Dan Miraldi

On any channel or radio station you turn on, you’ll hear discussions of our current political climate and environmental issues from hurricanes to earthquakes. Devastating the say the least, singer-songwriter Dan Miraldi was heavily impacted by the chaos surrounding last year’s presidential election. He felt like it was time to share his thoughts on social and political issues by writing new music, resulting in his upcoming EP titled Love Under Fire.

“I have never been a super political person. Since turning 18, I have been pretty good about voting. I may have missed a local election here or there. I do not post long rants on Facebook. I share Daily Show clips that I think are funny or informative, but generally have avoided causing a stir politically,” shares Miraldi. “Prior to November 2016, I had never marched in a protest. I had never called a congressperson or senator. In 2017, I have begun doing those things.” With the original intention to release a fourth studio album, Miraldi put the brakes on it to work on Love Under Fire. The result is a six-track EP that is uplifting, hard-hitting, and relevant. - Huff Post

In a perfect world, Dan Miraldi would already be a superstar. In the real world, he's not...but that's very likely to change over the next few years. After releasing his his Sugar & Adrenaline album Miraldi released an EP of softer material that was certainly pleasant...and it was warmly received by fans. But Devil At Our Heels is a direct hit...featuring more of the great power pop that made Sugar such an incredibly great album. Six killer tracks here: "Untame," "Girl, You Made Your Mark," "Devil At Our Heels," "Asking Her To Stay," "Lovebomb!," and "I Still Wish She Was Mine." One day Dan Miraldi will be a superstar. But until that day arrives...you can be one of the first to appreciate this cool guy's unbelievable upbeat power pop. Produced, mixed, and recorded by Chris Grainger in Nashville, Tennessee...Devil is one intensely positive jolt of pure positive energy. The vocals are absolutely out-of-this-world. We just can't get enough of Dan Miraldi... Highly recommended... TOP PICK. - BabySue

Here we go again. I had an outline for today’s column all laid out, basically explaining how the major record labels are responsible for their own impending doom (will that column ever be written?), but I tossed it aside for the present. I tossed it because I have been listening to music for the past week and am overwhelmed by the outstanding music out there that people refuse to hear, all the while complaining that “there is no good music out there anymore.” I know I run the risk of having the people who read what I write ignoring my future musings what with my obsession with new music, but I’m beginning to not give a crap.


This week has had me inundated in music that not only is good but is as good as any music I’ve heard, and that includes The Beatles and Springsteen and every other superstar artist/group you can think of. I firmly believe that it is time people stop comparing today’s music to that which has already gained classic status in their heads and begin listening to the music that is right there in front of them.

Let us start with my latest discovery, one Dan Miraldi, who has done something that few can do. He has taken practically every pop lick there is and put them together into not just some outstanding songs, but into an outstanding album. Hear me here. Out. Standing. Do you have any idea how many outstanding “up” albums there are out there? Not enough, I can tell you that. If you don’t know what “up” is, substitute “feel good” or even “sunshine”, though that last term has been somewhat co-opted by genre nitpickers. But you hopefully get the idea.

Miraldi, fronting an exceptional band calling themselves The Albino Winos, has put together an incredible array of originals which, in a way, aren’t. Now, I know what some of you are thinking. Nothing original. Not a note which hasn’t been played before. Well, guess what? You can put that tag on everyone, Beatles included. What? You think one note on any of their albums was original? Then you’re delusional. What was amazing about The Beatles was how they wove those unoriginal notes into sounds which even the tone deaf couldn’t help hearing. It is magic, of a sort, and Miraldi weaves it, too.

The very first thing that went through my mind upon hearing him, in fact, was “nothing original.” It didn’t last long, though. One time through Sugar & Adrenaline and I found myself listening to it again. Then again. And then again. I have never been into drugs, but perhaps this is what it’s like. I haven’t stopped playing this the entire weekend, recycling it beneath a string of writing and household projects, and even though it still sounds like so many things I’ve heard before, I can’t stop listening.

My favorite songs are varied depending upon energy and mood but I can safely say that there is not a clunker in the bunch. For the smoother side of rock and pop, Helen of Troy (“Helen of Troy, I’d start a war for you/And Cleopatra, I’d burn Rome down too”) absolutely floors me, the chorus and harmonies totally ear-catching. Then there is The Many Shades of Blue, starting off folk-like with beautiful verse and giving way to a totally different movement which ups the ante manyfold. Did I mention outstanding? Set yourself because Vampire Girl is straight ahead rock and roll with a New Wave twist and a guitar break which is all too short. Road Warrior is as up as it gets, part Marshall Crenshaw and part John Denver with a slight touch of Del Shannon.

And if that isn’t enough, Miraldi dips into Costelloland, coming up with the very Elvis Costello-ish Record Collection, a pop/punk homage to the importance of such a thing (record collection, that is). I can see Miraldi (or Costello) with hands palm up, going “Get laid”, “Music”, “Get laid”, “Music”, looking at each hand in turn, because this song is my life in a nutshell. And I, like Miraldi, chose my record collection more often than not.

