE+TGL released companion EP Bemidji, also recorded by Powell, and in 2018 they dropped critically-acclaimed third full-length Fashion, a captivating and expansive pop collection praised by influential publications Billboard, Esquire, Earmilk, Parade, and Paste. Evolving their sound from dizzying indie-rock to fresh, evocative synth-pop, the band released a series of self-produced singles in 2019, including “Way You Are” ft. Ruby Amanfu. 2025 saw the release of their fourth full-length album HIGH LIFE. Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, engineered, co-produced, and mixed by Justin Glasco (known for work with Paris Paloma, Brett Dennen, The Lone Bellow), it’s an existential 7 song journey about change, resistance, love, regret, and recognition of our shared humanity.

Ellsworth teamed up with fellow Nashville artist Kyle Andrews in 2015 to form electropop duo Chaos Emeralds. Snappy and celebratory, their R&B-meets-electronic sound is driven by a pop heart, fusing soulful falsetto, soaring melodies, and woozy synthesizers to form the perfect atmosphere for young love and vibrant parties. Chaos Emeralds released their debut self-titled album in 2016, opening for Tanlines and joining the lineup for Daytrotter’s Raggedtrotter Festival that same year. In 2017, they played Nahsville’s TedX conference and opened for Why? at Third Man Records. Chaos Emeralds released several well-received singles, including “Purple” in 2020 and their sophomore album II released in 2022. 2024 saw the release of the breezy Stay Floaty EP, featuring the song “Infinite Loop.”

In January 2019 Ellsworth was paired with L.A. producer C4 (Big Sean, Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, Musiq Soulchild) for a songwriting session, and the two artists immediately clicked, soon forming collaborative hip-hop-pop duo DARKMINDS. “C4 is different from writers I’ve worked with in the past. He’s a well-established, hyper-creative hip-hop and R&B producer who’s worked on major albums. We’re both trained pianists, but otherwise we bring totally different skills to the table.” Blending Ellsworth’s bold pop hooks and cheerful falsetto with C4’s modern hip-hop beats and sleek production, the pair have released two albums and three EPs, landing features in nationwide ads for Apple, Can-Am, MLB, PGA Tour, Vh1, KT Corporation, and GQ Sports as well as movies and shows on Netflix, Disney+, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. 

Formed over their mutual love for pop music, yacht rock, and Casio keyboard saxophones, Lake Girlfriend is Daniel’s indie pop/anything goes duo with Bantug. Bantug is producer and artist Amanda Bantug. She has opened for bands like Soccer Mommy, Halfnoise, and Men I Trust and one time Sheryl Crow tweeted about her. Equal parts indie pop, soft-rock, and self-help, their debut EP Notes To Self released April 25th, 2023. Following in the footsteps of their debut EP, Lake Girlfriend released the two song EP Burn/Dead End on March 19th, 2024. Inspired by Dire Straits, psychedelics, and sadness - it's about dropping all of the things that drag you down and getting out before everything burns down. 2025 saw the release of the Bounce EP as well as the new single “Rich (With or Without)” and capped off with their song “Burn” being featured in the film Worth The Wait. 2026 will see the release of a brand new synth-driven instrumental EP.

REVEL is Ellsworth’s new dance moniker. It’s a collaborative dance-inspired outlet for joy — blending funk, soul, and electronic textures in the spirit of Jungle, Sault, Daft Punk, and Kavinsky. Built on big grooves, soaring melodies, and collaborative energy, REVEL is music designed to bring people together, shake off the heaviness of the world, and lose themselves in dance. 2026 will see the release of the debut album Daniel Ellsworth Presents…REVEL, featuring collaborations with artists like whit, Kyle Andrews, Jeremy Lister, Alva Leigh, and more. The first several singles from REVEL are out now.

D. Ellsworth is the new instrumental piano project from Ellsworth. Here he steps into a more intimate space with the forthcoming debut album Field Notes: Solo Piano Vol. 01 — a collection of ten reflective piano compositions that blend neoclassical elegance with subtle jazz influences. Field Notes: Solo Piano Vol. 01 unfolds as a collection of thoughtfully composed pieces with moments of improvisation. It's at once melodic, cinematic, and deeply human. Inspired by artists like Chilly Gonzales, Nils Frahm, and Keith Jarrett, the music draws from the natural world and the quiet beauty of observation.

Then there’s the solo music. Los Angles based Ellsworth is in the midst of releasing his solo debut, a quartet of genre-defying EPs that demonstrate his characteristic brightness and charisma across an eclectic variety of musical backdrops. I HAVE / NO CLUE / WHAT / I’M DOING reveals the range and depth of his talent in a masterful, idiosyncratic pop collection split into four parts. From the clean, unburdened, dream-pop-meets-hip-hop tracks on I HAVE to the bright synths and indie-pop appeal of NO CLUE, the first two EPs present a clear fusion of dance-ready anthems and tender, light-hearted pop: part Erlend Øye, part Bruno Mars. The WHAT EP - Ellsworth’s first fully self-produced, self-mixed solo release - is infused with a genre bending, underground indie atmosphere and draws on influences as wide ranging as LCD Soundsystem, Anderson .Paak, and M. Ward. WHAT will be followed by the fourth and final EP I’M DOING (release TBD), which presents solo vocals over pared-down piano ballads that are anything but sparse. The result of all of these EPs is a fun, dynamic collection that feels elegant, substantial, and totally free. 

*bio by Anna Elise Anderson