Spotlight: Dan orlando

Written by: Chris Arencibia

Back when I was maybe 10 years old, I was dragged to my sister’s high school production of “Alice in Wonderland”. Despite her rousing performance as Tweedle Dum, it wasn’t what happened on the stage that stuck with me, but rather the “orchestra” of students who wrote an original score for the play. At their head was Dan Orlando, and I thought he was the coolest kid in the whole world. After the show I asked my parents to buy a CD and I asked him to sign it. About a week later, I signed up for my first piano lesson, and the rest is history.

It’s not every day that you get to interview one of the people responsible for shaping your life’s path, but that is the lucky position I am in today. As one of the greatest pianists you will ever see, Dan Orlando is one of those special musicians who has the power to make you fall in love with music every time you see him play live.

With a musical identity shaped in the heart of New York and nurtured in the suburbs of greater Philadelphia, Dan channels piano legends of the past with his own pop-folk twist. As an unofficial protege of Billy Joel, he cut his teeth with The Lords of 52nd Street, Joel’s original recording and touring band for the past five years.

On his latest endeavor “Heritage Trail”, Dan enlisted the help of producer Ben Jackson and co-producer Steve Cook to cultivate a Nashville sound with a northeast flair and pop construct. Recorded largely at Jackson’s East End Studios in Nashville and Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, NY, this folk-pop eight song collection lays bare the dreams of a struggling artist aiming to defy adversity by remaining true to their greater purpose.

SKYLYNE: Hi Dan, thanks so much for chatting with us! This is such a unique interview opportunity for me because I’ve had the pleasure of watching your career from the literal start to where you are now. Could you tell us a little bit about those beginnings and what started your love of music?

Dan Orlando: Thanks Chris! Those were special times. My friends and I would write and rehearse original scores for weeks, specifically for the school plays that didn't already have a score. We'd act as the defacto orchestra then sell CD’s of our work from merch tables and duffel bags. We raised a lot of money for proms, charities and weekend fun. Those collaborative experiences from start to finish definitely gave me the itch to see projects through from start to finish.

SKYLYNE: Your career has taken you on a wild ride. What was one of the proudest moments you’ve had in music?

Dan Orlando: I would say breaking in with the Lords of 52nd Street as their lead singer. They are Billy Joel's original recording and touring band. Earning their trust to represent such an important song book on a nightly basis has taken me to new heights as an artist and performer.

SKYLYNE: That's incredible. As it is with most piano players, my beginnings in music all point back to Billy Joel as well. How early did his music influence your own sound and songwriting?

Dan Orlando: When I was 12 I discovered the “Turnstiles” album among my parents’ record collection. I was concentrating on classical and jazz studies. I remember thinking “wow, I didn't realize a piano could do that!” It set a fire within me that has yet to burn out.

SKYLYNE: Can you describe your experience going from admiring a music icon to eventually touring with his original band?

Dan Orlando: It's changed my life and career in so many ways. Richie Cannata became a mentor and family figure to me, as has the rest of the group. I met my wife Sarah at a show in Babylon, NY. On a deeper level, it's connected me with the fundamentals that made those Billy records so wonderful. They had an innate, Long Island brand of chemistry that you can't replicate. There was a sense of brashness that gave those records a color all of their own. And Phil Ramone comes up a lot. I love picking the guy's brains on the road about their process, what worked, what didn't. He was a true genius with extremely high emotional intelligence. It was unexpected but I've gained equally valuable insight on the importance of a great producer in an artists trajectory.

SKYLYNE: Your live performances are some of the most impressive and electric moments I’ve ever experienced in venues. How long did it take you to feel comfortable on stage and develop your performing chops?

Dan Orlando: Thank you so much. Truthfully I've always felt comfortable in front of a crowd. But I think my chops really came along playing with a great wedding band out of New York called SoundImage. The idea that our performance was a craft meant to give someone a special day gradually took the pressure off of obsessing over every note and concentrating more on giving something of yourself, your heart, into what you're playing and singing. That's what people are really looking for.

SKYLYNE: Tell us about your new album “Heritage Trail”! What led to its creation?

Dan Orlando: It is significant in that it represents my true artistic studio debut. I've had other projects semi-released or in development that while I'm certainly proud of the results, I didn't feel connected to them artistically once they reached maturation. Sometimes complications in the release plans or creating under an uncertain environment have a way of coloring your perspective on your work. “Heritage Trail” is my response to years of uncertainty, adversity, conflict and self examination. It is intentionally a pop record for the heartland that focuses on storytelling and redemption. I was introduced to my producer through a friend of my manager at the time. He was based in Nashville. After a few meetings as a team we decided to record a single and the result was “Music In My Head”. I was ecstatic with the results, leading to the creation of the full album. Some of the songs are a few years old, others over ten. Trust me bud, I'm just getting warmed up. ​

SKYLYNE: It's awesome that some of those older songs can now have a new life in this record. Speaking of, I know you've experienced a lot in your career. What are your thoughts on the current artist experience in today’s music industry when it comes to navigating record deals, contracts, management, etc?

Dan Orlando: My thoughts are the less you focus on any of that crap and the more you focus on writing great songs and playing lots of gigs, the more you'll learn naturally by process of attrition. Don't be afraid to take risks but never do so without weighing the pros and cons. Never sign anything without an entertainment lawyer walking you through it. And most importantly, it's not the piece of paper it's the person you're signing with. Yes, I've navigated through a lot of headaches, I'm grateful to be where I am now. But no deal is better than a bad one. Never give up your leverage or be afraid to walk away!

SKYLYNE: That's great advice. Is there another piece of advice you wish you were told when you were first starting out?

Dan Orlando: I would say that if you're operating as an independent artist, make sure you're getting hard feedback from professionals you respect as early in your process as possible before investing significant amounts of time and money into a project. It will either strengthen your resolve in your current vision or spark new ideas that you may never have considered. Balance is key. Measure twice, cut once.

SKYLYNE: True in wood working and music. With your history in wedding bands, you must have a go-to karaoke song, right?

Dan Orlando: “Tu Me Vuelves Loco” by Frankie Ruiz. A salsa titan in Latin America. My wife is from Colombia so any chance I get I'm practicing Spanish. Karaoke especially!

SKYLYNE: An iconic song. Okay Dan, it's been an absolute pleasure chatting. Here’s your spotlight - tell us what you have going on and what’s coming up.

Dan Orlando: I'm opening for “Five For Fighting” on August 6th at Ardmore Music Hall! I'll also continue to tour with the Lords this year. Lately we've been playing the “Nylon Curtain” album in its entirety. I'm also playing a showcase with Randy Brecker in Long Island at “My Fathers Place” led by John Mendelino on June 1st. And for my amazing fans, I'm beginning to demo my next album called “Tunnel Vision”. Thanks Chris nice to chat with you!

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