Miraldi has a real winner here and a cer - Don't Believe A Word I Say

Summertime is approaching and with it comes the sweet sounds of rock and roll.
For Avon resident Dan Miraldi, that’s especially true.
He and his band just returned from a brief tour of the South. It was fun and new, Miraldi said, and he’s never felt better about the direction of his music.
“Rock and Roll Band!” is his latest EP, released last fall and available through Amazon and iTunes. With a lineup of solid musicians backing him up, Miraldi’s songwriting is taking bolder steps, drawing on a blend of 1960s Americana pop and more contemporary rockers like Jack White and Bruce Springsteen.
“With each album, I’ve learned something new,” Miraldi said. Those musical lessons have come with a bigger sound, he said, along with a penchant for experimentation and, most of all, a strong desire to have fun.
His days of rock and roll began when he was a student at Avon High School.
“I knew that I wanted to write songs. And I knew that I wanted to record songs,” Miraldi said. He attended the College of Wooster and graduated in 2009. Along the way, however, he realized that now, more than ever, is the time to pursue his dream of rock and roll.
Two albums followed and his most recent EP continues the trend of promoting the summery sounds of rock and roll and the freedom that accompanies that feeling. For Miraldi, it’s sort of an autobiographical expression.
“The thing that makes me happiest is writing music and performing music,” Miraldi said. “It’s been a journey.” - Sun Sentinel/ Cleveland.com

Singer-guitarist Dan Miraldi isn't exaggerating when he says he has a wide range of musical interests. At one moment, he's talking about how inspirational it was to see Paul McCartney play Gund Arena and the next he's rhapsodizing about a particularly powerful White Stripes show he witnessed at the Agora Theatre. And that's not to mention his love for emo act Fall Out Boy and folk icon Bob Dylan.

All those influences mingle together nicely on his latest effort, Rock N Roll Band!, a terrific five-song EP that adroitly veers from the pure power-pop sound of "You've Got to Hurry" to the snappy, retro-leaning vibe of "Give & Take," all the while establishing Miraldi as an up-and-coming act on the local scene.

"I started out listening to Elvis when I was 8 years old. Elvis and the Beatles were what I listened to during elementary school. I still love them both," says the 25-year-old. "Then, I got into the Rolling Stones and Green Day and the White Stripes in high school. I also like Motown and indie rock. I'm just mixing all those things together, and I don't know exactly what will come out."

If that means it's impossible to classify Miraldi's music, then so be it. Miraldi, a straight-laced, clean-cut guy who looks as if he could be a cast member on the TV show Glee, says a common theme links his varied musical impulses.

"I feel like, overall, the music always sounds joyful," says Miraldi, who plays the Grog Shop on Feb. 12. "People pick up on that, and if they enjoy the joyfulness of the music, they'll like the songs, even if they like some songs better than others."

Miraldi's history as a musician is just as eclectic as his tastes. He began playing pop-punk with Exit Suburbia, a band he formed while he was a senior at Avon High School. By his sophomore year at the College of Wooster, that act dissolved, and he formed The Cherry Flavored Elevator, a group he says was "much more pop influenced."

When he finished college, Miraldi started yet another project, but this time he simply deemed it a solo project, issuing his solo debut, Thirsty, in 2009 and quickly following it up with two EPs, 2010's Tease and the aforementioned 2011 effort Rock N Roll Band! The Tease EP yielded the track, "The Holy Roller Stone Revival," a finalist for "Best Rock Song" in the international John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Although the track didn't win, it did place in the top five, giving Miraldi the motivation to keep honing his songwriting skills.

"I have all the songs written for my next album, and the band is slowly starting to work them into the live set," he says, adding that he's hoping to put together a summer tour. "I think it will have a big sound. But it's not going to be totally, radically different. It won't be like I went all bluegrass or metal." - Cleveland Magazine

Singer-guitarist Dan Miraldi isn't exaggerating when he says he has a wide range of musical interests. At one moment, he's talking about how inspirational it was to see Paul McCartney play Gund Arena and the next he's rhapsodizing about a particularly powerful White Stripes show he witnessed at the Agora Theatre. And that's not to mention his love for emo act Fall Out Boy and folk icon Bob Dylan.

All those influences mingle together nicely on his latest effort, Rock N Roll Band!, a terrific five-song EP that adroitly veers from the pure power-pop sound of "You've Got to Hurry" to the snappy, retro-leaning vibe of "Give & Take," all the while establishing Miraldi as an up-and-coming act on the local scene.

"I started out listening to Elvis when I was 8 years old. Elvis and the Beatles were what I listened to during elementary school. I still love them both," says the 25-year-old. "Then, I got into the Rolling Stones and Green Day and the White Stripes in high school. I also like Motown and indie rock. I'm just mixing all those things together, and I don't know exactly what will come out."

If that means it's impossible to classify Miraldi's music, then so be it. Miraldi, a straight-laced, clean-cut guy who looks as if he could be a cast member on the TV show Glee, says a common theme links his varied musical impulses.

"I feel like, overall, the music always sounds joyful," says Miraldi, who plays the Grog Shop on Feb. 12. "People pick up on that, and if they enjoy the joyfulness of the music, they'll like the songs, even if they like some songs better than others."

Miraldi's history as a musician is just as eclectic as his tastes. He began playing pop-punk with Exit Suburbia, a band he formed while he was a senior at Avon High School. By his sophomore year at the College of Wooster, that act dissolved, and he formed The Cherry Flavored Elevator, a group he says was "much more pop influenced."

