BOSTON, MA [October 15, 2021] — There are three simple rules for proper living, pulled fresh from the gospel of Gene Dante: Release the toxic people from your life; accept yourself no matter what; and move forward, forever and always, regardless of what life throws at you. Those are also the three basic tenants that shape DL/UX, the explosive new rock and roll record from the noted glam rock aesthete, set for release on Friday, October 15 though independent Massachusetts-based record label H1 Massive.
It’s this state of mind that permeates through DL/UX’s 15 tracks like the drinks we pour when no one’s looking; it’s an album for the age of single, a tailored suit in the era of sweatpants, and a call back to revitalize a lifestyle we’ve lost over the past two years. Musically, DL/UX harkens back to rock’s most ambitious eras, but it’s a record rooted deep in the now, a journey through a modern-day mental speakeasy where the rules are what you make of them and the glitz and glamour of life is what’s carried in pocket. True to its name, DL/UX will be released in a series of formats, including double-vinyl LP, compact disc, cassette, and digitally, alongside a glossy 40-page photo and lyric artbook curated by The Secret Bureau of Art & Design.
“The vision for DL/UX was always a slow burn,” says Dante. “From the get-go, we set out to make an album experience, not a reproduction of a live show. I always had the flow of the album in mind; the song sequence as a listening experience as well as a storytelling method. As we slowly emerge from this pandemic (thanks anti-science idiots and assholes), the themes of asserting oneself, recognizing one’s worth, releasing the damaging people and draining forces, and venturing forward into the unknown resonate. It’s a time for re-invention, strengthening, becoming.”
And that is illustrated through the tales and tribulations of DL/UX, like the flick of the wrist or the pull of an eyeliner pen, it’s acronym title extended to reveal a bit of a secret identity kept close behind the veil, but one that reflects the journey we all embark on from birth to the present day — the Down Low User eXperience.
“I see my life until now as the Down Low User eXperience: progressing privately; waiting in the wings; stepping aside to make way; observing; studying; learning,” Dante admits. “It’s DL/UX because my life has also been ‘deluxe’ which means served with lettuce, tomatoes, and french fries. Seriously though, ‘extra’ was a bit too on-the-nose, ya know?”
Subtlety was never one of Dante’s strong points anyway, and he’s made quite a racket in the ultra-quiet year of 2021. The songwriter and artist kicked down the door of the DL/UX era with this summer’s scorching single “She’s Outside,” a blitz of a tune that sparkled all the way to the good graces of Rodney Bingenheimer’s show on SiriusXM. Dante followed that up with the cruising “High Time,” a new anthem of self-worth glitz that kicked the bad seeds out to the curb, catching indie radio play around the world and back. Most recently, in September, he unleashed “L.I.E. (Do You Wanna)”, a seductive wink-and-nod of theatrical bombast that embraced the little white lies we tell to make it through the day.
“Musically, the trio of singles reflect my love of the three-minute, upbeat, left-of-center song; showcase the power of simplicity in composition; and pay tribute to my influences,” Dante says. “Each of them embody recurring themes on the album.”
Turns out the troika of tunes was just the beginning, a mere peek behind the curtain of Dante’s DL/UX world. Together with producer John Eye and H1 Massive, the dynamo squad unveil 12 new compositions that take these themes to greater sonic heights; it’s storyteller vision where Gene Dante The Artist and Gene Dante The Person twirl across the dance floor as the strobe light flickers into morning. It’s Gene Dante embracing maturity as a songwriter, a greater nuance as a singer, and a more informed ear for production.
Buy here: https://h1massive.com/product/gene-dante-dlux-double-album-vinyl/
“The 15 tracks stand on their own. However, the goal was a true album listening experience,” Dante asserts. “There’s definitely a flow; an introduction, peaks, valleys, and a conclusion. For years I believed the album was dead, and I just released singles. As these songs were being recorded, I saw a coherence. With John Eye at the helm, I knew we could truly make a fully-realized album listening experience, start to finish.”
