Chango • EP.3 | DVD Concerts

DVD Concerts, Episode Three — Chango performs a Live Set: “A que vienes wey?” and “Demonomania”. He also speaks to us about his process on Dan Victor Does in his native language, Spanish. Pure Energy, Electronic Music, Mexican, Producer, Rapper… Luchador. Watch Chango on Episode 3 of the next DVD Concerts.

Chango was born and raised by a subwoofer, and bass pushed him out of the womb. Because of his upbringing, he’s been attracted to low frequencies and the underground sound all his life. Growing up he listened to metal, industrial, cyber punk and psytrance. Some of his influences include Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Isao Tomita – The Bermuda Triangle, and Nine Inch Nails.

A bald eagle flew him to New York and began playing music in the subway. He used to have a drummer, but immigration took him and ICE deported him. So he stayed and continued to play by himself. Chango hired other musicians to fill out the lineup for performances. The last shows were not in the subway, but at venues, international concerts or festivals.

Chango in the subway at 14th Street-Union Square L-train platform.

Chango is everyone. Chango is all of us, not just one person, it’s a collective of musicians and artists. Chango is a conceptual project that has the opportunity of exposing themselves on the greatest stage ever, the subways of New York City.

He is very proud of Mexican heritage and the reason why he chose to speak Spanish during the interview. I provided English subtitles in the video. There are no borders, no one is illegal, he feels very strongly that we are all connected and no one is better than anyone else.

Grateful for having Chango for the third episode of DVD Concerts. Watch just the music in the video “Chango Live Set”. Follow Chango on Instagram.

Chango collaboration with performance artist, Mathew Silver.

Follow DVD Concerts on YoutubeSpotify or Apple.

Dan Victor DoesArt + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

Chango • Live Set

Chango performs a Live Set on Dan Victor Does. Pure Energy, Electronic Music, Mexican, Producer, Rapper… Luchador. Watch Chango on Episode 3 of the next DVD Concerts.

1. “A que vienes wey?”
2. “Demonomania”

Dan Victor DoesArt + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

Follow DVD Concerts on YoutubeSpotify or Apple.

Wild Kunz • EP.2 | DVD Concerts

DVD Concerts, Episode Two — Jason Kunz, aka Wild Kunz, performs 4 songs (Joanie, The Mask, Craw and The Stone) and talks about his process on Dan Victor Does. Watch the full performance and story he shares for the new acoustic series.

Jason brings a thoughtful sensitivity to his music. His strumming is gentle and hypnotizing, setting the tone before his soft vocals lay over top like snow delicately covering a countryside. It’s a magical combination that’s effect broadens the more you listen. Wild Kunz creates a vibe that makes me remember a feeling and the story associated with it, rather than a story. The words are cues, but his vocal delivery tells the tale.

Wild Kunz mentioned Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear and Annie Clark of St. Vincent as two influences, because they remind him of an old Hollywood noir soundtrack. Although he says his main inspiration comes from dreams. Learning Banjo has given him an added insight to how he can blend finger-picking into his guitar playing. I think he is reminiscent of Nick Drake, which also has a dreamy quality.

When describing his song, “The Stone”, he speaks about how music helps him channel his depression into something positive, giving purpose in learning a craft he will use even after his mood has lifted. I can identify with this so much. Playing guitar gives me a release when I’m feeling down. Such a positive way to make the best out of the difficult experience.

Grateful for having Wild Kunz for the second episode of DVD Concerts. Watch and listen to the music videos “Joanie” and “The Mask“, two selections from his set. Follow Wild Kunz on Instagram.

Follow DVD Concerts on YoutubeSpotify or Apple.

Dan Victor Does Podcast — Art + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

Rowe/Modelo • EP.1 | DVD Concerts

DVD Concerts, Episode One — Justin Rowe and Johnny Modelo, aka Rowe/Modelo, perform 5 songs (Dry Land, Fishing For Feels, Flame and Gasoline, Cut ‘Em Off, Clever and Cool) and interview on Dan Victor Does. Watch or Listen to the full performance of the debut show for the new acoustic series.

Justin and Johnny are Brooklyn musicians that have known each other for a number of years, playing in various bands together. This project came together in January 2018 when Justin sent some original songs to Johnny that blew his mind. So Johnny  learned them and when they got together, to Justin’s surprise, played them back to him with ideas of his own. Since then, they have written over 20 songs together. After coming together on this acoustic incarnation, they decided to feature their vocal harmonies, which is admittedly infectious. It is very noticeable upon first hearing Rowe/Modelo perform. 

They talk about the challenge of practicing in the era of Covid or Corona Virus, whichever is PC, according to Johnny, he is not overly concerned with what people think. They have a nice guy image with a punk-rock attitude, even though their music is definitely power pop. It is apparent the two of them have excellent chemistry whether they are harmonizing together or cracking jokes, which they do plenty of. You can often find them laughing or smiling during the interview, even while playing their songs.