When he finished college, Miraldi started yet another project, but this time he simply deemed it a solo project, issuing his solo debut, Thirsty, in 2009 and quickly following it up with two EPs, 2010's Tease and the aforementioned 2011 effort Rock N Roll Band! The Tease EP yielded the track, "The Holy Roller Stone Revival," a finalist for "Best Rock Song" in the international John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Although the track didn't win, it did place in the top five, giving Miraldi the motivation to keep honing his songwriting skills.

"I have all the songs written for my next album, and the band is slowly starting to work them into the live set," he says, adding that he's hoping to put together a summer tour. "I think it will have a big sound. But it's not going to be totally, radically different. It won't be like I went all bluegrass or metal." - Cleveland Magazine

Waveriders, when I learned that Dan Miraldi had a new EP out and that I would get to listen to it, I got excited. I loved his last EP Tease thanks to its three wonderful, retro-tastic songs. Needless to say my expectations for this new music were high, and I’m very happy to report that Mr. Miraldi’s new release picks up right where Tease left off. Vintage rock/pop fans rejoice!

Rock N Roll Band! offers up five terrific songs that evoke all the same feelings you get from listening to classic rock and pop from the 60s and 70s. There are newer influences at work as well, especially in EP opener “We Both Know”, but overall there is an undeniable innocence and genuine purity on display that is notably absent in a lot of modern music. These songs are upbeat and fun to listen to both musically and lyrically. My personal favorite track is “You’ve Got To Hurry”, an upbeat bouncy number with good vibes to spare. The title track is a very entertaining excursion into Mr. Miraldi’s recent musical history. EP closer “Give & Take” is a rollicking version of the classic guy wants girl who wants different guy storyline featuring some very clever and witty lyrics such as ‘why should we go to a party when you only use my heart for karate’. Ha! Love it!

The only problem (and I do mean the only problem) is that this EP ends way too quickly! Seriously, every time I listen to Rock N Roll Band! I look expectantly at the speakers in silent entreaty for more musical goodness after it ends. Alas, the speakers never answer and I’m forced to hit the play button again. Waveriders, do yourselves a favor and check out Dan Miraldi. I guarantee your days will be lighter and brighter when you hear this music. - The Ripple Effect

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Dan Miraldi supports his new EP "Rock N Roll Band" with a Christmas variety show booked at the Beachland Tavern. Also, Medina County rock trio Pilgrim explores its Americana side with a show at the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall.
After leaving Washington, D.C., band The Silver Liners last summer to fully concentrate on his solo career, Dan Miraldi recently released new EP "Rock N Roll Band" and is looking toward his future. "The EP's style sort of has a retro vibe, a little bit of power-pop," said Miraldi, 25, a 2009 Wooster College graduate. "Some of the songs have a little bit of White Stripes, some have a little bit of a Raspberries feel, but it's a fun collection of songs. With the EP, I think it's easier to introduce people to the music because the length is shorter." After completing his first East Coast tour this year, Miraldi is focused on an upcoming holiday show he's putting on with local act Attack Cat.

"It has a theme of an old-time Christmas variety show where Attack Cat and myself will be the emcees, and we'll also have some guests," Miraldi said. "We'll be doing holiday songs, mainly acoustic, and bringing up people to do one or two songs from the musical community. There will also be something fun like a bad Christmas sweater contest."

The Holiday Sing-A-Long with Attack Cat and Dan Miraldi & The Albino Winos is at 7 Friday at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. Also on the bill are special guest musicians from The Hearts, Lions From Ohio, Matt Hectorne & The Family Tree, Rob Dusky & The Rounders, Tinamou and Dave Hammer's Power Supply. Cover is $7 ($5 with donation of winter outerwear). Call 216-383-1124. - Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com

With the release of his latest disc, Rock N Roll Band! Singer/songwriter Dan Miraldi is looking to introduce as many people as possible to his unique indie rock/pop rock sound. The most interesting part of this record is the variety of the sounds found throughout. One can hear hints of Beach Boys melodies, indie rock, and punk rock and even a bit of soul all adding up to an incredibly fun enjoying record. Here is what Miraldi had to say.

Besides guitar what other instruments do you play?
Dan: My primary instrument has been my voice but on the new record I sing, play rhythm guitar and keyboards. However, I can play bass and basic drums, but, for the most part, the only people who get to hear me play those instruments are the people in my band when I give them demos of new songs.

Do you remember the first song you played on the guitar?
Dan: I remember that a lot of the first chords came from learning Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man."

Now that your new disc, Rock N Roll Band, is complete. How do you feel about it and are you satisfied with the outcome?
Dan: I am very satisfied with the way it turned out. I like the performances and how Jim McKell (the engineer and co-producer) mixed it. I feel like it has an old-school rock n roll energy without sounding dated. It embraces vintage and modernity at the same time.

How quick are you in the studio?
Dan: We were very quick. We recorded the EP at Jim McKell’s studio in Atlanta. We scheduled three days for recording. Everyone was very focused. We knew the songs – we had played them live for the last few months. On the first day, we had most of the bass, drums and rhythm guitar tracks down before we went to lunch. The rest of the time was spent getting the vocals, other guitar parts, keys and percussion, and getting basic mixes to ensure everything we’d put down was right.

Do you decide on a suitable sound fairly quickly, or do you tend to tweak tones obsessively?
Dan: I rarely get too obsessive with tones, but I usually know what I want.

