An Interview with The Dan Gootner Band

The Dan Gootner Band is the latest project from South Florida’s own Daniel Gootner. Beyond featuring Elie Ganz on vocals, it involves an ever rotating lineup of the best musicians in the area, with different guests from song to song for whatever is called for. After 18 years of playing professionally in various bands, this is the next evolution.

Read our full interview with Dan below.

For those who don’t know, how long have you been making music and how would you describe your style?
I’ve been writing and performing for almost 20 years now. I’ve been in all kinds of bands, from Metal to Ska, and everything in between. I’ve always just wanted to play with good people, and prioritized that over genre. But regardless of the band, I’d always describe my style as a blues guitar player. I can’t really get away from that even when I try, probably just from all the guitarists that had a big influence on me when I was a child.

Could you briefly describe your music making process?
I really like co-writing. First of all, I’m not much of a lyricist, so I pretty much want someone else to take that off my plate anyways! But I do really like the idea of having a co-captain because a second set of ears and ideas on things, a different perspective of mine, is quite valuable. In The Dan Gootner Band, Elie Ganz and I are co-writing everything, and we share a common vision, have similar tastes, and are almost always on the same page from the start. Alot of the songs originate with some guitar riff that just comes to me out of nowhere. Maybe it’s in my head in the shower, or as I’m driving home, and I have to run and grab the guitar before I forget it. From there, Elie and I sit down and work through it, until we have a full tune.

What can you tell us about your latest release, the ‘Leave it In The Past’ EP?
Leave it In The Past came out in January, and we’re very pleased with the reception it’s gotten this year so far. It’s got some variety to it. What the songs have in common, is really only that they were the next four we wrote! The title track has my sister Allison playing trumpet and my brother Jason playing Saxophone on it, and that was a blast to be able to bring them both in and involve them. Miracles Can Happen is more of a funk rock type of tune, and Please Don’t Go is more of a folk or bluegrass tune. The World We’re Living In was at some point envisioned as a reggae tune, and morphed into something entirely different along the way. We just hope everyone enjoys the EP!

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would you choose?
Mike Campbell for sure!

Do you plan to play any shows for the album?
Yes, and we will be able to announce details as things progress.

What track would you play for a new listener if they’ve never heard your music before?
Doom & Gloom. That’s where it started, the first track off our first release.

Where would be your dream venue to perform at and why?
That’s a tough one, there are so many beautiful places our there, but if I had to pick just one, I’d say Red Rocks

Which of your songs means the most to you?
Rebel Stand is a cigar box guitar song, using a cigar box guitar my father built. This song means a lot to me, to be able to take his craftsmanship and make music with it.

How has your city influenced your music?
Boynton Beach, and South Florida in general is where I’m born and raised. Being a diver, enjoying the ocean, its all a big part of who I am. I guess that has to have an impact on the music I’m creating.

How can our followers support you all?
Well hopefully everyone enjoys the music, that’s what its all about. The songs can be found pretty much anywhere, and to find out where we’ll be playing and when we’ll be releasing new music, they can follow us on Instagram and Facebook.