Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Fitch.
Danny, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My story begins as a kid who always tried everything. I played all of the sports, I sang in all of the choirs, I made short movies, I wrote songs, I did improv, etc. So when it came time to decide ‘my life’s passion,’ I hit a huge wall. As my friends were settling into their majors in college and planning internships to set up their futures, I was still running around singing, dancing, and writing.
After growing up in Chicago, IL and attending college in Rochester, NY, I decided that snow fucking sucks so I moved out to LA, where it’s sunny every day, and everyone is a singer/ actor/ dancer/ writer/ director/ juggler/ tutor/ nanny/ waiter, etc. In LA, I continued to dabble in everything. I wrote, directed and starred in 3 short films, won a couple of festivals, but after the one-hundredth time schmoozing attractive people at Laurel Hardware attempting to fit in, I realized that I absolutely hated ’The Industry.’
I then started a company in the marijuana industry, selling a case for a bic lighter that fits a joint for sneaking weed into concerts/ festivals. I figured that if I made some money selling a joint case to potheads, I could finance all my creative pursuits in the future. I found a factory, set up manufacturing, production, quality control, etc. and even sold a few thousand units before realizing again, this is not what I needed to be spending my time on. And all the while I kept practicing guitar and singing.
Ah, music. I’ve always sang and was even super heavy in the acapella scene for a bit. My college group, The University of Rochester YellowJackets, was on the show The Sing-Off Season 3, which produced the Pentatonix. So after touring the world with a bunch of singers, I realized that ‘real’ music with instruments is far superior. I’d always played guitar casually but only started taking it seriously when I moved out to LA. I started a cover band when I was 26 and started playing weddings/ corporate events etc. singing lead vocals and some rhythm guitar. Around the same time, I bought my first electric guitar and set my long term goal of being able to shred an electric guitar solo at age 30. I put in around 3-4 hours of finger exercises and scales per day and taught my hands how to play what I hear in my head. Now, having turned 30 in May, I have not only surpassed my goal, but I’ve also written and recorded a five-song EP that I’m releasing into the world this summer beginning my 3rd decade of life as a recording artist. Finally, this feels like home. Finally, my journey has to lead me to my life’s calling of music. Fate’s kinda weird like that…
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a singer/songwriter and a guitarist, so my art is my music. My favorite genre of music to cover is classic soul and R&B from the ‘50s, 60’s at ’70s as they just had the funk DOWN. I try to keep a lot of old school elements in my songs by writing horn parts/ harmonies that sound similar to that same era. My message is that we need to realize that everyone, every single person in this whole world wants the same things in life: to eat good food, make fun memories, laugh, and spend time with good people they love and care about. I show that in my songwriting by writing from many different perspectives, showing many different sides to the same event. I show that in my live performances by dancing like a mad man. I pride myself on being a 6’2” white, cis-gendered straight man who lets fuckin’ loose on the dance floor. I hope that others who watch me can feel a similar sense of freedom that I feel when I dance. We need to spend less time worrying about how others will perceive us and more time connecting with how we want to express ourselves. And I hope that my shows leave the audience with the inspiration that they can connect with themselves deeper.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Sell your skills. Find something you’re good and sell the fuck out of it. Everyone’s a teacher; some of us just don’t have a student yet. I had never taught a guitar lesson once in my life until I had someone approach me and ask if I knew any good teachers. Now, I have ten students and have been teaching privately for five years (and have raised my hourly rate 4x over). Find what you’re kinda good at and become great at it. Become a self-proclaimed expert at something and sell your skills to those who want to learn.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Check me out, Danny Fitch, on all music platforms where you consume music. Follow me on all the socials/ check my website/ buy a ‘Fitch, please.” hat/ come to my residency at the Rhythm Room LA in DTLA for my bi-monthly “Soul Spectacular” night of classic soul and Motown. And be on the lookout for any other Danny Fitch shows in and around LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.dannyfitch.com
- Phone: 8473105538
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danny_fitch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyFitchMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyFitchMusic?lang=en
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/danny-fitch-835554738
Image Credit:
Preston Thalindroma
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