What's your musical background? Do you have any formal training?
Dan: I have been singing all of my life. I took voice lessons regularly when I was in third and fourth grade, but singing rock n roll music was something I learned by listening to Elvis and Beatles records. I am self-taught at guitar, but I started playing late. At the end of high school, the guitarist in my band was going to school in Colorado, so I knew that if I wanted to continue writing music and playing, I'd have to learn how to accompany myself. I took piano lessons throughout elementary school, but stopped playing for a while and started playing again when I was learning guitar.

Any rituals before you hit the stage? If so what are they?
Dan: We don't have any crazy pre-stage rituals, but, when we were on tour this summer, we had quite a few long drives to clubs and en route we'd listened to comedy albums, mainly Jim Gaffigan, Steve Martin and David Sedaris. That became the tradition going from city to city. It kept everyone in a good mood.

Who are your biggest influences on your playing?
Dan: The big ones are the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the White Stripes, Bob Dylan, the Format, the Beach Boys, Green Day, Blink-182, the Velvet Underground and Elvis.

Check out the song: "Premonition"
- Pure Grain Audio

Pure rock’n’roll: het is alweer een tijdje geleden dat we hier nog zo’n plaat voorgeschoteld hebben gekregen. Cleveland, Ohio’s zanger en songschrijver Dan Miraldi is een artiest die de simpele rock and roll-deuntjes uit de jaren ’60 en ’70 op zijn netvlies heeft laten branden en er zelf ook graag mee aan het werk is gegaan. De in Cleveland gevestigde ‘Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’ is dan ook doorheen heel zijn leven een vaak door hem bezochte museum en oord vol relikwieën gebleken.

“Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” is de titel van een vijf nummers tellend ep-tje dat Dan Miraldi onlangs heeft gereleased en dat hij in de studio heeft opgenomen met de hulp van bassist Joe LaGuardia, drumster Sarah Luffred en leadgitarist Alex Bowers, een trio dat zich groepeert onder de naam ‘The Albino Winos’.

Het gaat om eigen composities waarin de invloeden van muzikale voorbeelden als ‘Green Day’, ‘The Ramones’ en ‘The Rolling Stones’ overduidelijk hoorbaar aanwezig zijn. In de amper 2 minuten en 20 seconden durende song “You’ve Got To Hurry” klinkt de stem van Dan Miraldi zelfs een beetje als die van Mick Jagger, met het wat hoekerige zingen en de bijhorende repetitieve songtekst.

Ook de overige vier nummers klokken af rond de drie minuten, iets wat blijkbaar een vereiste lijkt te zijn voor rock’n’roll-liedjes. In “Mystical Queen” horen we een leuke, catchy melodie en een zorgvuldig verzorgde instrumentatie en in de titeltrack “Rock ’N’ Roll Band” zit net als in slotsong “Give & Take” ook al zo’n catchy beat plus in harmonie met de overige bandleden gezongen Beatlesque melodie.

Dan Miraldi studeerde in 2009 af en koos daarna resoluut voor een muziekcarrière. Midden vorig jaar lanceerde hij met “Thirsty” zijn officiële debuutplaat en de 5 liedjes op dit ep-tje zullen de voorbode moeten voorstellen voor zijn volgende studioalbum dat er wellicht begin volgend jaar moet aankomen.
- Rootstime.be

Pure rock’n’roll: het is alweer een tijdje geleden dat we hier nog zo’n plaat voorgeschoteld hebben gekregen. Cleveland, Ohio’s zanger en songschrijver Dan Miraldi is een artiest die de simpele rock and roll-deuntjes uit de jaren ’60 en ’70 op zijn netvlies heeft laten branden en er zelf ook graag mee aan het werk is gegaan. De in Cleveland gevestigde ‘Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’ is dan ook doorheen heel zijn leven een vaak door hem bezochte museum en oord vol relikwieën gebleken.

“Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” is de titel van een vijf nummers tellend ep-tje dat Dan Miraldi onlangs heeft gereleased en dat hij in de studio heeft opgenomen met de hulp van bassist Joe LaGuardia, drumster Sarah Luffred en leadgitarist Alex Bowers, een trio dat zich groepeert onder de naam ‘The Albino Winos’.

Het gaat om eigen composities waarin de invloeden van muzikale voorbeelden als ‘Green Day’, ‘The Ramones’ en ‘The Rolling Stones’ overduidelijk hoorbaar aanwezig zijn. In de amper 2 minuten en 20 seconden durende song “You’ve Got To Hurry” klinkt de stem van Dan Miraldi zelfs een beetje als die van Mick Jagger, met het wat hoekerige zingen en de bijhorende repetitieve songtekst.

Ook de overige vier nummers klokken af rond de drie minuten, iets wat blijkbaar een vereiste lijkt te zijn voor rock’n’roll-liedjes. In “Mystical Queen” horen we een leuke, catchy melodie en een zorgvuldig verzorgde instrumentatie en in de titeltrack “Rock ’N’ Roll Band” zit net als in slotsong “Give & Take” ook al zo’n catchy beat plus in harmonie met de overige bandleden gezongen Beatlesque melodie.

