Dan Krochmal

"When I arrive at Mercury Lounge in the East Village, there’s a line down the block and a sign on the front door of the bar that says “tonight’s show: SOLD OUT”. When the doors open, I make my way to the front of the venue. Australian native, Dan Krochmal, opens the show. His angelic voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar he plays himself, makes me thankful for arriving to the show early. He plays a set of a few covers and a lot of originals, and gets everybody excited for the rest of the night with his tunes and witty on stage banter." - Stitched Sound

There's a new sound emerging from the indie-pop scene, and it's the electrifying pulse of DAN KROCHMAL's single, "FOMO." From the moment the song begins, you're swept up into a vibrant wave of 80s-inspired melodies that evoke a sense of both familiarity and excitement, a testament to Krochmal's masterful musicianship.

Dan Krochmal's journey from Melbourne to New York has undeniably influenced his sound, resulting in a cross-continental fusion that exudes raw emotion and creativity. His experience as a former aspiring novelist is evident in the poetic lyrics of "FOMO," which paint a vivid picture of the struggle with self-doubt and the constant pressure to keep up in a world that never seems to slow down.

The song opens with the haunting contradictory phrase, "Everything's right, everything's wrong," a simple yet powerful statement that instantly resonates with listeners. The combination of acoustic and electric guitars, reminiscent of The Cure, weaves a rich tapestry of sound that carries us through the verses and into an anthemic chorus.

Dan Krochmal's vocals are nothing short of mesmerizing, soaring effortlessly across intervals, evoking the passionate intensity of Brandon Flowers from The Killers. His voice melds seamlessly with the energetic instrumentals, creating an unforgettable soundscape that leaves you craving more.

"FOMO" is a testament to Krochmal's ability to take the essence of the 80s and infuse it with a modern twist, making it undeniably current and fresh. The infectious melody is paired with poignant lyrics, exploring themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the fear of missing out. It's a track that will undoubtedly resonate with listeners of all ages, transcending the boundaries of time and genre.

The release of "FOMO" as the second single off his upcoming album, "HOME & HOLDING," only heightens the anticipation for the full project. If this single is any indication, we can expect an album that expertly combines Krochmal's storytelling prowess with his undeniable musical talent, creating a unique and enthralling sonic experience.

In a world where countless songs are released every day, it's refreshing to come across an artist like Dan Krochmal who can create music that truly stands out. With "FOMO," Krochmal proves that he is not only an exceptional singer-songwriter but a visionary who has the ability to captivate and inspire listeners with his distinctive blend of nostalgia and innovation. Don't miss out on "FOMO" by DAN KROCHMAL – it's the song you never knew you needed! - Music Farmer 5

Like a light cool breeze on the first hot summer day, Dan Krochmal’s “Fomo” hits the sweet spot in the first few seconds of this contemporary pop-rock track. Before hearing a single word it brings you into the early days of the Gin Blossoms or Goo Goo Dolls with brilliant clean guitar lines and a rhythm section that knows how to settle right into the pocket of it all.

Krochmal’s rich melodic sensibility is palpable immediately, rallying you into the groove so expertly crafted by the instrumentation. Vocally he mirrors the trouble-free casual tone of artists like Don McLean or Simon and Garfunkel and his pleasant demeanour is both reassuring and compassionate.

Before heading back into the line which the track gets its namesake, he sings, “some days I don’t feel like me at all, darkness falls and I hit a wall,” and it’s one of those lines that is so simple and straightforward that we can all relate to it in some way and the cadence he naturally inflicts onto it is easy to embrace. This darkness is not met without a blinding light however; As he repeats throughout, “I can’t keep on living life in doubt for fear of missing out,” you know that he’s met his own struggle head on and sees himself working his way out the other side. It’s encouraging and calming, giving us the understanding that wherever we are in our own journey’s, there is hope for a better outcome from wherever we feel we stand today.

The production on this track is one that reminds us how a great song like “Fomo” needs little added flare in order to truly shine; In fact anything more than what it is might be too distracting and tarnish the easy-going vibe. The arrangements, however simplified are engineered flawlessly and mixed cleanly, careful not to colour the natural timbre of each instrument. Like a great Beatles classic, the song really speaks for itself and we imagine the acoustic cut of this one is just as enticing as this full band production.

With songs like this, Dan Krochmal is no doubt one of those rare talents that can attract even the busiest commuters on their walk into work to stop and have a listen. - Crooked Forest

“FOMO” is the acronym for ‘fear of missing out,’ because everybody wants to be where it’s at. Where whatever is happening is taking place. This is all of us if we’re honest. Nobody wants to hear about an exciting event after the fact. Dan Krochmal’s single is a declaration about where he no longer wants to live in this emotional state of worrying about living in the fear of being on the outside looking in.

Krochmal is an Australian-born singer/songwriter. He now calls New York his home, where he’s played the club circuit. You can’t really tell where he’s from when he sings, though.

His single “FOMO” is an engaging, jangly guitar slice of sound. Krochmal sings it in a pure, straight forward voice. This song, at least, draws from the hallowed days of folk-rock, with its folk and rock elements, mixed nicely. “I don’t feel like me at all,” he admits at one point during this four-minute smattering of pop. It must be a common feeling, this fear of missing out, especially while living in such a dynamic city as New York. Something is always happening, but it’s impossible for a person to be in more than one place at once. Krochmal sounds as though he’s just trying to find contentment in life, rather than wondering what’s going on next door or the next street over.

Much like Lou Reed (another famous New York-ian), Krochmal is smitten by writing. In fact, before he turned to writing songs, he was an aspiring novelist who had completed a 92,000-word piece by the tender age of 17.

Like Reed, though, he realized he could accomplish much the same goals through melody and words, rather than with putting pen to paper.

The single “FOMO” is from his upcoming third album. By the way, Krochmal was scouted privately to audition for American Idol. After two successful rounds of producer auditions, he was flown to California, where he performed for Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan.

Furthermore, he’s already recorded with some well-known musicians, including players that have played with Demi Lovato, SZA and Iggy Azalea.

While he has these established pop music connections, “FOMO” may bring back fond memories of bands like Wire Train and Translator, back from the ‘80s. Much like REM (and others), these bands reinterpreted some of the jangly folk sounds of the Byrds (and other ‘60s icons) and put these

into a sound that fit with alternative rock at the time. One gets the sense this is happening again, as Krochmal is once again dusting off some much-enjoyed sounds but putting these into more of a 2023 context.

Mind you, this is just one song, and is not to suggest all his songs sound like this one. Nevertheless, it’s good fun to have pleasurable memories of days gone by come up when listening to a new song.

Vocally, Krochmal sings with a clear, pure voice, which is expressive and emotive. He certainly has a distinctive style, which should hopefully take him a long way. Lyrically, he’s a lot more literate and smarter than the typical pop singer, too, which makes him special in yet one more way. Catch him now, so you don’t have to live the fear of possibly missing out on this promising talent. - Curious For Music