Meet Danny Polo | Artist/Writer/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Polo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think that life is way too short to not do what energizes you. I had a stable career path and just kept on not being excited about the idea of simple security. I worked as a nurse and so many times encountered patients that were close to death, and would ask them what they have learned through life. I repeatedly heard them tell me that their biggest regrets were tied to not following things in life that energized them. So, I decided to learn from their advice and live life in a way that kept me energized and happy, even if it meant taking risks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s been a difficult road honestly. Artistry is always plagued with self doubt and those hurdles are something no one else can jump over for you. I grew up very conservative christian and grew up playing and singing hymns in church. I then sang in acapella groups in highschool and college and just did not get very exposed to much music in those begginning stages of life. During and after college i started developing a love for soul and rnb and the more I learned about it, the more behind i felt. I spent so many hours dissecting rnb records and learning chords and runs and textures and after so many years, i finally got it. Although I feel like I have learned so much about this craft in the last couple years, I do feel like my “choir kid” attributes still seep into my music, and it has become more of an asset than a disadvantage. My parents weren’t perfect, but they really tried their best and above all tried to be the most honest human beings they possibly could, and that also seeps into my music as well. I just try my best to be honest with myself and with anyone listening to my art. I love rnb, I love people, and i love working on myself to be better, and that is my music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly I haven’t gone out in Atlanta much! Ive had friends take me to a couple spots around buckhead that I really like but honestly when I was down in Atlanta a lot I hung around some divey spots in decatur which I LOVE like trackside tavern and moore’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my musical mentors, who are many. The biggest that come to mind are Nate Melville, Chaun Davis, Chris Duncanson, Will Bowers, Matt Chancey, and Alex Slay. Some of them don’t even know how impactful they have been in shaping the way i see and experience music. I remember becoming fascinated with rnb and jazz and how it really sucked people in to such a wonderful community. I have watched these guys and many others and learned so much from observing and also just listening to what they have to say. So much of artistry is really tapping into what others see in themselves through their art and then looking for that in yourself. Also would love to shout out my parents for putting me in piano lessons when i was a kid, i’m sure they regret it now but I’m thankful.

Instagram: @dannypololoco

Twitter: @dannypololoco

Youtube: @dannypololoco

Image Credits
Kenzie Maroney Melissa Croft Junior Francica