Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Gober.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Ever since I was young my imagination was a very strong presence in my life. Once I found music things clicked for me, turning images in my mind into sound. As I’ve discussed in previous interviews, I began in a punk rock scene and it was fantastic times to be a creative! Growing up you just formed bands with your friends and played whatever instrument that particular group needed. Musical abilities weren’t as important as having fun, making noise and just creating something with your mates that meant something. I believe the punk rock community was, and still is, very strong supporters of each other. People and artists seemed to share the same stage, everything was DIY and most of the time people wanted to chip in and help. We are all brothers and sisters and there is plenty of room for us all. I’ve done my best to carry these values throughout my career.

By my early teens I was in a band performing everywhere we could, sometimes hours away just for a chance to perform. I began as a singer in my band; I couldn’t quite get the hang of playing guitar and my band needed a singer. I was younger than my bandmates, so the band had to regroup every few years as someone left to go to college. Eventually, our final version was a trio with me playing guitar and singing. This gave me more of an opportunity to share my songwriting and creativity.

As I approached my twenties, I felt that I needed more. My bandmates and I were growing in different directions, which is natural but was hard to understand at the time. I began taking courses at my community college to explore music further. Music theory and fundamentals taught me structure and helped me understand things on a whole new level.

I’ve shared some incredible moments with different groups over the years. Being on stage with others and performing your art is an unbelievable experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

As a solo artist the road can often seem quite challenging. You have to manage all aspects of your career, which is good and bad! Time management is a big one for me. I often have to make tough choices on which projects to get involved in. With a clear vision, I have long term goals and make small steps towards these objectives. I keep my struggles at bay knowing that art doesn’t follow the same set of rules as others. Sometimes you need to go down that rabbit hole and chase an idea. In the end, the journey I went on to create a piece of music that didn’t exist a few moments ago is always worth it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I am a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and producer. I pitch music for TV/Film, collaborate with other songwriters, and I’m a hired gun for touring and studio work. Most of what I write I would consider rock music. But I’ve always believed if you are having fun then you are playing the right kind of music. I thoroughly enjoy the entire process of writing, recording, mixing and mastering. It’s hard for me to imagine any other approach.

I write in service of the song! When I’m in the studio it’s like painting. I can add layer after layer as ideas come to the surface of my mind. I take pride in my body of work that I’ve created over the years. It takes a lifetime to create a catalog and it continues to be a wonderful ride.

When I released my first solo album I created a raw sound that I labeled “Junk Rawk”, and it involved many different voices and textures. I think people like the juxtaposition of this style. My voice is often gravelly with an upbeat positive message that people seem to connect to.

Currently, I am working on my sixth solo album and I plan to release a few singles this year. It’s a fun collection of music that I can’t wait for everyone to hear! My writing partner and brother, Buddy Sweets, plays bass and together we have created some pretty special moments within these songs. Buddy is always my second set of ears and is a fantastically creative person.

Last year I began another project called “Garden of Bright Wonders”, with Walter Jones on drums and Ben Cleal on bass. The three of us grew up together since middle school. We cut our teeth together in the nineties when we would perform in the Philadelphia area. We are working on our debut EP which we will be released this year as well.

What do you like and dislike about the city?

I love Los Angeles and California! How can’t you? It has everything! I believe the “going out west dream” is still very much alive in the art community. I will always be a dreamer and California will always be in my heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dangober.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dangobermusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dangobermusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dangobermusic
• Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5b5SjQqzM6tmzn4VDZz3uz
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dan-gober/193270218