Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Brenkert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

“No Limit” by Crazy & the Brains is easily the most meaningful project I have done so far. Its the first of seven new tracks by the band that mark a evolutionary chapter for the band. I met these guys back in April of 2022 and ever since, our meeting felt almost supernatural in a way.

At the time, I was starting a new editing job, taking a break from shooting music videos, and was dealing with the inevitable losses of my Aunt Dawn and Uncle Bobby. I was listening to Love Kills by the Ramones, a song that reminded me of my Uncle, as he lived a similar “live fast” lifestyle as Dee Dee Ramone. The Ramones music also reminds me of my Aunt as she hung out with them a few times through a mutual friend of Johnny’s. When the song was over it shuffled to a track I hadn’t heard before, “People Who Died” by Jim Caroll Band.

“Bobby got leukemia, fourteen years old, he looked like sixty five when he died. He was a
friend of mine. Those are people who died, died”

Hearing the name of my Uncle in those lyrics felt like a direct call from the universe, A song that champions the ones we lose and boldly faces the cause of their untimely departure. It was the anthem I needed to keep going, and as long as I stayed close to the music I would be staying close to my family.

I was feeling this void in my work however since I was taking a break from music videos. Having found motivation through that song, I felt something was telling me to start picking up the camera for musicians again. It wasn’t until my friend Jon from the band Coffee with Lions mentioned that a band from New Jersey wanted their live show filmed.

I hadn’t heard the name of the band so I decided to check out their Spotify. “People Who Died” by Crazy & the Brains was the first song that came on. I’ve had many synchronicities happen in my life but this was the first time that one of them felt like a direct affirmation that the world is calling me where I need to be. Since filming that first show, their music has brought me so much reconciliation fulfilment in my personal life.

When I stepped into the studio with them last year for the recording of “No Limit” and the six other new tracks, I had no idea I would be hearing the birth of my favorite songs. The bands front man Christoph Jesus and I had been going through a lot of the same things at a similar time. Losing loved ones, fall outs with friends, bad habits etc. Hearing the things I was going through be reciprocated by a new friend through their art, combined with the parallels that led to that moment, was a moment that still feels so surreal.

I was so excited for my Aunt to hear these new songs, and of the tracks “No Limit” was her favorite, Unfortunately, I wish she was able to see the music video I did for it. She was one of my biggest supporters, and being a photographer herself, she pushed me to take any opportunity that allowed me to do what I love.

I think she would of loved the video, and I think my Uncle would of dug the riff of the song.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I always want someone to walk away with more than they expected. There’s a saying “My life is a movie” and I want my work to reflect that feeling. Weather you’re a real estate agent, a musician or anything in between, I feel that moving imagery helps us echo our day to day vibrations to an audience. I have been creating ever since I was a kid and saw The Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time, as it helped me understand how movies are made. All of my opportunities have stemmed from that very inclination kid to pick up a camera. Having worked on everything from paranormal TV shows, to stand up comedy specials and feature length movies, I believe that there is no budget too small and no story I can’t tell.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Seeing other people become inspired or motivated through your work. I found that feeling for myself from a Family Guy episode. The episode Stewie and Brian starts out light hearted but quickly takes a dark turn where Brian questions his existence and purpose as a dog. Stewie says to him “You give my life purpose, and maybe, maybe that’s enough. Because that’s just about the greatest gift one friend can give another.” That has been my motive ever since then, to create something that helps someone in the same way this episode helped me. To help someone find a sense of purpose or belonging.

Have you ever had to pivot?

While I’m not a part of either union, the current SAG and WGA strikes represents a lot. Wages, Ai, its a lot to get into but ultimately there have been ripples i’ve seen happening for a little while the last few years that have caused me to stand firm on some morals and ethics I have. My pivot was to start investing into myself and personal work what I invested into bigger studio affiliated works.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/dan_brenkert/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBL1OL_EiXblYM0hNVXPmPg

Image Credits
Artist Photo : Casandra Marie https://www.instagram.com/casandramariephoto/ @casandramariephoto