The Kaleidoscope Kid (left) and Dan E.T. (right) by Cory Davis/YELLOWBOX
Multi-instrumentalist Danny Torgerson says he has taken a circuitous trip through "multiverses of genres" in his musical career.
He is the lead singer of prog rock outfit Captain Squeegee, which formed in Mesa in the early aughts. He's toured with Phoenix-based Latin reggae band Fayuca and plays trumpet for the internationally acclaimed Sublime tribute band Badfish. He's collaborated with local hip-hop acts like Mouse Powell and Sincerely Collins.
Now, he's fusing all of these sonic adventures into his solo project, Dan E.T. He released his debut single, aptly named "RoundTrip," in April. It features vocals by Arizona indie rapper The Kaleidoscope Kid, melds psych rock, reggae, electronic, funk and hip-hop influences and evokes psychedelic visuals, prismatic color schemes and sci-fi elements.
Torgerson teamed up with bassist Corey Groove and drummer Gerhardt Koelsch for the Dan E.T. project. He says longtime fans will recognize the "psychedelic Squeegee tendencies" in his new sound, with fresh layers that are "easier to dance to and more groove-centric. The outcome: "Music that really gets people moving, but still thinking at the end of the day."
Directed by Phoenix filmmaker Cory Davis and shot at 1 Take Studios in Tempe, the song's highly anticipated music video is finally here - premiering exclusively through PHOENIX magazine below.
The video brings the song's psychedelic lyrics to life through "rainbow interdimensional entities," technicolor jumpsuits and allusions to The Matrix.
Torgerson says the song is about "taking the plunge out of the real world and into that existential, life-changing goop of thoughts about the nature of consciousness, reality, space and the universe."
Intrigued by the possibility of extraterrestrials, the paranormal and other dimensions - "everything that this isn't," he says - Torgerson claims he rarely encounters creative blocks. This enduring well of inspiration is fueled by focusing, collaborating with other musicians and listening to artists he admires. He counts Kamasi Washington, The Mars Volta, Fat Freddy's Drop and Roy Hargrove as some of his biggest influences. "I tap into my future ideas, jam them out with the homies or listen to incredible music," he says.
Dan E.T. will be playing with Fayuca, Diluvio and Prefect at Marquee Theatre in Tempe on Friday, July 7.
"I'm thankful for everyone that has helped me not just with my project but helped me as a person along the way," he says.
Watch the official premiere of the "RoundTrip" music video below and stay tuned for new releases from Dan E.T. later this year.
