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Daniel's banana reference. "When you’re arrested to society, living a lie is much better than living the truth.
And when the day stinks like shit, You use your moms perfume", Daniel whispers on "Anti Social".
Many people only know him for his "Banana" craze earlier this year, but unless
you are living under a rock(pun intended), you will NOT know Daniel has a full album
out titled "Anti-social". After signing with "Hot Eye Record" Daniel manage to make his first
appearance on the charts with "Banana Boy" earlier this March. But after what core fans
call a disparaging single, Daniel decided to disappear from the scene.
"When the song took off, that's when i said I need to go back to my stuff and hopefully it will
take off as well" Daniel went on to say in his album overview.
Daniel made headlines when his follow up and lead single "ROARR!" hit the airwaves earlier
this summer. After minor success, Daniel went on the release the full album titled "Anit-social"
which went on to be praised by the likes of "Chaos" and "NME". Daniel decided to not renew his
contract with Hot Eye Records before releasing the record and til this day continues to work by
himself. While many people moved on and even went on to call him a one hit wonder, Daniel's
true fans went on share the new music with the world as it is slowly pushing copies.
After what the mainstream world might call disappointing sales, Daniel was then reported arrested
for stealing Banana's from a food market. After that, the attention was brought back to him,
when bloggers such as Perez Hilton made salty comments about Dan. According to reports, Daniel was
shooting a music video in the store without the permission of the stores manager and went as far
as stealing bananas from the market. With no surprise, "Anti Social" moved up the charts making a
Top 20 entrance on the charts the following week.
With the money generated, Daniel went on to release his first high budgeted music video for
"Anti-social" which yet again gained more controversy for including "habits" in a flash mob
scene. The track so far peaked #4 on the worldwide Top 20 Radio. An alternative music video
for "Anti-social" is expected to debut next month. Daniel went on to release more
(but much less promoted) singles such as "The Last Trimester" and "Love Isn't a Sin".
Daniel is also known for creating his own art work and music videos that are much more
organic/homemade compared to the mainstream likes. And If you think that's impressive,
Daniel's rise to success has just begun!
Hold on tight for the following interview: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daniel eating one of his new favorite food snacks.
Daniel’s debut album “Anti-social” has so far shifted over 80,000 copies worldwide. According
to Stephanie F. Johnson (Owner/president) of Hot Eye Records it is an amazing achievement.
“That is an amazing achievement for Daniel. I definitely understand his art and his movement
as a solo artist. I believe in Daniel and I think he can handle being independent very well, I wish
him all the luck!” Stephanie stated. Daniel began looking for independent labels, but decided to
continue his journey on his own for the next album. Until then, Daniel will focus on promoting the
album with Hot Eye Records who is clearly supportive of his decision. But Starting out for Daniel
wasn’t easy. Daniel first began his journey when he was signed by small record label. After
waiting patiently, the small label dropped him because they did not support Daniel’s vision and
according to sources they wanted Daniel to make an electronic/pop album. Outraged, Daniel took some
time off and distant himself from music. After nearly a month, Daniel wrote a song that
encouraged him to get back to writing “I self motivated myself. When you are an anti-social,
you have almost no other support you, so at that time I had to support myself.” Daniel tell us.
After much hard work, Daniel was finally recognized by Hot Eye Records and they offered him
a onealbum contract deal.
Did your parents introduce you to music?
Daniel: Actually no. It was forbidden to listen to music in my home, unless it was Christian
music. I had to fight for it and I never had the privilege to enjoy the music I wanted to listen
to without feeling guilty or without thinking that my mom was going to catch me. Maybe
that's why Britney Spear's "Baby.... One More Time" Music Video stood out to me?
You are one of the only few if not only man I ever heard admit that.......
Daniel: I'm just real.
How has religion affected your outlook in life?
