Owen Danoff – Wax Museum

By starrymag | September 1, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I’d say my sound is pop-leaning organic. The productions are all driven by live key instruments and then we use samples, etc. to fill everything out. I think this keeps everything feeling intimate and honest.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) In order of when in life they affected me: Green Day, Johnny Cash, The Wallflowers, Paul Simon, Bleachers

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Wax Museum.”

 

A) “Wax Museum” started when I was feeling nostalgic one day and thinking back on some memories of my uncle. I thought it was interesting and very bittersweet how some memories came through crystal clear while others were incomplete, but still just as precious to me. The way certain things were just frozen in time made me think of a wax museum.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Hopefully, it’s the honesty. I think even if you haven’t lived the story in the song, I talk about family dynamics and childhood memories and everyone has their version of those things. I always feel like the art that affects me most happens to be really specific to someone else, just because I can take things out of it that I can apply to my own experience.

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I take inspiration anywhere I can get it! A lot of times a song idea will come from a musical motif or something. Other times, I’ll get a concept and try to create what that concept might sound like. I also have a very long note of lyric and idea snippets in my phone I look back on from time to time – not to mention all the random voice memos.

 

Q) Mike and Nick Squillante helped with production on the track, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I’ve known Mike and Nick forever and they are amazing to work with. They’re in a band and I actually helped write one of their songs — check out “Next Year” by Running Lights! With “Wax Museum” specifically, I had put together a whole demo myself and sent it to them, then we kind of deconstructed and built it back up together. I usually come in with a starting point, and they take it to the next level.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) These singles I’ve been releasing have been standalone, just in the sense that I don’t have an EP coming out next week or anything. But I’m always working on something, so stay tuned!

 

Q) With touring cancelled, why was it so important for you to still offer performances by livestream?

 

A) In the first few months of COVID being in the U.S., I noticed a tiny shift in social media. People who never did livestreams started doing livestreams. Venues started coming up with all-online music festivals. I think these things happening on social media really help keep us all optimistic during this time and foster a sense of community. I want to be a part of that on whatever small level I can. Also, hopefully people enjoy them.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) The first two places that came into my mind are Rockwood Music Hall in NYC and Jammin’ Java in DC. They’re both places that have always been really great about letting me play there, and they’ve always been a lot of fun. There’s an energy to both venues that just caters to intimate, cool shows.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) That’s a really, really hard question. My favorite part about writing songs with someone is the hang, so I’m going to say Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I am currently listening to the new Neon Trees album. It’s been years since they released anything and I’ve always been a big fan. I’m also listening to a lot of “Hamilton” lately.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s where everybody is and I’d have it even if I didn’t have fans. It’s just a part of life, which happens to make it the easiest way to keep in touch.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you!

 

 

Stay In Touch With Owen Danoff:   

Artist website:   https://www.owendanoff.com/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/owendanoff/

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/owendanoff

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/owendanoff/

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/7umPBoDfPoLdDGMhF6X26l?si=kHlyzDyvTai0cHyA7Ns7Vg