Rising Music Star Dani Meza of the crushedvelvets On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Learn how to say no. When you are starting out you’re hungry to be seen and to get out there which can take a toll on your body and mind. It’s ok to say no to things that might seem like amazing opportunities but aren’t the right fit at the time.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dani Meza of the crushedvelvets.
Dani Meza is a multi-instrumentalist from Southern California who has been a staple in the music scene for over a decade. Known for his soulful sound and dramatic performances, Meza has captivated audiences with his unique style. His past projects have performed at major festivals like Desert Daze and Moon Block Party and shared the stage with notable acts such as Ty Segall, Blake Miller (Moving Units), and Deap Vally. After surviving two strokes and an aneurysm he embraced a new perspective, transforming his approach to music and performance.
Dani Meza’s current project, the crushedvelvets, is a testament to his artistic evolution. Working out of Big Ego Studios in Long Beach, California, Meza and his carefully selected group of collaborators have released three EPs in 2022 and a live in-studio EP in 2023. The crushedvelvets draw inspiration from legends like Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Serge Gainsbourg, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh.
Photos by Michael Hernandez.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in the Californian desert in Indio — now known as the home of the Coachella Festival — in a household of seven with four siblings, my parents and myself.
I recall that there was constant music around me. Dad was a loud shower singer, Mom sang church tunes and Uncle had an extensive record collection that happened to land at our house after he was spooked by playing Led Zeppelin backward (the infamous Stairway To Heaven chant). That gave me my first taste of vinyl and the idea of an album as a whole.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
I can’t remember a time when I did not have music in my head. I still remember the first song I wrote when I was six. Then in high school, I found a guitar in my Mom’s closet, strummed it and realized I was playing the last song I heard on the radio. It was an instinct that made me pursue this career — it must be in my DNA since my great-uncle was a songwriter for artists in Mexico.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
When I was starting out, I met Matt Harris who played bass (The Posies, Roky Erikson, Ian Moore, Spiral Stairs) at a show in my hometown. I had known him for maybe a week and he fell in love with what I was doing musically and we became good friends. Once, he was on tour in Texas and took a last-minute flight to make it to a late show I was playing and attended straight off the plane with luggage and backpack in hand. I saw him right before we went on and he explained what he had gone through just to catch our 30-minute set. It will forever stick with me. Unfortunately, he has since passed away, and not only did I lose a friend but a music mentor as well.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Trying not to be rude and accepting drinks from people before you play your set. Mistakes were made, songs were slurred and sets forgotten! Lesson: Drink after the set. (I can’t drink anymore so problem solved.)
You are there to entertain, it’s show business and sometimes theater. Be present and engage.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
There are a handful of people who have helped get me where I am now, but the one that sticks out the most is my close friend Chris Hollas. He introduced me to a side of the music world that I would have never reached. He used to work for Relativity, Loud, Sony, London Sire, Rhino, Warner Music and SMC Recordings. He brought me into his close-knit group of friends who are huge music fans. Not only am I appreciative of that but it’s an enormous compliment that they like the music I do and the way I do it.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
With my new project, I am trying to catch up on the 6 years I’ve been absent from the music scene due to my medical recovery after surviving two strokes and a brain aneurysm in my 20s. I have one album releasing this October, I just finished recording the follow-up to that this past summer and the next album after that one is already written and ready to be tracked. Outside of that, I’m trying to include and share the stage with the many musicians that inspire me.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I think diversity is needed to inspire that individual who is creating amazing art and needs that little push of confidence to know they can do it as well. Seeing something that speaks personally to one on film or in music is priceless. Sometimes it takes hearing something at the right time that correlates with your art, culture or way of thinking to finally break someone out of their shell. And once they do, their art may influence and inspire many others.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
In music, ‘successful’ is a subjective word. After my medical stint, I had to force myself to accept new ways of thinking and be happy with change. Sometimes we get stuck comparing our old selves or what we used to be able to do and it stifles new thoughts or ideas. I stay motivated by staying active. And by active I mean, searching for new things; art, music, film, books and hearing other people’s perspectives. By staying open to things you find that obstacles are more easily overcome. Most of the time we get in our own way and that causes the obstacles. The best advice I’ve been given was to ‘get over yourself.’ Everything falls into place when it should.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Learn how to say no. When you are starting out you’re hungry to be seen and to get out there which can take a toll on your body and mind. It’s ok to say no to things that might seem like amazing opportunities but aren’t the right fit at the time.
2 . Be patient. As long as you are putting in the work and time, things work themselves out. Forcing anything never turned out well for me.
3 . Be kind. I have never had this problem but I mention it because I’ve seen so many people lose so many great chances just because they are hard to be around. Be easy to work with.
4 . Don’t throw any idea away, no matter how small. Some thoughts and ideas take time to finish. I have a song that took me 16 years to finally get right — and it is one of my best works!
5 . Don’t try. It’s a Bukowski thing but it recently came back around to me. Let things play out and don’t force your will on something that is happening naturally. Capture the natural state of something. Allow yourself to feel freely.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
I don’t have a definitive creative process, it’s quite free. I find that an idea comes much quicker when my mind isn’t focused on getting something done. As for songwriting, everything I write is within a concept. Once I know the concept it’s much easier to capture the colors and scenes that fit the story. Collaborating is my favorite thing to do because it forces me to listen. And if you have a good collaborator they’re listening as well.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
It’s easy to digest and relatable. I try not to adhere to genre, there are obvious musical inspirations but I distance myself from recreating a sound that has already been done. In turn, it becomes its own. People seem to be drawn to the sound, it’s refreshing in a sense. It may not be your typical pop tune but there is depth and scenery. Something to get lost in.
How do you connect with your audience?
I try my best to avoid social media. As much as it is used for connecting with your audience, I find that taking a little time after a show or reaching out to the local community makes much more of a meaningful impact. After all, your audience is what gets you where you are.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
My personal life is entwined with the music. With my medical history, I’m forced to take time off to re-energize and catch my breath. If I’m overstimulated or have anxiety it triggers my seizures, which in turn takes me days to recover. So I’m forced to get alone time before I get to that point. It was a long learning process.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
A movement to help any neighbor in need. If every person in a community, town or city did that there wouldn’t be a need for outside help. We would in turn be taking care of each other. Keep your eyes and ears open to see who around you needs a hand, a conversation or just a place to make sense of things. And for those of us who speak in music, share the song that makes you cry, the song that gives you chills every time you listen to it. I find my favorite songs are usually the ones others have shared with me.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I am so out of touch when it comes to modern music due to my recovery and my hermit-like existence. But I did listen to a song by a current artist Rosé, a K-Pop star, and I surprisingly enjoyed it even though it is outside of my usual musical taste. I have songs that I cannot sing anymore and I would love to just hand them over to someone like her. Also, a few rounds of Gin Rummy over coffee would be fantastic.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
They can follow along on my website crushedvelvets.com and Instagram @thecrushedvelvets where I post updates and collaborators I will be working with in the future. Anyone is welcome to reach out.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold
