Meet Dan Snyder of aReverie in Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Snyder.

Dan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2006, my wife and I decided to quit our jobs and pursue things we were more passionate about. I was driving armored cars at the time, a dangerous occupation that felt like it had no future. I quickly found myself in the world of recording and touring musician. I was mostly playing keyboards for other artists. Over several years, I slowly began to give myself permission to share things that I was writing. The vulnerability of it was difficult but it let to starting an alternative indie band called Paper Lights that would tour nationally and record an album between 13 different National Parks.

As of recent, I have been given a lot of opportunities to write music for commercials and to start another songwriting project (aReverie). It has been a lot of fun to start different projects and be able to include a lot of different musicians and friends in them.

I’ve really enjoyed writing for aReverie. It’s the first project I have ever done that doesn’t have any quota or time restraints. It has been fun to space it out so that songs can be shared on a regular basis rather than thinking in terms of finishing it as an album.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been one of the hardest things I have ever done. There are only a handful of ways to monetize your career as an artist so it’s very competitive.

I don’t think of myself as a very competitive person so I’m sure that has worked against me. Art feels like something that is always better with collaboration. I’m always confused by the idea that I should compete with the same people I create with in order to get myself into a better position career-wise.

Another chronic struggle has just been keeping enough work. There have been seasons where I had so much work that I was turning dream jobs down, and others where it was hard to find another tour or studio gig. It requires a level of putting yourself out there that doesn’t feel natural if you are an introvert.

Please tell us about aReverie – what should we know?
I am the founding member of aReverie and international touring band Paper Lights (IMEA Alternative Artist of the year, Akademia and Global Music Awards). I have composed commercial music for CBS, Coca Cola, MTV, Boeing, Chick-fil-a, Outside Magazine, Land Rover, NPR, ESPN, etc..

My favorite job in the industry has been playing keyboards on tours for different artists. I’ve been really fortunate to get opportunities to travel internationally and do what I love with people who I consider my friends.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel like having the obvious skill set is only half of what’s important, especially when it comes to touring. People are staking a lot of money on the idea that you are mentally stable enough to handle weeks on the road. They’re also counting on a consistent and bearable personality. If you are difficult, demand a lot or have an abrasive attitude, word will get around and it will be harder to get jobs even if you are the most skilled musician.

So, I think maybe your attitude is the most important to your success in anything.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://areveriemusic.com/
• Email: contact@paperlightsmusic.com
• Instagram: @areveriemusic @paperlights
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepaperlights
• Twitter: @danimalsnyder @thepaperlights
• Other: www.PaperLightsMusic.com

Image Credit:
Chris House

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