Danny Daze, a stalwart of Miami’s electronic music, unveils his debut album ::BLUE:: after a remarkable 24-year career. Released via Omnidisc, the 90-minute continuous piece blends hyper-focused sound design with Miami’s eclectic sonic influences, featuring collaborations with local talents. Daze encourages a unique listening experience—immersing in the album uninterrupted, ideally blindfolded. Beyond audio, a 33-minute audiovisual version captivates audiences in planetariums, showcasing at Art Basel Miami and III Points Festival.
Daze’s career, rooted in Miami’s diverse scene, reflects in his label Omnidisc, prioritizing timeless quality over chart success. As a versatile DJ, his eclectic approach finds balance between experimentation and authenticity. ::BLUE:: is not just an album; it’s a culmination, an immersive journey, and a gateway to new artistic possibilities for Danny Daze, resonating with Miami’s vibrant musical tapestry.
Among other facets, in this conversation we delve into the evolution of Danny Daze’s career, explore the immersive and eclectic nature of ::BLUE::, and discuss the unique live audio-visual experiences that accompany it.

How did your early experiences, especially discovering electro and techno in the ’90s, shape your approach to music?

Discovering this sort of music fundamentally altered how I perceived things. Realizing there existed a community where people shared my enthusiasm for repetitive electronic music and gathered to dance was a revelation. It freed me from the conventional thinking patterns ingrained in us since childhood, opening up a realm of creative exploration and breaking away from societal norms. It was a gateway to embracing new perspectives and thinking beyond the limitations we’re often taught to accept.

Can you explain the philosophy behind Omnidisc and how it guides your selection of artists and tracks?

Since the early days of my label, my primary aim has simply been to spotlight artists whose work resonates with me. Whether it’s the artists I collaborated with during the mid-2000s through my previous label “Omniamm” or the fresh talent emerging in Miami, my goal remains consistent. It’s my means of sharing the music that personally moves me while offering a stage to up-and-coming artists who might not yet have a spotlight. The pursuit has never been about chasing chart topping hits, instead, I aspire to create a catalog that stands the test of time. Each release is carefully curated, intended not just for the moment but to serve a deeper purpose in the musical landscape of not only the label, but the artist as well. I tend to challenge the artist and have them give me something they wouldn’t usually make. 

As a versatile DJ, how do you balance experimentation and authenticity in your music, and what drives your eclectic approach?

Experimentation as a DJ is exciting because it places me right in the midst of the audience, fostering a genuine connection you can feel. To me, authenticity is synonymous with staying true to your inner voice. Fortunately, my driving force has always been embracing my most genuine self, and that principle guides my actions. My diverse approach initially stemmed from necessity, influenced by the dynamic scene of Miami. Holding a residency here for five nights a week during the mid-2000s acted as a DJ boot camp of sorts, widening my musical spectrum. It compelled me to explore various styles and genres, nurturing an eclectic approach that resonates deeply with the atmosphere of the city.

Can you tell me about the creative process behind your debut album, ::BLUE::, and what it means to you and your career at this point?

The creation of this album was a meticulous process involving the rendering of about 100 ideas over a span of 2 years. The challenge was then to sift through these concepts, selecting the ones that resonated most deeply with the story I wanted to tell. My objective was to craft an immersive experience for listeners, inviting them to embark on a journey through the music. Hence, I encourage people to devote an entire evening to it, setting the scene for a comprehensive experience. My suggestion is to settle in comfortably, listen through a quality sound system, close your eyes (using a sleeping eye mask if possible), and allow the music to evoke your own unique imagery. The aspiration was always to complement the audio with a visual component, prompting the creation of a planetarium show once the musical aspect reached completion. This visual element was intended to further enhance the album’s narrative, providing an additional layer to the immersive experience.

What inspired the immersive approach of experiencing ::BLUE:: in one uninterrupted sitting, preferably blindfolded?

Two albums profoundly influenced my perception of electronic music albums. The initial impact came from Roni Size & Reprazent’s “New Forms,” followed by Phoenecia’s “Brownout.” What captivated me about these albums was their seamless, uninterrupted nature, which I instantly recognized as an approach I wanted to adopt. The notion that a listener could craft their own mental canvas while experiencing a complete body of work deeply intrigued me. This approach, allowing individuals to create their own imagery through the music, became a foundation in how I envisioned releasing my debut album. I was drawn to the idea of presenting a cohesive narrative that encouraged listeners to immerse themselves fully, shaping their own unique interpretation with each track.

How did the diverse cultural melting-pot of Miami influence the sound and themes of ::BLUE::?

This album serves as a sonic tapestry woven from the countless influences I’ve absorbed over the years. Miami has its own unique musical landscape and encapsulates this diversity perfectly. It’s an incredible place where you might catch someone listening to Salsa or Merengue one moment, only to have a car pull up beside you seconds later blasting Miami Bass from two 15” subwoofers in the trunk. This constant exposure has subconsciously shaped me, forcing an identity that thrives on embracing various musical genres. I’ve come to realize that each genre melds with a distinct part of my personality, and being able to appreciate them all has become an integral part of my truest self. It’s like each genre finds its unique place within me, tapping into different emotions and aspects of who I am. All of this subconsciously went into the album. 

What inspired the live audio-visual journey of ::BLUE:: in planetarium environments, and what challenges and excitements did you face in bringing it to life?

My goal was to get people inside my head. During the audio production phase of the album, I intentionally adopted a method where I’d step back and meditate while tracks played on repeat, sometimes for extended periods, even up to an hour. This process allowed me to observe how these songs moved within me when my mind was free of active thoughts, reaching a state of emotional neutrality. When it came to collaborating with the team animating the show, our primary challenge was often the constraints of time and budget. I funded this thing myself, so I was doing everything I could to raise the funds. I’d DJ at Burger King if I had to. Thankfully the collaborative efforts were extremely smooth so there were no hiccups on that end. 

Full Dome Show of Danny Daze’s ::BLUE::

How do you see the evolution of the Miami electronic music scene over your two-decade career, and what role do you play in its ongoing development?

This is one of those questions where I’m not sure I’m the one to be answering it. I’m not really good at understanding my place, I only understand what my intentions are. Perhaps someone else can better answer my role and how they see me. I understand that the work I’ve put in over the years has gotten me to a place where I have a platform and knowledge for others around me to utilize. Artist who have not had the opportunity to travel or have questions on how to go about moving their artistry forward is something I genuinely love to be a part of. I feel obligated to push Miami artist as hard as possible and do everything I can to help them. Whether it’s answering simple questions they have, or giving them the keys to my studio. For years I felt alone, and finally we now have a new thriving scene which has only given me the extra boost of energy to pursue deeper bodies of work.

Can you share any memorable moments from the debut of ::BLUE:: at The Frost Museum Planetarium during Art Basel Miami 2022 and at III points festival 2023, and what we can expect from your upcoming shows, such as the residency at The Frost Museum?

This show embodies the culmination of my entire career journey, it encapsulates 24 years of DJing, from weddings to Hip-Hop residencies in Las Vegas, and immersing myself in the rave scene. It encapsulates 20 years of music production, gradually finding myself and sound.
This project has left me feeling immensely rewarded on an emotional level. If I never undertake anything of this magnitude again, I’d still find contentment and satisfaction. However, this project has sparked a new sense of curiosity within me. It’s as if this project, while a culmination, also serves as a gateway to new possibilities and has fueled my ambition to dive even deeper into unexplored artistic mediums.