D.H. Van Huffel is an Austin-based musician. He recorded with Same Sky Productions and will release his first EP Your First Tattoo in early 2023. Van Huffel wrote the songs, sings lead vocal, and plays guitar on every track.
The album was a means to process and move through a challenging time in Van Huffel’s life. His lyrics incorporate themes of uncertainty, loss, and grief as well as renewal, hope, and resolve.
The sounds have roots in the music Van Huffel grew up with–and loved. From ‘70s AM radio and early ‘80s MTV to the alternative rock movement of the early ‘90s.
Van Huffel took the long road to songwriting and recording, but music was always there and figured heavily into his upbringing and most formative experiences. His earliest memories include finding his way to his older sister’s room (14 years his senior) to listen to records with her.
He trained as a painter earning his Bachelor’s degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a designer, Van Huffel worked for former Family lead singer, St. Paul Peterson (The Time, Steely Dan, Donny Osmond) and his brother, keyboardist Ricky Peterson (David Sanborn, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and many others). He went on to work in design and technology helping to create one of the most successful editorial startups in the history of the internet.
Van Huffel’s influences include the likes of Neil Finn, Elliot Smith, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and Prince. The latter of whom he worked for as a Production Assistant at Paisley Park Studios in the mid 90’s. This opportunity came by way of his brother, Michael, a musician and designer, who worked as Prince’s in-house art director. This was a dream come true for Van Huffel who grew up in a small Ohio town playing along to Prince records (and associated acts like The Family) with his brother.