Dany Horovitz is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for delighting audiences with his memorable melodies and beautiful storytelling through vivid lyrics.
His music often reflects his diverse cultural background, drawing inspiration from various genres to create a unique sound that resonates with listeners. Dany’s passion for songwriting shines through in each track, inviting fans to connect with his experiences and emotions.
Dany’s music has received radio play across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia. His single Free Tonight earned him Top 20 honors on Cashbox Radio. His follow-up EP, The Candle Is Worth The Game, was nominated by New Artist Spotlight for its 2023 EP of the Year Award.
Dany was born in Montreal and raised outside Toronto. His grandfather owned a record store, and Dany spent his childhood listening to old records and dreaming of making music. As he grew older, Dany began to write his own songs, drawing inspiration from the diverse sounds he encountered in his grandfather’s collection. This early exposure to music not only shaped his artistic identity but also fueled his passion for storytelling through song, leading him to pursue a career in the industry.
Dany has collaborated with an eclectic mix of some of Canada’s most esteemed musicians and technicians, including Calvin Hartwick (Daniel Caesar, Cadence Weapon), Dave Schiffman (Olivia Rodrigo, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Phil Demetro (Hawksley Workman, Our Lady Peace), Colanthony Humphrey (The OBGMs), Sean Royle (Shade), Mike Tampa (Silverstein), Izzy Ritchie (The Strumbellas), and Rudy-Ray Kwaku (Wu-Tang Clan). His diverse experiences and collaborations have not only enriched his musical style but also deepened his understanding of the creative process. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Dany remains dedicated to crafting songs that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
Modern interpretations of familiar sounds, such as melodic guitar and piano chords, popping bass licks, and toe-tapping percussion, infuse Dany’s music. His lyrics are stories of love, loss, and life, drawing inspiration from ancient poets, modern philosophers, and personal experiences. However, his music is neither academic nor pedantic: Dany primarily composes songs for your enjoyment. And he hopes you do. His ultimate goal is to create an emotional connection with listeners, inviting them to reflect on their own journeys through his melodies. Each performance is a celebration of shared experiences, where Dany encourages everyone to lose themselves in the music and find solace in the stories he tells.
Dany’s latest project, Way About You, features all of his hits so far, including the title song “Way About You.” This lively pop song with banjo highlights how much he has grown as an artist.
“Way About You” grabs listeners’ attention right away with a lively banjo sound that’s similar to Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.” It features a catchy tune and lovely harmonies in the chorus. The song started as a simple, unimportant piece, but it became a fantastic track because of Dany’s producer, Calvin Hartwick, who saw its potential. After a college engineering session where the track was played live, Calvin insisted it needed to be recorded and brought in musician Matthew O’Halloran to help produce it. Now, it’s one of Dany’s favorite songs.
The song “Way About You” features Sean Royle, a well-known studio drummer and arranger from Toronto, and Eric Vanier, whose excellent drumming added energy to the track. Sean Royle’s banjo playing added a special and appealing touch that made the song sound better.
What first got you into music?
My dad. He was always into old rock n roll, from the 50s and 60s. It was always on the radio when we were driving or in the house. And because my grandfather owned a record store that my dad worked at when he was a teenager in up my house growing up we had all these old records my dad collected from there too. And he used to play his guitar for me and my brothers. So when I got interested in music I picked up his gutter and taught myself to play.
Who inspired you to make music?
I can tell you what inspired me to write my own songs. In high school I had a friend named Stuart who was an amazing guitarist, and he wrote his own songs. I remember asking why he doesn’t play more cover and he basically said that covers are fine but it’s more satisfying to play your own stuff. So I gave it a try, and he was right.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I personally describe it as the best music you haven’t yet heard. Is that an audacious claim? Yes, but go and listen to hear for yourself!
What is your creative process like?
It’s usually me and my guitar or piano, noodling around on chords or some notes and getting a feeling. Then the feeling turns into words and the words turn into a story. Then I keep writing until the song is finished, and if I remember the melody the next day I know it’s a good song.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you for listening and sharing and adding to your playlists, and all your support. Thank you.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It’s very much that Dickensian “best of times worst of times” thing, because on the one hand there is no money in internet music and worse than that every song ever written is now accessible all the time so there are fewer incentives for people to find new music or be forced by radio to hear new music. On the other hand, there are fewer gatekeepers than there used to be and so I can get my music out there into the world like unsigned artists never could in decades past. On the whole, it is the best time ever to record and release music, as long as you manage your expectations about the results. OK could be a hassle
What is your favourite song to perform?
That’s a tough one but gun to my head these days it’s probably No Heroes Here. It’s one of the few songs where the recording is actually me on the guitar so it’s the closest thing that I have on my stage shows to replicating the studio sound. Plus it’s a fun melody to sing.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can raise both of my eyebrows independently of each other. I’d say that counts as pretty useless.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yes definitely. Mostly Beatles songs, and if I have a show or a recording session coming up then I’ll sing my own
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
I have two ideas. The first comes from an old Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. Calvin says that his mom should start introducing him as “boy of destiny”, and while I’m not doing justice to how funny that strip was I always thought “boy of destiny” would make a good title for an autobiography. My other idea is to call it “Dany Horovitz – the autobiography”, which has a pretty nice ring to it too.
Do you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other stuffed animal sitting on your bed at home?
Not on my bed, but in a box in a closet I have these two stuffed animals from when I was very small. A green bear and a brown gorilla. They don’t have names, I’ve just had them my whole life and kept them through all my moves. I never think of them but if I didn’t cherish them then why do I still have them? Good question.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
Does scooping ice cream count as cooking?
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I recently re-watched The Leftovers, one of the greatest television shows ever made. Damn near perfect. It’s about a world where 2 percent of the global population disappears in an instant and a few years later the people who remain have to deal with the consequences and with each other and with themselves. I could not recommend it more highly. The music by Max Richter still holds up too.
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