Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Dane.
Hi Tanner, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been pretty immersed in music throughout my life. I have a pretty music mother who encouraged singing and instruments from an early age. My sibling was extremely musical from a young age and I often mirrored whatever they did in life when we were growing up. She got into theatre, so I tried it out as well. That’s the earliest influence of the stage and performing. Then we both got our respective instruments when I turned 11 years old and we quickly formed a neighborhood rock band with our friends after that. I remember they invited me to be the lead singer of the band even though I was three years younger than everyone because I wasn’t afraid to sing in front of people. Which is pretty funny to think back in considering how my prepubescent self sounded those days.
We played in bands until I was about 20 years old together when college took us all in separate directions and our longtime band we grew up in disbanded for good. At the end of my senior year of college I began to make a new group with some other longtime friends and that eventually worked its way into my Chicago-based band called, Hollyy. We’ve been at it for 6 years now!
In 2024 I finished up an album I had been creating for my solo project with the assistance of Easy Does It Records in Chicago as well as the help from some producer friends in Blake Smith & Scott Lucas (Local H). I showcased it for the President of a record label who’d flown in from New York, and boom, I’ve been off and running as a full-time musician ever since. I perform full time under my name all over these days, follow me around (Tanner Dane)!
There’s a long way to go. Every day is literally an upward climb with content creation, marketing, and tour outreach but I am thankful every day for the position I’m in. It’s definitely a dream to be a professional musician so I don’t take it lightly.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha! Nothing about being a gigging musician is typically a smooth road, but that’s also what seems to help pave your way into your dream spot – the struggles & lessons along the way. I have had some incredible opportunities come my way over the years, but the biggest piece of advice that I’ve been given and would give to others is that this industry is a beast, and no one will ever advocate for you more than yourself. So unfortunately, the work will never really end. It if you surround yourself with a good team, and keep your sense of humor it should always be a gem.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer-songwriter from Chicago, IL. I create my own songs and perform them around the country. I think it’s a privilege to be a songwriter and although it doesn’t always hand over the greatest paydays or the easiest of life takes to juggle your personal life with it is so rewarding to travel and meet the people you do along the way. Write music and perform with artists you’ve always looked up to. I’m proud that I stuck with a life of music – it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m pretty nerdy when it comes to books and podcasts. Lots of non-fiction – which has always been my jam. I tend to stay in my lane of American and/or any history, music, culture, civil rights, foreign policy. That’s truly the political science major in me.
Idk I’ve been reading a book called “It All Came From Memphis” recently and it has been a good teaching on how impactful the city of Memphis has been to the layout and culture of the States since the 1950’s.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tannerdane.set.bio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tannerdanemusic
