Dan Rico has never been the kind of artist who stays in one lane. Over the years, he’s bounced between punk basements, glam-pop stages, psychedelic dance floors, and even a musical puppet band. Somehow, it all makes sense. For Rico, music has always been about chasing ideas, experimenting, and finding new ways to make people move.
Growing up in Chicago, Rico was surrounded by the sounds of Elvis and Michael Jackson, which helped shape his love for big melodies and unforgettable performances. He picked up the guitar at 12 and eventually became a familiar name in the city’s DIY scene, playing in and producing countless rock and punk projects, including Chicago favourites EGO. In 2015, EGO released the ambitious 13-album concept project 'The Search for Ophiuchus', inspired by the zodiac signs. That same year, Rico released his first solo album, 'Endless Love', which earned local praise and led to a European tour.
Since then, Dan Rico has continued building his own musical universe. He has released multiple vinyl records, helped run the DIY label MAXIMUM PELT and venue WALLYS WORLD, performed at South by Southwest, and toured across the US and Europe. Along the way, he’s also found time to play in bands like Maximum Love Timeline, High Waisted, and Ista, proving that staying unpredictable is part of the fun.
Now based in New York City, Rico has been blending his power-pop roots with electronic textures, creating something that feels both familiar and completely new. His upcoming album 'Bull Moon' captures that balance perfectly. It’s full of vintage drum machines, fuzzy guitars, dreamy delays, and shimmering vocals that sit somewhere between Prince-inspired swagger and Marc Bolan-style glam energy.
The album explores modern life, from the weirdness of being constantly connected online to the challenge of staying present in the real world. It’s thoughtful music, but it never forgets to have fun.
That same playful spirit shines through in Rico’s latest indie anthem, 'Bigger Place', a catchy and satirical look at the struggle of chasing bigger dreams in a world where everything seems harder to afford. It turns everyday frustrations into something fun, giving listeners a chance to laugh while recognising the reality behind the joke.
With 'Bull Moon' on the horizon, Dan Rico continues doing what he does best: creating music that is strange, exciting, heartfelt, and impossible to ignore. For more, be sure to join Dan Rico on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
