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David Safran

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David Safran
Background information
BornNovember 22, 1983 (age 40)
GenresPost-punk, indie rock, indie pop, garage rock, art rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician, writer, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, drums
Years active1997-present
Formerly ofThe Audreys, The Apathetics

David Safran is an American singer-songwriter, musician, essayist, producer, and investigative reporter. Active in Chicago music since adolescence,[1][2] Safran is best known for his 2013 solo album Delicate Parts.[3] Outside of music, Safran is known for his investigative articles and extensive research into CEDU facilities.[4]

Early life, the Apathetics (1997–1998) and the Audreys (2001–2002)

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Born in New York, Safran was raised in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and Highland Park, Illinois.[5] In middle school, Safran was introduced to the Chicago punk scene via the guitarist for ska-punk band the Eclectics who worked at the Highland Park Public Library.[6]

In eighth grade, Safran joined melodic hardcore band the Apathetics as its permanent bass player.[1] After the Apathetics, Safran co-founded garage rock revival band the Audreys.[7] The band's first drummer was Patrick Stump who left for Fall Out Boy.[8] In 2004, The Chicago Reader's Monica Kendrick wrote that the Audreys are “what the Strokes should've been."[9] That same year, music critic Jim DeRogatis compared the Audreys to the Velvet Underground, the Stooges, and the Feelies in a Chicago Sun-Times review.[10]

In 2009, Ivan Julian, co-founding member of Richard Hell and the Voidoids, recorded two Audreys songs for his debut solo album The Naked Flame.[11][12][8]

Early solo career and breakthrough singles

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After departing the Audreys, Safran embarked on a solo career while studying English literature at DePaul University.[13] In 2005, Safran began recording his debut full-length album after meeting Chicago producer Tim Sandusky but held it back from an official release.[14][15] He also shelved follow-up recordings[16] while continuing to perform live supporting artists such as Marc Ribot, Jorge Drexler, and Keren Ann.[17] In a 2013 interview with WBEZ, Safran admitted to second-guessing his early music, ultimately focusing on releasing singles instead of albums.[18]

In 2010, Safran released the song “Adult Things” featuring guitarist Andreas Kapsalis.[19] The single eventually helped Safran find a cult audience.[13][20] In 2012, Safran released “Woman Astride, Facing Away,"[21] a duet featuring indie pop singer Genevieve from Company of Thieves. Bolstered by Company of Thieves fans,[18] “Woman Astride, Facing Away” was a regional hit.[22]

Delicate Parts (2013) and Newcity Magazine Controversy (2015)

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After the breakthrough of “Woman Astride, Facing Away,” Safran assembled Delicate Parts,[23] an LP culled from songs recorded between 2005 and 2012.[5][24] Though intended to be a career-making album,[3] Safran was unable to find a record label.[22] Speaking in 2021 with the Buenos Aires outlet InfoNews, Safran further explained that a few labels agreed to release Delicate Parts if he changed his name and re-recorded songs in one specific genre, suggestions he declined.[25]

In 2015, Safran contributed a controversial article for Newcity Magazine detailing unfair payment practices for local musicians at Chicago music clubs.[26] WGN Radio host Mike Stephen said the article “rattled the local scene by exposing what life is really like playing around the city.”[27] According to Safran, he was unofficially banned from performing at Chicago music venues as a result of the article.[28]

CEDU experience and "Medium Anonymous" reporting

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As a high school freshman, Safran was sent to the private residential facility CEDU in Running Springs, California to treat misdiagnosed depression.[29] After years of silence, Safran began an anonymous investigation exposing CEDU's five-decade history, revealing unpublished reports that the California Department of Social Services had often substantiated child abuse allegations inside the facility. In 2018, Safran posted his findings under the pseudonym “Medium Anonymous.”[30]

In 2020, Safran pseudonymously produced The Lost Kids,[31] an NBCUniversal podcast series about CEDU partly based on his written investigation.[32][33] Hosted by CBC journalist Josh Bloch, known for helping to expose the NXIVM cult,[34] The Lost Kids won the Gold Award in the narrative/documentary podcast category at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.[35] Esquire Magazine included The Lost Kids in its list of best true crime podcasts.[36]

