Toronto’s Daniel Monte unveils his sophomore album, NOW Part 1
Daniel Monte, the multi-talented singer, violinist, pianist, and songwriter, has unveiled his second album titled NOW Part 1. This album is an epic orchestral pop-rock masterpiece that delves into the complex themes of ethics, mortality, and ultimate acceptance.
With NOW Part One, Daniel Monte has created a unique musical experience that showcases intricate orchestral arrangements combined with catchy pop-rock melodies, all of which come together to create powerful and compelling songs. Daniel’s music has been described as cinematic, theatrical, and operatic. These are all adjectives Monte does not shy away from.
“I don’t try to write anything with a genre in mind, but my influences have always made their way into the DNA of my music. I love bands like Queen but I also love film composers like Danny Elfman and composers like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Puccini and so many more. What I write just ends up being theatrical and operatic, I don’t mind that, it’s who I am.”
The themes explored in the album are both timely and timeless, touching on subjects that are universal to the human experience. The lyrics are thought-provoking and introspective, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
The band will be hitting stages across Ontario and abroad this summer. Most notably Monte and the band will be taking the stage on July 23rd, 2023 for their album release concert at the City Playhouse Theater located at 1000 New Westminster Dr #101, Thornhill. Daniel assures his fans that this show will be one of his best ones yet as he and the band have gone out of their way to make this a spectacle to remember. Daniel’s live shows have always been known for their energy, theatrics and of course great music, this is, in Daniel’s words “most definitely one you won’t want to miss.”
Listen to Now Part One below and learn more about Daniel Monte via our 10-question interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey everyone! My name is Daniel Monte. I’m a Canadian songwriter, vocalist, violinist, and pianist. I play pop/rock music but with a twist of classical and symphonic influence. My band and I have been playing and releasing music for the past few years and we love bringing our “Orchestral Pop/Rock” music to audiences. I hope some of you can resonate with the songs I’d like to share with you!
You have unveiled your second album, Now Part One. What can you tell us about the writing process behind the release.
Whenever I write music, I just take inspiration from what’s happening in my life at the time. I genuinely don’t really know when I’ll write a song or what it will be about until I’m sitting at the piano or the guitar and start singing. That’s why I named the album “Now.” It’s like a photograph capturing a moment of time in my life. That being said, the production and recording of this album was full of mountains and valleys. More valleys if I’m being honest! Me and the band really wanted to get a raw and real sound, so we decided to record everything live. The drums, piano, and strings are all recorded for real and because we aren’t recording engineers, there was a loooot of trial and error. We played around with different production techniques and eventually landed on what you can hear today. A lot of work was put into this album and it resulted in something we are really proud of.
Your album release concert takes place tonight at City Playhouse in Thornhill, Ontario. For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in less than five words.
Cinematic, Dramatic, Theatrical, Epic
The album follows your previous release, Familiar, which was released back in 2020. How would you say your sound has changed since then?
A big part of this album and the way it sounds compared to “Familiar” is the collaboration between me, Antonio (the guitarist), and Flavio (synth and sound designer). “Familiar” was written and mostly recorded before the collaboration with these incredibly talented guys, so having them join me from the writing stage to the production stage made a world of sonic difference. The sound of “NOW part one” is definitely on the next level and we are striving to enhance it even more as we work on the next projects!
Do you have any other shows or festivals coming up?
Yes! We are playing at Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival from July 27-29 and we are playing at the Vaughan International Music Festival on August 19! But shows are always being added, so feel free to check the website every now and again for updated show dates! (www.danielmontemusic.com/tour)
Where do you tend to pull inspiration when songwriting?
I use music as a means of therapy, so I really draw from the various experiences in my life. Sometimes I don’t realize what’s on my mind until I start playing. “NOW Part One” has songs with various inspirations. From toxic relationships inspiring the song “Not Coming Back Anymore” or an inner ethical debate about whether or not all things “bad” are actually bad like the inspiration for “City of Angels”, listening to the album is like a storybook of my life and thoughts, and I hope that others can relate and join me through their own similar experiences.
You’re a multi-talented artist, not only singing but also playing violin and piano. At what age did you start becoming interested in music?
I am extremely fortunate that I have a very musical father and growing up, my dad always filled the house with music. So at the age of 6, my parents put me in piano lessons. I had a school talent show when I was 7 or 8 where I played the piano and I saw a girl playing the violin. I fell in love. With the violin, not the girl, my parents were remarkably supportive and enrolled me in violin lessons.
Eventually, I played guitar and also found the expression in using my voice. The rest is history!
Who was the first Canadian artist or band to catch your attention growing up?
To be honest, the music I listened to growing up was the music that my dad showed me. My dad is an Italian immigrant, and so a lot of the music he used to play for me was the stuff he used to listen to growing up. This involves various rock bands like The Police and Led Zeppelin but also a lot of Italian artists. The most beautiful thing about Canada is that it is such a cultural mosaic and as an Italian Canadian, I feel fortunate to be able to share this new Canadian sound born from the music I grew up with. Although it wasn’t until later in my life that I was introduced to great Canadian bands like Big Wreck, Rush, The Arkells, and Arcade Fire, I am fortunate to be able to join them in cultivating Canada’s musical landscape.
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician in Ontario?
The best thing about being an Ontario-based artist, especially near Toronto, is the diversity that this province exhibits. Going to various shows around Toronto and meeting various players inspires me to stretch into new sonic areas. For example, I met an extremely talented tabla player, Abbas, at a gig in Toronto and was inspired to have him play on the track, “More in Sight.” I’ve never even seen a tabla in person before, but the opportunities to grow and stretch musically and culturally are present, and that’s a really beautiful thing.
Last but not least, what’s next for you in 2023?
We have lots planned for the next year! We have 8 music videos for each of the tracks off the album and live-off-the-floor studio sessions we are excited to share! We are also going to spend the year working on and recording “NOW Part Two” to share with everyone. Make sure to follow us on social media @danielmontemusic to keep up with what we’re up to!