Summer of Love: “Desirée” by Dan Rico — Video Premiere; Album “Dreamy” Out Now
Chicago indie multi-instrumentalist, indie rocker & producer hits the road on July 18 supporting new album from The Minimal Beat
by Katie Ingegneri
One of my favorite things about rock n roll music is the inherent nostalgia factor. And one of my favorite things about modern indie rock, specifically, is that the best musicians fuse nostalgia vibes with genre-transcending influences and (post)modern attitude. Chicago DIY artist Dan Rico embodies this to a T, with a new album that pairs perfectly with a hot summer and functions as a comforting, kaleidoscopic escape from all the bullshit.
“Desirée,” from his new album “Dreamy,” was directed by Sean Loftus and is a classically styled throwback to the glory days of rock — but at the intersection of Elvis, Springsteen, and 80s New Wave, and, as you can see with our video premiere above, with a retro-minded video to match.
“Dreamy” is a highly enjoyable summer record built on a classic rock n roll structure, which Dan builds on with engaging elements of electronic indie pop, R&B, and even feel-good oldies — incorporating beloved hooks from influences like The Beatles, the classic “Not Fade Away” and Brenton Wood’s “Oogum Boogum Song.” What’s not to like?
Dan is taking his show out on the road beyond Chicago for the last few weeks of July, starting with Detroit and ending in Highland Park, New Jersey. See the rest of his tour dates at his website and be sure to catch him live.
Stream “Dreamy” on Soundcloud and snag a CD or tape from The Minimal Beat.