After The Lost Kids, Safran revealed his identity in a short video narrated by Jen Robison,[37] a youth rights advocate and former director of Breaking Code Silence later featured in the Max docuseries Teen Torture Inc.[38][39][40]

San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department whistleblowing and Los Angeles Magazine reporting

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In 2021, Safran was asked to consult on a San Bernardino County detective's investigation into three boys, John Inman, Blake Pursley, and Daniel Yuen, who disappeared from CEDU in 1993, 1994, and 2004 respectively. A few months into his assistance, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department superiors halted the Twin Peaks Station detective's investigation.[4] In October 2022, Safran contributed a whistleblowing article for Los Angeles Magazine exposing how the police investigation fell apart and examining a possible cover-up.[41]

In March 2023, Safran wrote a second investigative article for Los Angeles Magazine specifically about Daniel Yuen's 2004 unsolved disappearance from CEDU.[42] The story revealed new details about Yuen's case and made public his problematic missing person report.[42]

TrueAnon podcast host Brace Belden called Safran "one of the best researchers into the topic...of the troubled teen industry" because of his sweeping CEDU spotlighting.[43]

Other contributions

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  • In 2013, Safran lent his voice to an Adidas commercial.[3][44]
  • In 2014, Safran and writer-librarian Emma Morris received an artist sponsorship from arts organization High Concept Labs to co-create a musical called The Hotwife of Hyde Park.[45] The duo also received a grant from The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation to further develop their musical.[46][47][48]
  • In 2015, Safran composed the viral “3Fap” jingle for sex toy inventor Brian Sloan.[28] Bustle described it as “the jingle of my dreams."[49]
  • In 2016, The Atlantic named "Adult Things" as its Track of the Day.[20]
  • In 2020, Safran's voice was used in the global Pandemos Project song and video “The Day After."[50][51]
  • In 2021, Argentina radio show Discorama aired Safran's 2010 dance-punk song “Strange Acts."[52] 
  • In 2023, Safran lent his voice to a Gudang Garam commercial in Indonesia[53]
  • In 2024, Safran contributed a popular essay in the Guardian about his former day job screening digital condolence notes.[54][55]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Punk Adolescence Lost: In Search of Apathetics Archives". Newcity Magazine. February 21, 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ Shaid, Rebecca (20 October 2024). "Evanston native David Safran on the re-release of Delicate Parts". The Wayback Machine. WNUR. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Under the radar but rising musician David Safran". WBEZ. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b TrueAnon (5 January 2023). "Episode 262: CEDU Detective". YouTube. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b Schmooze Button (14 April 2021). "Adult Things and Delicate Parts with Musician David Safran: Episode 22". YouTube. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ^ Lakeshore Public Media NPR PBS (10 March 2021). "Midwest Punks Episode 206". lakeshorepublicmedia.org. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ^ Chamberlain, Dave (2003-06-18). "Chicago Rocks! Call it garage, call it punk, call it underground. Just call it big". Newcity Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 June 2003. Retrieved 20 October 2003.
  8. ^ a b Lumpen Radio. "Lumpen Special 10-27-2023 The Audreys". Mixcloud. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Spot Check". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  10. ^ "An upbeat take on local bands' new releases". Chicago Sun-Times. January 16, 2004. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Ivan Julian: Spleen On His Sleeve". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  12. ^ Fall Out Boy Archive Team. "Interview with David Safran 09 06 24". fobarchive.com. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b "8 Questions for David Safran: cult singer-songwriter, wordsmith, literature-lover". Oy! Chicago. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  14. ^ "David Safran - Vocalo Radio Interview, 2010 [Partial]". YouTube. 22 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Cheeky Asks Singer-Songwriter David Safran". Wayback Machine. Cheeky Chicago. Archived from the original on 28 Dec 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  16. ^ "David Safran - live on WLUW 88.7 FM, 2007 [Partial]". YouTube. 22 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Do312 - David Safran". 22 October 2024.