Daniel: My faith in god is not hypocritical as it use to be. But yeah. I think that part of this
whole thing is that we are human. God is the only person that can judge me and I feel that
I shouldn’t be afraid to be myself, while still having faith. The holy bible is such a powerful
thing, that before instead of appealing to it, I became afraid it. But I grew out of that. I still
have faith and I ask for forgiveness and hopefully my faith grows in the future. Right now
I’m just completely being honest and not sugar coating anything. I’m not in the “right terms”.
How does your mom or your family feel about this?
Daniel: My sister is supporting me a lot. My mom…..not so much. We haven’t talked for a
long time.
After a moment, Daniel got up and took a look outside the window of the Sentinel building.
He took a deep breathe and sat back down to continue the interview.
So you're from Orlando. What would you say its the best thing about the city?
Daniel: Usually people will say Universal Studios or Disney World but the best thing about
Orlando is actually the downtown spot because it's not so overcrowded and I can really just hang out
and feel the city in peace. But no offence, nothing compares to New York City. But it’s definitely
better than LA.
What kind of music are you into now?
Daniel: The music that I listen to now……..Well I listen to a variety of types. I don’t want to get
into detailed of what I’m listening to “now” because I feel like the music I listen to is personal and
it will sort of reveal what I’m feeling at the moment and I don’t want to do that. I least not right
now.
What do you feel about certain songs of yours not being played on the radio?
Daniel: You know, radio looks for catchy choruses and songs that people can easily fall into.
Sort of like a “get to the point” type of song. So it’s meant to be. I have absolutely no reason to
whine or go against radio for not playing my songs. It’s understandable. What people don’t
understand is that bands do write certain songs for radio criteria if they are signed by a mayor
record label. It’s all a formula. A song can still be a pop song and still not be played on the radio.
In my case that’s what’s going to happen and that’s ok…….
Your album is picking up in sales. Do you feel as you can crossover to
the mainstream world?
Daniel: I’m finishing my contract with Hot Eye Records and I decided to just stay independent.
I definitely appreciate the time I had with them. But it’s kind of crazy, I really don’t understand.
All I can say is that the internet is a powerful thing, so I honestly do not know.
Are you currently working on new music?
Daniel: Yes. I’m actually writing for the new album as I‘m sort of going through a lot at the
moment. It can even be released this year at this point. But I’m going to support my first album
a little longer and I have many things to do on my list that I haven’t done yet. More videos and
cool stuff like that to come. I just want to make sure that I make music that inspires people.
What do you feel about people being negative to you or hate on you for your
success so far?
Daniel: I think people have their opinions and that’s completely ok. I can’t get mad for someone
having an opinion. However, I’m here to make music and share my art to the world. I’m not here
for silly little feuds. So really it doesn’t matter. To add on that. I can honestly not care if i have
everyone hate me or if I have someone giving me the cold shoulder. I've been alone many times,
for long periods of time so......
Daniel takes a sip of water from his red cup.
Daniel takes on reproduction.
What would you say is the main purpose of the “Anti-social” album?
Daniel: I didn’t realize that this album could actually be inspirational until I wrote the last song.
The album was originally going to be called” The Last Trimester” but then I wrote “Anti-social”
which pretty much summed up the purpose of the album as well. The main purpose of this album
is to reflect my life musically while expressing myself artistically and experimentally. To inspire
someone to feel good about themselves no matter how freaky or weird they think they are.
What would you say is your favorite song on the album?
Daniel: I know many artists and bands say this, but I can’t pick a favorite. I feel like the whole
album is one song, just divided into many parts. The only track that stands out from the rest is
“Eternal Eargasm”. Which is going to be my next “promo” single.
You recently mentioned on your website that you’re releasing some sort
of live show from home as a free download?
Daniel: Yeah. I’m basically going to take a webcam and an audio recorder to record myself performing
some songs live from home. I’m actually planning to do this with every album I release. I think it’s
very cool to perform the songs where they were written, and it’s going to be an amazing experience
to share that with my fans. And it’s free. You can’t go wrong with that!
