A Dirty Dozen with DAN FROM DOWNINGTON – August 2023

According to a recent press release: “Dan from Downingtown Pennsylvania has been recording and releasing music.  Originally from the punk/ metal scene he decided to go under this alias, and take a new experimental direction with his music. The last EP that he released was experimental to say the least. The whole process of writing and recording his last EP stasis was a nerve wracking one, but in the end, he was really happy with the way the whole piece turned out, and the wonderful reception it got from people all over the world. He is currently in the process of finishing an album which should be out by November.” We get Dan discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

This new single is basically me trying to one up myself from the last EP that I put out. As always, I’m constantly trying to push the limits when it comes to bending genres, and assigning parts to instruments. But this one is a bit different, because it’s a little more “in your face” then the last seven songs that I’ve released in the previous eight months. Overall, it feeds more into the heavier/live instrument side of my music, as opposed to the beat driven electronic stuff. As far as “hidden nuggets” go, there are some fun little layers of different keyboard sounds, and of course the intersecting counterpoint of the drum machines and live drum tracks. But there is one little easter egg that I included in this song, and the rest of the up and coming album. I don’t want to spoil it just yet. I’m curious to see if the fans will figure it out before I tell anyone.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

For me, I’ve always had an interest in music. From a young age I sort of had an ear for it. And as I got older, I started disobeying my parents by listening to bands like System Of A Down, Gorillaz, Deftones, Rage Against The Machine, and Iron Maiden. I think there were three pinnacle moments in regards to my musical development. The first was when my god fearing catholic mother found Ozzy Osbourne’s Diary of a Madman in my room, and proceeded to ground me. The second was when I was flirting with a girl that I went to school with, only to be interrupted by my friend Rob showing us the music video to “Duality” by Slipknot. (Excellent music video by the way) But I think the moment that really got me into music was when I went to audition for my schools drumline, and I saw this dude Joe rip a nasty snare solo. And I thought to myself, “Man, I have to find a way to do that for the rest of my life.”

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

For me it was absolutely Slipknot says the dude who decided to release music with a blindfold on his face. But seriously, I was actually a pretty big metal head when I was in middle school.  It’s funny, because all of my friends were into the (for lack of a better description) “emo” bands like My Chemical Romance, From First To Last, and AFI. Meanwhile I was the one dude in the group with cargo shorts, a black hoodie, and a wallet chain that listened to a little too much Korn. But from listening to metal, I discovered a whole world of music. I dove into the worlds of  punk, electronica, prog, jazz, funk, rap, and all sorts of different things. And the best live performance that I’ve ever seen was by Paul McCartney. With a close second being Between The Buried And Me.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Without a doubt, Ghostemane! He’s pushing the boundary on musical genres, while still being true to his roots. I respect the hell out of that. Not to mention, that I like his songs.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

When I started doing music full time, I quickly realized that I didn’t have a hobby anymore. So I thought, “What is something that I can do for fun that doesn’t take a lot of time, doesn’t cost a lot of money, and is something that other people would enjoy?” And that’s when I started cooking! I’m no Gordan Rhamsey, but I’m not too bad at it either!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say that my music is pretty dang weird. For lack of a better way to describe it, I usually say that it’s a mix of electronic/trap and rock, with a punk/metal edge. Or for short, I just call it “Alternative,” because what the hell does that even mean? I’ve never heard or read a comment that made me cringe. But reviewers and listeners do tend to gravitate toward my lyrics, and express a little bit of concern. Which is pretty amusing.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I haven’t really picked a full time band yet. I do most of the music myself, and my friend Dom helps with mixing and mastering. I do hang around a specific friend group of people, and I’ve had a few of them come in and play guitar on my tracks. So without giving up my identity, the simple answer is: Dom and I cook, Steve breaks out the guitar, and Noah and I are the best at making beers disappear.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I would say that it was when I discovered Ghostemane, Scarlxrd, $uicide Boy$, and the whole trap metal scene in general. I thought the whole scene was new, fresh, and creative. And it is one of the many things that inspires me to not play it safe, and push the boundaries on music a bit.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The ability to survive while doing what I love. There is no other dream job for me.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I wish someone would ask me for a music joke. I have a whole arsenal of them. The only thing that I get tired of answering is when someone asks what my song is about. I feel like that’s up to the listener. Who am I to say what it is or isn’t about?

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I once got asked to audition for a small orchestra up in Boston. I ultimately didn’t do it, because I was busy with other projects. But that same year they did a performance with Dream Theater that was recorded live. Ever since that, I try no to say no to anything.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Any one of the Beatles recording sessions. But probably Abbey Road or Rubber Soul. There’s just so much going on with those records, it would have been amazing just to see. It would mean the world.

DAN FROM DOWNINGTON LINKS:

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Category: Interviews