Dan Miraldi studeerde in 2009 af en koos daarna resoluut voor een muziekcarrière. Midden vorig jaar lanceerde hij met “Thirsty” zijn officiële debuutplaat en de 5 liedjes op dit ep-tje zullen de voorbode moeten voorstellen voor zijn volgende studioalbum dat er wellicht begin volgend jaar moet aankomen.
- Rootstime.be

inger-songwriter Dan Miraldi is afkomstig uit Cleveland, Ohio dat ook wel eens de hoofdstad van de rock-’n-roll wordt genoemd. Het is tevens ook de thuishaven is van de Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Dan Miraldi werd beïnvloed door ondermeer The Beatles, Elvis, The Stones, Dylan, The Ramones en The White Stripes. Met deze mix van de klassieke en huidige muziekvorm imponeert Dan ons meteen met een unieke sound. Op het album prijken slechts vijf tracks, die allen door Dan op papier werden gezet. Toch klinken heel wat nummers ons bekend in de oren. Samen met Sarah ‘Luf’ Luffred op drums, Joe LaGuardia met de baslijnen en Alex Bowers met lead gitaar, neemt Dan Miraldi met de zangpartijen, keyboards en gitaar onvoorwaardelijk het voortouw. De band creëert een popsound met een uiterst gezellige garagerock vibe. Vooral de backingvocals (lees samenzang), de lichte melodielijnen en de gepassioneerde teksten zorgen voor een credo in het zware muzieklandschap. - Keys and Chords

Rock
Dan Miraldi has been in Cleveland-based bands such as Cherry Flavored Elevator and Exit Suburbia prior to his stint in the DC band, The Silver Liners. His musical style was forged by listening to Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and modern day acts such as the Format, White Stripes, and Green Day. We covered his debut 2010 EP, “Tease” (see here), which has done as well as we predicted. “Tease” and “Lucinda” received radio airplay from Boston to Cleveland, and our favorite track, “The Holy Roller Stone Revival”, became a finalist for the best rock song in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition.

Teaming once again with award-winning producer Jim McKell, and his live band the Albino Winos, Miraldi is back with his follow up EP, “Rock N Roll Band”. The 5 song record kicks off with a smoldering rocker in “We Both Know” – it is crunchy but slow, and the song didn’t excite me. Much better is the Jagger styled swagger of “You’ve Got To Hurry” – a perfect radio-friendly anthem with a bluesy vibe and solid melody – easily my favorite on the EP. The 60s retro rock sound continues in the Orbison-flavored “Mystical Queen”. The title track is propelled by handclaps and a 50s backbeat, sounding like a lost feel good track from “That Thing You Do!”. The amusing charm of “Give & Take” rounds things out with lines like “you only use my heart for karate” to become a song that Dion and the Belmonts would have been proud to perform.

Miraldi further whets the appetite for a full-length release with his new EP. His lyrics are whimsical fun, much like the retro beats that infiltrate the song structure he favors. Imagine if Bob Dylan and Elvis started a band together, then you’d have a pretty good idea as to what Dan Miraldi is all about.
- Now This ROCKS!

Dan Miraldi cites varied influences like Elvis Presley, The Ramones and The White Stripes. His sound is a little pop, a little rock and a lot of energetic fun. Dan has played with a few bands, including being a founding member of the Washington , D.C. area band The Silver Liners.

Dan has an all new EP out. It is called Rock N Roll Band! Dan hails from the Cleveland area so the title is very appropriate. The EP has five songs and was produced by Dan and Jim McKell.

Along with singing the lead vocals, Dan plays guitar, organ and does percussion on the EP.

Dan had some help on the EP. He gathered up the people who were in his backing band, the Albino Winos. Joe LaGuardia was on bass. Joe has gained popularity in the Cleveland area band Motter Flynn. Then there is another regional performer on lead guitar and backing vocals. This would be Alex Bowers. And drummer Sarah “Luf” Luffred has played with bands like You're Among Friends, played alongside Dan in a band called Cherry Flavored Elevator and, like the other members of Albino Winos, has been a part of Dan's earlier solo efforts.

We Both Know is the first song on the EP. It starts out with moody, anthem like music. Then it moves into a slow, moderate pace with vocals that has a slight achy edge to them.

The next song is a fun, toe-tapping, hip swaying tune called You've Got To Hurry. There is good guitar and the backing vocals fit well with Dan's solid vocals. The song kind of made me think of both early ‘80's easy rock and ‘70's bubble gum pop.

Mystical Queen has an almost sock-hop, Beach Boys sound in parts.

And the song that follows definitely fits into the sock-hop, 50's & ‘60's rock style. It is the title track, Rock N Roll Band! It is a smile effecting tune with good vocals by Dan, cool music and very, very good choral sounding backing vocals.

The fifth and final track on the EP is Give & Take. It is another good song with solid music and vocals. The lyrics are funny too, with Dan singing about why he and his girl should go to a party “when you only use my heart for karate.”

Fun, smile effecting lyrics and hip-swaying, toe-tapping music is the mainstay of Dan Miraldi's style of rock. I really enjoyed the EP, as it dipped into the vast well of rock-n- roll history and came up with a sound that spans several decades of great pop and rock music.