Do you feel that this success has changed you?
Daniel: Definitely not. I don’t want to feel like I have a higher authority than someone else just because
I sold records. At the end of the day we are all human and we all should be respected the same way.
Which is the reason why I’m inviting my fans to my home and sort of let them see me without the lights
and the stage.
Do you feel famous?
Daniel: More people are starting to recognize me and I have people come up to me with bananas wanting
me to sign them. I think it’s funny. But I try to stay away from that type of scene as much as possible.
I sold over 80 freaking thousand records, so hell yeah I feel famous.
What is the one thing in life you regret doing?
Daniel: I know this is a tad bit cliché but, I do not regret anything, otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am
right now. Things happen for a reason, we only live once, so why regret. I like to keep it going.
You seem to have a very tone down attitude when you perform. Also most of the songs
have been performed in an acoustic sort of setting. Is that part of your album or is that
how you’ll perform from now on?
Daniel: I think performing in front of an audience with this album is a big challenge. I want to set the
mood the album has, and the mood is basically sort of haunting and painful. But I’m definitely turning
on the heat when I go on tour. The whole challenge is not to over do it with the effects, but bore the
crowd either. I want to interact with the crowd and make everyone feel special and recognized.
Will you be going on tour on your own soon?
Daniel: As of now….. no. That’s something I will have to discuss with Hot Eye Records. So hopefully in
the future. But as of right now I absolutely do not mind opening for other acts, especially
ones I look up to.
Now you know two languages English and Spanish. Do you find it harder
to express yourself in English?
Daniel: Yes and Thank you for that question! That’s one thing many monolingual people don’t
understand. When you learn one language and stick to it for almost all your life, it can be difficult
to express yourself in a new language you just learned only 4 years ago. I can say so many things
much better in Spanish. There are many high vocabulary words that I know in Spanish, but I
don’t know in English. So it’s hard keeping up with the two. But I’m getting better and I’m really
proud of myself. Not many people know two languages in this country. I think that’s why us Hispanics
and Latinos have this defensive attitude because we don’t want to come off as dumb or as
incomprehensive
Has that had an effect on your songwriting?
Daniel: Oh yes. I sometimes wonder, What if I just learned English alone or just Spanish alone?
Maybe I would be an even better songwriter? But I don’t let that stuff get to me that much. I think
sometimes it benefits me in a certain way it can’t benefit people who only speak one language.
What are your thought on the new Immigration law?
Daniel: I think it’s disgusting. I do not support it at all. It’s demeaning what Hispanics are and how
immigrants have shaped America. In Puerto Rico we experience “Aliens” from everywhere coming
to our land all the time. We welcome them to our land and make them feel at home, and if they get
caught, they get caught. But we don’t have some crazy ass law that basically makes a certain group
of skin color feel segregated. I think there are other alternatives to stopping illegal immigration.
It goes against our human rights. It’s not fair and I feel that if this law is passed down, we are heading
the same route before the civil war.
Do you think Sex is art?
Daniel: Yes, but it is often mistaken or portrayed the wrong way.
If you were to be governor of Florida, what would you like to change?
Daniel: Education. This state is pathetic. Teachers don’t get paid like they are suppose to.
The education system is an epic fail and schools are slowly getting rid of the bilingual programs
because of budget cuts.Obviously education is the way to the future. It really pisses me off that
the governor is focusing moreon how high class the schools look from the outside than what’s really
important…….and that is what the teachers teach. Teachers have lost their passion because they
haven’t had a raise in nearly five years. Many teachers are being let go. It’s a mess. Why would you
want to go 4 years in college or university to be told that you can no longer work because of budget cuts.
Well thank you for taking time to do this Daniel! It was a pleasure speaking with you!
Daniel: My pleasure. It was nice to be here, thank you really!
Stay Tuned for the question that didn't make the newspaper!
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