Live Life Thru Music – Hope Romine
May 19, 2022
LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?
Dan: Greetings and thanks for having me today. Well, I would have to say there is no special meaning or back story on having a band name. What I am doing at this point is a solo project. Maybe not the cleverest of ideas, but it will carry my name as the Dan Sindel group in some form or fashion?
During the corona virus pandemic I decided to 
take some of my favorite songs from my archive of demos (I’ve written a lot of songs over the years) and made a plan to hire some of my favorite drummers, go into the recording studio and put together a collection of music on a professional level. And that’s what this is. It’s primarily a solo project with a lot of guest drummers. I played all guitars and bass parts as well as all the vocals.
What we’re talking about today is my very first release of this collection, a song called “STEPPING STONE”. It’s a song that has a lot of different textures. Primarily it is a modern rock song, but definitely has roots back to the genres of the 60’s and 70’s and 80’s with good hooks, rhythms and of course BIG guitars! Gotta have BIG guitars, it’s the law!
LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?
Dan: Since I grew up with the sounds of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s coming out of the stereo, I tend to absorb a wide range of colors of music, and it all shapes my musical vocabulary. I think it’s fair to say that a majority of the music that came out of England are the greatest influences in music, especially The Beatles and Led Zed as well as DEEP PURPLE, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH etc… And especially the progressive stuff like YES, GENESIS, JETHRO TULL, PINK FLOYD etc… love it!
LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?
Dan: I would tend to think that the hardest part about being in music today for any artist is getting their music heard and getting the recognition they may deserve. And let’s face it, with today’s technology anybody can have a basic little recording studio set up in their bedroom and with just a little bit of knowledge, you can create music and then publish it worldwide through distribution services like TuneCore, CD Baby or Distrokid. That is pretty amazing, which puts this type of power into anyone’s hands, but it also creates a huge problem at least the way I see it in that now that it is so easy to make and share music you now have the problem of “overpopulation” on these streaming services. It is very, very crowded!
I went to iTunes the other day and they had some type of banners saying “over 75 million songs available for only $10 a month” or whatever, and I’m thinking to myself as a person putting out a new project, 75 million??? How does anybody rise above this? Uh, it seems like a pretty impossible task. Not unless you buy your way to the top but even having tons of money for promotion is no guarantee.
Things have certainly changed over the years as we no longer have record stores the way we used to, major labels do not take risks and foster new acts the way they used to. The internet has changed the way we listen and purchase music, (which is another topic for another day lol). I don’t really think that people tend to purchase music the way they used to. The music almost seems like a dispensable calling card as opposed to a tangible product and connection to the band/artist. For the most part all you get these days are a .jpg image and an mp3 (which is obviously invisible). Even a physical product such as a CD has been antiquated and no longer in demand. Although it is really nice to see vinyl LP’s making a resurgence for music aficionados and collectors. That is one thing I hope to do is get my music out on vinyl, that’d be really cool.
True, we do have the medium of video which is a huge thing and creates a connection with the artist and the music, that is a good thing, “extremely positive” but yeah, you have to adapt or face extinction, technology moves quick and having a grasp on using tech to your advantage is a must.
LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?
Dan: I connect with both lyrics and the music. They are two separate entities but equally important in having a well-crafted memorable song. When I was younger, I definitely thought that the musicianship in of itself had to be the more important part of the equation as I was more fascinated with the musician’s expertise on their instrument.
It took a few years, but then I really started realizing that the level of musicianship itself was not as important as conveying the meaning or message, or perhaps vibe of the song. I think the late 70’s punk rock era and definitely the 80’s grunge movement from Seattle changed all that. I mean especially bands like Nirvana, they were so successful, yet were they masters of their instruments? I don’t think so but they were writing great songs and they were simple which proved you don’t have to have “12 years of guitar lessons” or that type of thing to be in a band and create memorable music that can be enjoyed for years to come.
LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?
Dan: Interestingly enough, these days I do not even really listen to much music. I know it may sound weird and you may have heard this from other people as well, but now that I’m really focusing and trying to write my own music and create my own voice. The less I listen to other people’s music makes it easier for me not to subconsciously channel something I’ve heard and risk being on the verge of plagiarism. Lol It is very difficult to find your own voice. Even if you think you’ve created a new or clever arrangement of chords or perhaps find a few good notes on a guitar solo, and all of a sudden you start thinking, “Oh, man, that’s Carlos Santana or whatever?”
LLTM: Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?
Dan: Can’t really say there is one person I look up to in general, but I do admire people who have conviction in their beliefs and follow their goals with a sense of purpose and dignity. Success can be an illusion on the outside looking in although when you do meet people that don’t let the challenges get in the way of what they are tasked to accomplish I find that inspiring. Don’t mean to sound convoluted or ambiguous but probably best to leave it at that.
LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?
Dan: I would hope that folks could enjoy my art on many different levels especially for the aspiring person who wants to learn how to play guitar. My hopes would be the same as when I first discovered rock music and be drawn in by the power and subtleties of what the guitar can do, at this point I think that would be satisfying enough to be a conduit to those who want to start creating music themselves.
LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?
Dan: That is a silly question, lol but I’ll play along… hypotheticals aren’t really my thing but “I’d give up pizza to play with IRON MAIDEN.” Is that a good one? lol
LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?
Dan: Hope I’m even alive in 5 years, I’ve been through a lot but yeah through keeping as healthy as possible and pursuing my goals and dreams that is what gets me out of bed on a daily basis… music has healing powers and I hope I am still playing as much as I can. J
LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?
Dan: “Too much fun, too little time”
LLTM: Has the writing or recording process began for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?
Dan: That is what I’m doing right now. I am in the process of mixing and mastering my music and hope to release a series of individual songs (perhaps two to three months apart) which will be all part of a greater collection entitled “UNPOPULAR MUSIC FOR POPULAR PEOPLE Vol. 1”.
The first track STEPPING STONE has been released this week (May 6, 2022) and so far it is being received quite well and I hope it paves the way for folks to want to listen to more of what I am doing.
STEPPING STONE (of course) is up on YouTube and it would be awesome if you gave it a listen and say “HI” in the comments etc…let me know you came via the “Live Life Thru Music” website, I will say “Hi” back to you…
https://youtu.be/lT15ohzpdvE
LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2022?
Dan: No plans to tour but it is my greatest hope to be able to put an amazing group of musicians together to perform this music in venues in the greater Los Angeles area.
Dan: And thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with the “Live Life Thru Music” network, it’s been an honor and pleasure.
LLTM: You are more than welcome, Keep up the amazing hard work!
For more Information on Dan Sindel, from music, news and more click on link below https://www.facebook.com/dan.sindel
Peace, Love and Music
Hope Romine❤️