You will find Dan's official web site at http://danmiraldi.com/index.html . There you can hear samples of Dan's music as well as show times and locations and other information.
- BVS Reviews

FILE UNDER: Rock 'n' roll that will make you smile and dance
LATEST RELEASE: "Rock N Roll Band" EP
SOUND BITE: "In the song 'Rock N Roll Band,' I was trying to channel the Raspberries," says singer-guitarist Miraldi, whose live band, the Albino Winos, includes Alex Bowers (guitar), Joe LaGuardia (bass) and Sarah "Luf" Luffred (drums). "I love the way the Raspberries blended the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Who. The song is about the fun of starting a band. Being a musician can be a frustrating occupation. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't want to do anything else."
CHECK 'EM OUT: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at House of Blues (in Cambridge Room), East Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue, Cleveland (216-523-2583)
ONLINE: danmiraldi.com - The Plain Dealer

First impressions can be deceiving. That’s what happens every time I put on Dan Miraldi’s recordings. I think, what was it again I liked so much about this? After all it could sound just like one a million other bands with a couple of days in the studio, striving for that “live-off-the-floor” sound, wavering vocals and hand claps.

Except it isn’t that. No, it is not like that at all. Sure, there is enough gee-whiz callbacking to 50's doo wop to exhume Eddie and all the Cruisers, except that there is real sincerity here, not kitschy self-conscious gimmickery. There is real song writing, playing, melody writing. In other words, all of the above suspicions and wariness fade away after ten seconds, presumably as long as it takes to dissolve the jadedness and cynicism, and then you find your head stuck deep inside the speaker cone, wanting to rock the fuck out with some seriously catchy, smacking Rock’n'Roll from some young’uns still full of piss and vinegar from the Rock’n'Roll capital of the world.

I won’t bother to start pulling out lazy comparisons like Ramones, Stooges or *gasp* Strokes, (shit sometimes it suggests the best of Phoenix, or even even stranger – Bowie, Smiths or Queen) because they are only similar in energy and catchiness. In fact, within four or five songs, you will hear all manner of styles, not only three-chord rock, whose only constant is Miraldi’s charismatic voice which quivers and wobbles with intention, and generally just great songwriting. A promising act to keep your ears on.

Here is what the kid had to say for himself:

MZ: Who?
My name is Dan Miraldi. I am 24 years old.

When I play out live, it’s Dan Miraldi & the Albino Winos, which features:

Dan Miraldi: lead vocals, guitar, keys
Alex Bowers: lead guitar & backing vocals
Joe LaGuardia: bass & backing vocals
Sarah Luffred: drums & backing vocals

MZ: What?
I am currently promoting my new EP Tease. The EP was released this fall and is being distributed through itunes, amazon and CD Baby.

MZ: Where?
My band and I operate out of the charming city of Cleveland, OH.

MZ: Why?
Why Cleveland? Because it’s a totally under-rated city.

Why have I chosen this path? Most college graduates graduate having no clue as to what they really want to do with their lives, let alone what to do with their degree. When I graduated (with a degree in English), I knew that I wanted to be a rock n roll singer.

I knew it when I was eight-years-old, the first time I saw Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas, and when I heard the Beatles singing “Do You Want To Know A Secret” on the oldies station.

I knew it when I was nearly arrested at age fifteen, having successfully gotten past security to meet one of the Rolling Stones. You get one life. The music and the band is me living mine.

MZ: Until When?
For as long as I can get along with it or until I stop finding this to be a fulfilling career choice.

Vital Links:
Official Site: http://danmiraldi.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Miraldi/92871602379
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/danmiraldi
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/danmiraldi
CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DanMiraldi

Listen now to “The Holy Roller Stone Revival” by Dan Miraldi at MusicZeitgeist.com’s free Indie Music Jukebox - MusicZeitgeist.com

It’s hard for any contemporary band to operate outside the influence of the Sixties, one of the most musically revolutionary periods of the century—and Dan Miraldi, a Northeast Ohio native who recently released Thirsty, his debut album, is no exception. The influence isn’t just unmistakable in the songs themselves, from the folksy Beatles-esque sound of “More Than Yesterday” to the Elvis-style rockabilly of “More and More”: the idealism of the decade also styles the way Miraldi positions himself as a singer and, ultimately, how his music affects those who’re listening.

“I try to make my music joyful,” says Miraldi. “Sometimes I’ll address certain political issues, but usually I just want to make people feel good. I want to create an environment where people get along and want to be nice to each other.”

Maybe it won’t solve any traffic jams, but the album does make you feel good. The almost hypnotic, sweet-as-soda sounds of “That Guy/ Summer Romance” are hard to resist—as a retro throwback, it even has a clap track. And the addictive, boppy “Laura McHugh”, written about one of Miraldi’s classmates at The College of Wooster, invokes the most entertaining aspects of alt-rock groups like Weezer and Blink-182.

Miraldi cuts the sugar with a few punk-inspired (if not exactly punk themselves) songs, including “Sex Symbol”, a surprisingly fierce-sounding opening track, and “Little Voices”, both nods to the Ramones, among other groups. (“If you wanna kill me / better get in line” he sings in “Little Voices”.) And for a dose of pure, authentic melancholy, Miraldi packs a lot of emotion in the title track “Thirsty”—worthy of being the soundtrack of anyone’s post-breakup mourning.

And yet it is still joy that pervades regardless of the song Miraldi’s singing—joy of music, and of the possibilities it presents. The diverse range of genres and artists he emulates is proof in itself. It’s Dan’s enthusiasm, perhaps, that’s the most appealing element of Thirsty—the joy that makes you want to find out what thrills him so genuinely.

