Meet Loui Daniels | Singer, Guitarist, and Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Loui Daniels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Loui, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think being artistic is the greatest way of expressing myself. I’m also a real kid at heart. I really love to create things and I have a lot of fun doing it just like if I was lost with reality playing with a toy at a toy store. In most cases I do take a lot of time putting the pieces together when creating songs because I put so much love and dedication to them.
Throughout most of my childhood, I was heavily involved with the arts such as singing in local choirs, acting in plays/musicals, learning to play guitar, etc. With all the abilities I’ve developed up to this point in my life I want to see how far I can take them in the world of music. I grew up listening to lots of classic rock. I would watch videos on YouTube of front men like Tom Petty or Freddie Mercury from Queen performing Live Aid 1985 and tell myself – “Man, what if that was me up there singing my own songs for thousands of people to see and enjoy?” It’s such a crazy reality but who’s to say that it’s impossible to achieve? If I want it that bad, I’m willing to drop everything to get to that point.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I already have 5 songs available to listen to from my discography. They’re all over my YouTube under @louidanielsmusic. You can find them on all digital platforms such as my Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc. My new song Hide & Seek was just released last month. Please check it out, it’s awesome!

I think what sets my music apart from many artists, especially the ones in my Miami hometown, is that I pursue creating alternative rock and that I’m pretty old school with it. I love the classics: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Genesis (with Peter Gabriel), Queen, etc. I grew up listening to all these bands and some of the more modern bands like Radiohead, Oasis, Muse, The Killers. I try to blend the old with the new with my songs so it can attract anyone that listens to them. I received a lot of help to get to where I am in the professional level thanks to the people I had mentioned in my shoutouts: John Tovar (manager), Jessica Alvarez (music consultant) and her sync company named Sync Musica, Miguel Gonzalez (producer), Pablo Pabanor Ortiz of Revelation Media Productions (director, producer, and filmmaker) and many others.

Even though I had many resources It wasn’t totally an easy path for me. I overcame the fear of presenting myself before the audience and had to learn not to overthink or say so much when it came to performance. I had to learn who to trust. I had gotten stiffed out of money from scammers in the music business before falling into the hands of the right people. My networking skills needed to improve and still needs more development and of course money was the biggest problem of them all. Luckily for me I have a father that helps me get through it. His immense support really gave me a big boost to accomplish many of the things I needed to do that involved lots of budgeting. Despite all the obstacles coming in my direction, I’ve found ways to get around it but I definitely couldn’t have done it on my own. To anyone out there that wants to achieve their goal as an artist. It’s very possible to get it! It just takes a lot of budgeting, a network of people you can trust and work with and the main thing of it all is patience. If you have those three things, you are off to a great start!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My number one spot to go have drinks is at Bougies (Bougainvilleas) which is near Sunset and south of Miami. I grew a special connection with that place after me and my wonderful friends held a memorial there for John Tovar in September of last year. There wasn’t a place he loved more than being at bars and venues other than actual concerts. He would go to Bougies a lot just like he did at Churchills and some of the great Miami venues that no longer exist unfortunately. I love to be at Bar Nancy as well, especially to do shows. That was the first ever place I went to perform under my stage name Loui Daniels. I’ve played there more than any other place. Savage Labs in Wynwood is a close second.

Now if you want to get into the heart of Miami, definitely go to Bayside! There’s tons of attractions there! You can take a 90 minute ferry from there and view all of Biscayne Bay and the skyline is such a beautiful site especially during night hours.

A typical restaurant for the people of Miami but not for anywhere else is Flanigans. I go to one very close to home. Great food and scenery!

And let’s not forget Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. I’m not really a beachgoer that much but those are the best spots to soak in the sun especially in Key Biscayne if you want to be out with less people.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off my parents for their support and letting me chase my dreams no matter how silly they may seem to them. My dad has been a great financial supporter. He knows I have what it takes and wants me to get after my goal as a music artist.

Secondly my vocal coach Pamela Sherwood, who helped me polish my voice and develop my vocal range all these years ago. She got me involved with NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) every year before I reached my early 20s and won May awards from it. I traveled to many places around the US with her such as Boston, Ma, Boulder CO, Greensboro NC, etc. She got me involved with so many vocal recitals. Because of her I sing like a bird, so thank you Pamela!

Third, my drama teachers from high school! Laura Brennan and James Puig! Because of you two I developed a great level of stage presence! I had so much fun being a part of your productions over the years. So thank you so so much!

Fourth, my guitar instructor Hal Brooks! I couldn’t leave him out! I owe my guitar skills to his lessons and guidance. I did many guitar recitals under his wing and learned about many music artists that I’ve never heard of but know and love today. Thank you Mr. Brooks 🙏🏼

And in recent memory I have five other shoutouts. Big shoutouts!