  18. ^ a b "David Safran web extra interview & song". WBEZ. May 8, 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Bahrain teachers' trial and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary Bahrain teachers' trial and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary Bahrain teachers' trial and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary". WBEZ - Worldview. 6 Sep 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Track of the Day: 'Adult Things' by David Safran". The Atlantic. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Weekend Events Around Town: 10/12- 10/14". WTTW. 12 October 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Provocations of a Bad Jingle Writer". Medium. The Awl. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  23. ^ "The Life of an Amorous Man: A Conversation with Singer-Songwriter David Safran". Jewrotica. October 3, 2013.
  24. ^ Pez, Leonardo (7 June 2021). "El músico de Chicago que flasheó con Sandro". El Litoral (in Spanish).
  25. ^ "La comodidad es la muerte de la creatividad". InfoNews (in Spanish). 7 June 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  26. ^ "Less Successful Numbers: The Money of Local Music". Newcity Magazine. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  27. ^ "OTL #457: Metra riders are plugged in, The harsh reality of making it as a local musician, Chicago Hot Sauce Fest". wgnradio.com. WGN. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  28. ^ a b "How a local singer-songwriter made a viral jingle for a sex toy". The Chicago Reader. 15 Oct 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Far From Home Extra: Perspective From A CEDU Survivor". NPR Illinois. 22 Dec 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Running My Anger: The Legacy of CEDU". Medium.com. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  31. ^ "The Lost Kids". USGAudio.com. USG Audio. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  32. ^ "10 True Crime Podcasts You Should Be Listening to This Summer". CrimeReads. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  33. ^ "The Lost Kids Episode 4: The Game". ART19. 20 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Where's Daniel Yuen? "The Lost Kids" podcast probes ties between "troubled teen" camp and '60s cult". Salon. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Winners Gallery". newyorkfestivals.com. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  36. ^ "The 50 Best True-Crime Podcasts". Esquire Magazine. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Medium Anonymous - #breakingcodesilence". YouTube. Breaking Code Silence. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Youth in Congregate Care: Far From Home, Far From Safe". American Bar Association. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  39. ^ "'Trib Talk': Utah's 'troubled teen' industry". The Salt Lake Tribune. 24 Sep 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Heart-wrenching doc 'Teen Torture, Inc.' details the horrors alleged at 'tough love' boot camps". Chicago Sun-Times. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Are Police Stifling the Investigation Into 3 Teens Who Vanished From a Controversial Residential Treatment Facility?". Los Angeles magazine. 31 Oct 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Suspect No. 1: Inside Daniel Yuen's Missing Person Case". Los Angeles Magazine. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Episode 352: CEDU Country". YouTube. TrueAnon. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  44. ^ "adidas Originals -- Fiesta all Originals Represent". YouTube. Adidas. 2 January 2013.
  45. ^ "The Hotwife of Hyde Park Musical Synopsis Read by David Safran". YouTube. High Concept Labs. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  46. ^ "Three songs from the musical "The Hotwife of Hyde Park" by Emma Morris & David Safran". Medium. Oyez Review. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  47. ^ "Editing Erotica and the X-Files with Emma Morris". HCL blog on Wordpress. High Concept Labs. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  48. ^ "Novelty Prophylactics and Lowbrow Show Tunes with David Safran". HCL Blog on Wordpress. High Concept Labs. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  49. ^ "This New Sex Toy Raises The Bar For Men". No. 8 Oct 2015. Bustle. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  50. ^ "The Day After". IMDb. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  51. ^ "The Day After". Pandemos Project's YouTube channel. 20 Oct 2024.
  52. ^ "El Homenaje a Big Fabio en Discorama # 356". Apple podcasts. Discorama. 13 June 2021.
  53. ^ "TVC Gudang Garam Filter International 2023 – The Greatest Choice (60s)". YouTube. Gudang Garam. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  54. ^ "Death and typos: my six strange years screening online obituary comments". The Guardian. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  55. ^ "What's it's like to moderate obituary comments". Boing Boing. 27 March 2024.
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