On July 3, Miraldi will be opening for Wang Chung at the Winchester in Cleveland. Thirsty is available on Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. – Molly Lehman - Buzz Bin Magazine

You would be excused for thinking that the three songs on this EP were released years ago. That isn’t to say that the songs sound dated. They certainly do not. Actually, the production on the album is crisp and crystal clear. No, the songs just sound as if they were written by someone who has not been influenced by any artist or group after the era of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. And you know what? That is a great thing! All three songs greet the listener like a breath of fresh air with their utter lack of pretense and posturing.

“The Holy Roller Stone Revival” kicks the tires and lights the fires immediately with a strong driving beat and vocals reminiscent of a powerful preacher lecturing his flock. Although I doubt that young Mr. Miraldi has in fact “…seen it all” as the lyrics suggest, he has certainly seen enough to create this rollicking song, with the call to join this particular revival too infectious to ignore. “Lucinda” comes next and offers a very pretty folksy ballad for your listening pleasure. The vocals are hauntingly clear and without any semblance of a whine. Very endearing. “Tease” brings the processional to an end with obvious nods to early upbeat Beatles material after a brief keyboard introduction. The bottom line is that anyone looking for songs that will bring cheer and happiness to their day should check these out, post haste. Just don’t blame me when all three come unbidden into your head and you’re forced to sing along.

http://www.myspace.com/danmiraldi (all songs streaming there)


--Penfold
- Ripple Effect Music

You may recall the name Dan Miraldi as the man supplying keyboards and vocals to the DC band Silver Liners, which we reviewed back in June (review here). "Tease" is his latest solo effort - a high octane, three song EP that follows his 2009 debut, "Thirsty" (produced with award-winning Jim McKell). "Tease" was recorded with producer-engineer Kyle Downes.

Miraldi has also been in Cleveland-based bands such as Cherry Flavored Elevator and Exit Suburbia prior to his current stint in the Silver Liners. He cites his influences as "women and booze", but his musical style was forged by listening to Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and modern day acts such as the Format and Green Day. Consequently, he writes pop songs that have a garage rock vibe.

I hope "Tease" is a prelude to a full-length record because it surely whets the appetite. The three energetic songs play to his strengths and deliver a memorable hook while flaunting his fondness for alternative and indie rock. The title track and "The Holy Roller Stone Revival" are my favorites, but the laid back "Lucinda" provides a nice break between the two. I recommend Miraldi if you like Material Issue, Posies, and The Knack.

Dan Miraldi on MySpace. Official site. Get it. - Bill's Music Forum (BMF)

Interview with Dan Miraldi
By Molly Lehman

A year out of college, most people are still struggling with who they are and what they want to be. Not so with Dan Miraldi, who graduated from The College of Wooster last May and has found his identity exactly where it’s always been: in music.

In college, Miraldi, who does vocals and plays guitar, did solo work and performed with guitarist Jay Nemeyer and drummer Sarah Luffred in the band Cherry-Flavored Elevator. On campus, he played at student functions and opened for groups like Blackalicious and Wiz Kalifa. Off campus, Miraldi performed for crowds in Cleveland venues like the Grog Shop, the Agora, Odeon, and Peabody’s, once opening for the Fiery Furnaces.

Now, Miraldi is a full-time musician, with both a solo career and a career with the DC-based band the Silver Liners in the works. This fall, he released Thirsty, a thirteen-track solo album that represents his post-grad musical debut. We caught up with Dan to talk about producers, childhood dreams, and bands inspired by mixtape.

What are you pursuing musically right now?

Thirsty is my solo album. Jay [Nemeyer] plays guitar, Sarah [Luffred] plays drums, and there are four other studio musicians. One of them is Tim Goshorn of the 1970s rock band Pure Prairie League, who provided some of the acoustic tracks.

I’m also in the Silver Liners in Washington, DC, which is with Jay Nemeyer, John Patton [another Wooster graduate], and two other DC people. We just finished mixing and have released an EP with seven songs, available on iTunes, CD Baby and Amazon. It’s called “Just Like the Rest”. Jay sings lead and I do keyboard work and background vocals.

I also have a new three-song EP, Tease, coming out on digital this summer. It sounds like Dan Miraldi on steroids. It sounds big. There’s a political song called “Holy Roller Stone Revival”, one called “Lucinda”, and “Tease”, which sounds very Sixties—a modern Sixties song.

Most people your age are struggling with entry-level jobs or applying for graduate school. What made you decide to pursue music following your graduation?

For a lot of people, I got the impression that when they were done with college they had no idea what they were going to do or what they wanted. One thing I have always enjoyed has been singing. My mom has told me that I was singing before I knew actual words, that I would make the sounds to songs like “America the Beautiful” before I was actually speaking. Around my sophomore year at Wooster, I decided that I wanted to just see what would happen if I pursued music full-time. My parents have been very supportive. I just felt as though I needed to try it or I’d always wonder what could have happened. If I fail, I fail, but I’m pretty optimistic.

What would you say was your goal, musically speaking, with “Thirsty”?

It was to take some of the songs that I had written during college and record them, and to start afresh. I just wanted to make a really nice debut. I worked with this producer, Jim McKell, who had worked with a lot of Nashville artists like Kenny Rodgers and Winona Judd. He listened to a few of my songs and helped me as a singer improve things, such as timing. I tend to get really excited and rush things. We recorded it in a living room in southern Ohio at the house of one of his friends, and it made for a really warm, almost lo-fi feel. Jim mixed it really well.

