Band Member Spotlight: Dan Victor

PRECAP:

Contributes:        

• Lead guitar
• Vocals
• Design work

Personal Websites:

• Facebook
• Blog

Noteworthy links:

• Potion Collective
• Ductape Halo
• Pine Box Rock Shop

Favorite quote from the article:

"This was the basis for our group: Talented individuals + Friendship + Positivity + Excellent Writing = Good Music."

Born Daniel Jason Victor and a New Jersey native, Dan became interested in music first through his father, who played in a blues band all the way back since Dan was a baby, so it's safe to say that Danny V has been around music his entire life. At the age of 12 he began writing his own tunes, and at 14 began bass lessons, which he stuck with only for 2 months and has been his only formal music training. 17 is when Dan picked up the guitar, which he confides "was the only thing that kept [his] interest and really made [him] happy." Though Dan also loves fine art and has earned his degree in graphic design, by his own words, "there is nothing like music to soothe the soul."

Dan has many personal projects, one of which is Ductape Halo (where he also once worked with IATT drummer, Steven Reyes), a band known for its hard, fast music drawing from sounds of the blues, punk, gospel, and of course, good ol' rock and roll. He also keeps a personal blog, Legend in My Own Mind, which contains everything from music to musings, but on both accounts, he reminds his fans that "[his] first priority will always be I AM THE THIRD!"

Dan's involvement in IATT began with his friendship with Alec through the Potion Collective based in Brooklyn, NY. Potion often holds open mic events, which Alec regularly emceed. Dan got involved with the Collective while he was having trouble with his then-current band, Tight White Jeans, and was searching for another creative outlet. At the time, he and Alec were both working with separate projects, but appeared to be on what Dan correctly perceived as parallel paths. Through their mutual connections in the Bushwick music scene, they were able to keep in close contact and eventually Dan was approached to become a part of Alec's new project, a group called I Am the Third.

According to Dan, he didn't need to think long before agreeing to join the band simply because of the impression Alec leaves on his fellow musicians. Dan says:

"1. His music is positive and infectious; you can't stop singing it. (The bridge in "Vanillas Sky" actually choked me up when Alec was doing it acoustic.) 2. Alec is a good friend, a stand-up guy, and someone who is honest, easy to work with, in-it-to-win-it, and willing to do whatever it would take to reach our goals. 3. He is a powerful performer, talented singer and had been working at this a while, same as I had been.... So I knew with our combined efforts, we had a good shot."

When asked to describe the project, Dan puts it very nicely: "This was the basis for our group: Talented individuals + Friendship + Positivity + Excellent Writing = Good Music."

Dan admits that he has a hard time picking a favorite song. "All They Care About" is definitely high on the list, though. The band has recently added horns to the track and Dan finds it "fun to play, especially the chorus." He doesn't stop there, though, as he adds that "Kill the Kittens" is "so cool [that he] almost feel[s] like we are a heavier band when we play it, plus the a cappella vocal harmony is sick." I think anyone who has seen the song performed live can attest to that as well, and this writer has personally gotten chills when the music stopped, the room grew quiet, and the blended voices rang through. Dan also really enjoys "Western Love" because "the beginning is so dramatic" and because of the way the guitar "comes in heavy after the key stabs kick it off." Finally, if he has to cut the list of favorites down, then the last he has to be sure is included is "Can You Feel It." He told me that he likes it so much because  "it is so funky and musically driven. Kat kills it on the base and [he gets] to do some cool guitar work" that he really enjoys.

When he steps away from his work with IATT, Dan cranks up tunes from such eclectic artists as David Bowie, Guided by Voices, The Pixies, Pulp, BRMC, Prince, Animals, Iron Maiden, Bad Religion, Built to Spill, and Interpol. He also enjoys music from Jesus Christ Superstar and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but he admits that these are the only two musicals he really likes.

Outside of the music world, Dan likes to spend his free time with friends and family relaxing, discussing topics both big and small, and just enjoying life. He admits that he is not always on top of that goals, but he does his best and is always driven. In addition, he works at a company that represents major talent in film, theater, literature, and booking music. You can also catch him doing karaoke at Pine Box Rock Shop (IATT's home-base bar), playing XBOX 360 (currently obsessed with Skyrim), or making art, painting, or focusing on other creative projects (such as working on some of the art for IATT).

Additionally, Dan is one heck of a cook. He loves cooking for friends and get-togethers and used to be a sous chef at DROM, a Turkish Nightclub on the Lower East Side.

I will leave you with some parting thoughts from Dan himself on I Am the Third's accomplishments and direction:

"There is a lot of honesty in this music. Alec has made things happen as a result of having this incredible group of musicians by his side, but the band and music has flourished because Alec has taken care of all the details, from getting the recordings done, to ordering stickers and T-shirts, to Music Videos. Alec has a vision, one we all share: to bring people happiness and joy as a result of our music."