Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan “spiffy” Neuman
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?
I grew up in a musical family that loved live music, performance, theatre, and church, so I got involved in those things as early as I could. In middle school I joined Arts Are Prevention, a program that taught kids the arts at a professional level and allowed me to start touring and recording at a young age. As a teenager I became part of the Gospel Music Workshop of America that introduced me to the music industry. I spent the second half of my childhood and the first half of my adulthood all over the country, as well as other countries, doing music, the arts, as well as the technical and business side. Post 2020 I am centrally located in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin and still do music, the arts, technical work, and ministry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The music industry is never smooth! It feels like every few years you have to shift, reset, and start over again. Never count on just one thing! That’s why I’ve always done so many different aspects– not just playing and recording music, but lighting, sound, I even worked for a museum for a few years!
In 2020 I was one of the first people in my state with no preexisting health issues to be hospitalized with severe COVID. I ended up on life support and now have several health related disabilities. I am still regaining my strength and my career. It is truly a miracle I am still here and still able to do music and other related arts.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think one of the things that sets me apart is my diversity of skill and experience. I play multiple instruments. I’ve been trained in sound and lighting design. I can also work on some instruments. I also work with antiques and collectibles, either music related or electricity related. My unique combination of skills and experiences gives me a different perspective on everything I undertake.
As a musician, I was taught, just make it feel good. If the music feels good, you’ll stay working, I also am able to do high quality studio work from home, including multi layered guitars and real (not digital or sampled) Hammond organ. That sets me a part from others.
I approach everything I do, music and otherwise, as to how can I bring joy to others. People remember that.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
People able to do what you love and survive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dspiffy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dspiffy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dspiffy
- Twitter: https://x.com/dspiffy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dspiffy
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/dspiffy.bsky.social