The songwriting is reminiscent of Paul Westerburg, Matthew Sweet, a stripped-down instrumentation like Guster and harmonies that remind you why Simon and Garfunkel were so savory. Rowe/Modelo‘s combination of vocals compliment each other in the way John Lennon and Paul McCartny did, without The Beatles drama.

It was a true pleasure having Rowe/Modelo on the first episode of DVD Concerts. They represent the best of what I admire in artists… talent, personality, awareness and genuinely fun to be around. Watch their live performance and speak about their process. Follow Rowe/Modelo on Instagram.

Follow DVD Concerts on YoutubeSpotify or Apple.

Dan Victor Does Podcast — Art + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

“Cut ‘Em Off” Live • Rowe/Modelo

Rowe/Modelo perform their song “Cut ‘Em Off” Live on Dan Victor Does. Watch the full experience on Episode 1 of DVD Concerts.

Dan Victor Does Podcast — Art + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

Follow DVD Concerts on YoutubeSpotify or Apple.

“Fishing for Feels” Live • Rowe/Modelo

Rowe/Modelo perform their song “Fishing for Feels” Live on Dan Victor Does. Watch the full experience on Episode 1 of DVD Concerts.

Dan Victor Does Podcast — Art + Music + Mental Health: Performances, Interviews and Commentary on how creatives achieve mental well-being through their craft. Support the podcast.

Follow DVD Concerts on Youtube, Spotify or Apple.

The Matinée: White Lighters Reunion Show In The Garden

On Saturday, August 29th, from 2 to 9pm, bands will be performing an all-ages show at The Hercules Garden. It is a community garden in Bushwick that was transformed from a vacant lot filled with garbage to a hot-bed of growth, not just in vegetation, but in communion. Located at 87A Cooper Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207.

The bands taking the stage are Necrotic Society, WildKunz, Maru Tao, Bowhead, Cursed Images and White Lighters. The show was organized by Adam Kautz, drummer for White Lighters, which will be a reunion for the band.

While much of the world is under quarantine, we suffer from a lack of connection, that is essential to the human experience. What better way to remedy the vacancy, than to share food, give back to the neighborhood and offer a location to safely congregate for outdoor events.

Wearing masks and practicing social distancing is strongly encouraged. While the show is free, there is a suggested donation of supplies including bug spray, lighter fluid, toilet paper, hand-sanitizer, trash bags, bleach, masks or paper towels. These go towards maintaining the essentials of the space.

Other events and gatherings take place, including an Open Mic hosted by Dan Victor every Sunday from 5 to 8pm. Wellness Wednesday occurs weekly to promote health and well-being, offering horticultural demos, self-defense, Reiki and Yoga classes. For more info about The Hercules Garden events, visit their Instagram. See below for more about the bands.

Necrotic Society Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Bowhead Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

White Lighters Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Mental Chillness • Live Stream Link

Save this Link — Watch any time Dan Victor Does goes Live. Same link every time!

Dan Victor talks about how he copes with Bipolar Disorder to bring awareness and fight the stigma of mental illness. He performs original songs and shares his process.

Tips welcome:
Venmo: venmo.com/Daniel-Victor-2
Cash App: cash.app/$djasonv

Also Streaming to:
Facebookdjasonv 
Twitchdanvictordoes 
Twitter:  lowprofileband  
Youtube: Dan Victor Productions

Musicductapehalo.bandcamp.com
Artinstagram.com/djasonv

Disease in Me (44) • Music + Mental Chillness

Live streaming event. Celebrating 44 years of life, music and mental illness. Performing 44 songs written & recorded by Dan over the years. Discussing his experience coping with Bipolar Disorder.

Dedicated to my nephews, Ben & Jake. Love you guys.

Streaming to:
Facebook: djasonv
Youtube: Dan Victor Productions
Twitter: lowprofileband
Twitch: danvictordoes

Tips welcome:
Venmo: venmo.com/Daniel-Victor-2
Cash App: cash.app/$djasonv

Friday, April 10th, will be a year since I was admitted into the Phyc ward of Beth Israel. It’s been quite year and I’m definitely better than I was then, but feeling some kind of way about it. Instead of letting it get the better of me, I decided to perform Ductape Halo acoustic on the anniversary.

In the wake of all this noise in the world, I am reclaiming something I lost long before last year. I forgot about the voice, talent, and passion for music within me. I put it in a drawer and filed it away. Self-doubt has stolen precious time. So, before any more time gets away from me, I’m going to perform all the hits and more.

Bushwick Open Studios (2010)

Songwriting and recording has been cathartic in dealing with mental illness, joy and pain. Music was the answer God gave me when I asked him for a reason to live 20 years ago. He was not wrong. It has been such a gift, I share with many of you.

Ductape Halo Music: ductapehalo.bandcamp.com/

Ductape Halo Band at Parkside Lounge, NYC (2010)
(left to right) Shamari Roca, Stevie Kings, Dan Victor, Michael Benham
Dan’s Apartment (August 8th, 2010)