You cite your favorite bands as being influential of your sound—bands like the Beatles, the Stones and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. What were some of the musical inspirations for “Thirsty”?

The Beatles are always going to be incredibly ingrained in my mind because I was listening to them very early on. “Thirsty” and other more acoustic songs are also influenced by Van Morrison and his “Moondance” album. They’re more romantic, in a way; I think “Moondance” is a very romantic album. I also include more punk sounds—songs like “That Guy/ Summer Romance” and “Laura McHugh” have the influence of the Ramones. Vocally, my favorite vocalists would be Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, and the lead singer of The Format [now singer of Fun], Nate Ruess.

When was the album released?

In the fall of 2009, in October or early November. It had been recorded in the summer.

In one review, the writer said that you have “managed to capture, in several different kinds of rock music, whatever element it is that makes rock music fun.” Do you find that accurate?

I like that. I try to make my music joyful. Sometimes I’ll address certain political issues, but usually I just want to make people feel good. I want to create an environment where people get along and want to be nice to each other.

What has the reception been like? What do your fans think?

My mom loves it! Really, though, I’ve only heard nice things. Maybe people don’t have the heart to rip on it in front of me, but I’ve only gotten positive responses.

You’ve mentioned in the past how coming off a recor - Buzz Bin Magazine

Solo buzz: With the future of local rock act Cherry Flavored Elevator in question, singer-songwriter Dan Miraldi has high hopes for a multifaceted solo career. "My debut full-length album, 'Thirsty,' came out in November, and now I have a new EP, 'Tease,' coming out in July," said Miraldi, a 2009 Wooster College graduate. "With my music, you can hear a lot of influences such as the British Invasion, Van Morrison and some punk-type songs. Lately I've been playing acoustic shows, and I'm also in the process of rehearsing an electric band, which is called Dan Miraldi and the Albino Winos. Also, I've been playing in Washington, D.C., with the band the Silver Liners with Jay Nemeyer from Cherry Flavored Elevator. But my primary focus is my solo career. I figured while I'm young I might as well give it a try. If it doesn't work out, then I'll have to do something else." Miraldi is excited about his upcoming opening gig for '80s pop act Wang Chung, 9 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall, 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Tickets are $15. Call 216-226-5681. - The Plain Dealer

"I'm just a pretty face you drag all over the place," sneers Akron-based singer-guitarist Dan Miraldi on "Sex Symbol," the opening track on his new album. It's a start to an appealing record, as Miraldi alternately channels the Stooges on the ghoulish "Premonition" and Buddy Holly on the retro-sounding "More and More." Other highlights include the racing "Laura McHugh," which features some flashy guitar work, and the snappy "That Guy/Summer Romance," a tune about kicking a girl's bad boyfriend to the curb. The songs are sometimes too straightforward ("I could be yours and you could be mine," Miraldi sings on "Out of Eden"), but the guy is a sharp enough singer and frontman to make even the simple stuff work well. — Jeff Niesel - Scene Magazine

Dan Miraldi will be playing the Winchester on July 3 in support of his CD Thirsty. He’s a recent college grad who has been a part of the Cleveland music scene since high school. Watch out for this guy, this CD is really good, at times he sounds like a 70's folk rocker, other times like a young Elvis Costello. Check him out at http://www.danmiraldi.com. - CoolCleveland.com

Dan Miraldi’s new EP More Mood Music just dropped, and it contains his greatest work to date. The New Yorker has a history of switching up genres, but with this piece, he has honed in on a solid folk-pop sound, and it has a clear positive impact on his music. No more waiting, let’s dive right into the contents of More Mood Music––and what exactly makes it a fantastic listen.

The EP opens with “Alexandra Apocalypse,” a quarantine inspired tune that narrates America’s current social atmosphere. The pandemic has played a significant role in shaping Miraldi’s recent releases, as his sound has become more stripped down and has shifted into a majority folk arena. Acoustic layers and minimalist drums are laid beyond a strong melodic performance with synth generated strings filling out the background. “Alexandra Apocalypse" lays the groundwork for the rest of the EP, with songs like "Buzzin’" and "Green Eyes" following the same instrumentation and delivering the same result––folk bliss.

The EP is also populated by songs like the meta titled “Reflective Folk Song,” and “Tequila Meets Gin” which add a silky layer of introspection and ambiance to the mix. The inclusion of gorgeous vocal harmonies and the absence of clear lead lines allow the listener to really drift into these songs. It feels as if Miraldi traps you in his state of consciousness. That’s the power behind this EP. Miraldi wrote it in such a way that nothing takes up too much space, which gives room for the music. Nothing slaps you in the face except aspects of the bluesy groove “Love & Whiskey.” The bass comprises of mostly whole notes, and the drums are never too aggressive––allowing the listener to just float within the scenes.

Miraldi doesn’t rely on intricate parts or complicated riffs to capture the listener’s attention, all it takes are his masterfully-arranged song structures and smart chord changes. His talents as a lyricist shine especially on tracks such as “Tequila Meets Gin” and “I Tried,” the latter of which is the most radio-friendly piece, as it is reminiscent of contemporary indie-folk icons like Caamp. That track also demonstrates a clearly arranged finale to the song, giving the EP almost more of an album feel. Overall, More Mood Music is Miraldi’s best work so far on account of its cohesiveness and ability to utilize minimalism effectively. - Ear Milk