The first one goes to my manager and mentor John Tovar. He really paved the way for me and gave me a great head start in my career. I learned many lessons of the music business through his knowledge. He got me to engage with many of his connections. Also because he was so respected as “the music man,” he got me to work with a professional group of artists and producers without having to spend a hefty amount of money. I got a band together because of him. I learned about all the music conferences such as Cutting Edge, Springboard, South by Southwest )SXSW), etc. It was all because John had made it known to me. I learned how to be more comfortable on stage because of his advice. I know I didn’t have to say so much on stage and be so frantic about it once he told me these very words. “Less is more. Leave your audience wanting more and be yourself.” I learned not to overthink about it because at the end of the day the people watching only really care about the music I play. I was fresh and very green to this entertainment world. While John was around, I’ve only done about 5 shows. And since he had passed I’ve done well over 40. I wish he could’ve seen how much I developed as an artist cause I know he would’ve been so proud. My debut album that should be released sometime next year will be dedicated to his memory, closing the first chapter of Loui Daniels.

My next shoutout is Jessica Alvarez of Sync Musica and her team. She was referred to me by John as my artist consultant before he passed and I couldn’t be more grateful. She is so awesome! She’s helped me release my material and also taught me more how to work with social media even though I hate it. She showed me how to make plenty of artist accounts such as SoundExchange, MLC, and my affiliation with ASCAP. She taught me how to copyright, create a publishing company when she didn’t have to. And not only that she’s been pitching my songs to get synced by many tv shows and films. I’m excited for the new year in 2025 to see where my music will go with her and Sync Musica. She has a whole team helping me in all areas: label management, press, social media marketing, royalties, a&r, etc. It’s a great position to be in compared to most artists.

These are all the names in her company (and even some of past members) I really want to give thanks to: Andrew Centeno, Gabriela Marin, Michelle De La Rocha, Tomas Gana, Ruben Espinosa, Sada Mordes, Guglielmo Di Carlo Natoli, Justin Telleria, Danny Velez, Luis Aguilar, Ernesto Arenas, Sumin Kim, and Romel Joseph.

My next shoutout goes to Pablo PABANOR Ortiz from Revelation Media Productions. I got to know him through Jessica thankfully. He’s been a real help taking my image to the next level! He’s such a phenomenal producer and filmographer! And I got the opportunity to work with him! He’s a great, fair minded ethical guy who really cares about my career just like John did and Jessica too of course. He was my director and filmmaker of my new music video I put out about a few weeks ago for my new song “Hide & Seek.” And he did such an amazing job! The quality mixed with his ideas and creativity was what made it so grand! Would I be looking for anybody else to make music videos with in the future?…not unless he’s unavailable. He is fantastic at what he does! He also put together my EPK which will be released sometime in the new year. He’s also great at putting together remixes. We might plan on a collaboration very soon with one of my songs.

Next shoutout goes to my music producer Miguel A. Gonzalez, owner of Purple Studio Productions. He’s a very talented musician, producer, and teacher. He’s gone on tour with some of the greats such as Brian Howe from Bad Company, Matt Kramer from Saigon Kick, and many others. John got me to work with Miguel in the studio and to this very day I still record with him. He’s such a great collaborator and an amazing session player. He’s made me such a better artist and really took my songs to the next level. His sound is out of this world. Miguel is also my official bass player in my band along with Avery Linderman on lead guitar and Oscar Dorta on drums. To have him play for me is a dream come true. He is my producer after all so nobody can play the bass for my songs better than him. He is also one of my great friends and I’m so glad that I got to know him. What I really like about him is his honesty and tough personality. Just like John, he didn’t hold back on anything that needed to be said on what I needed to improve and that means everything to me.

Last but not least, one of my best friends Ryan Bauta, a major talent in the Miami community. I’ve known him for many many years, even during the days of high school. He was the very person that actually helped ignite my career by getting me connected with John Tovar all these years ago. John was his manager well before I stepped into the picture and he’s been a real supporter of mine from the very beginning. All he wants for me is to succeed just like everybody else I had mentioned. He sees the talent in me and really enjoys listening to my original material. I played my very first show at an event he hosted which was at Tea & Poets nearly 3 years ago. Now today I host my own shows and couldn’t have done it without Ryan’s encouragement. He’s amazing!

All of these wonderful people I mentioned are why I am where I am today and why I am Loui Daniels. Each of them made a significant impact in my life. I am forever grateful for all of you! Thank you so much!
And to almighty God of course! Thank you for everything! My prayers have been answered!

Website: https://louidanielsmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louidanielsmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loui_Daniels

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Louidanielsmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@louidanielsmusic

Other: https://linktr.ee/LouiDaniels

Image Credits
Photography Credits: Niuvis Martin | @nmphotovideoworks