For an artist who has spent years perfecting his craft across multiple monikers, Dane has finally arrived at his most vulnerable and unfiltered self. With his self-produced project ‘JASON,' he takes listeners through an intimate, emotional journey—one born from pain but destined to connect with anyone who has experienced loss.
Dane's raw and honest storytelling is at the core of ‘JASON.’ The album is a reflection of his personal struggle following his father’s suicide in 2023. Every song is a chapter in the emotional aftermath—navigating shock, sorrow, and the slow, complicated process of healing.
One of the most poignant tracks, “Time Move Faster,” captures the paradox of grief. Dane wrestles with the desperate wish for time to speed up, to escape the weight of his pain, but at the same time, he fears that every passing moment distances him further from the last memories of his father. It’s a song drenched in heartache and longing, one that anyone who has lost someone can relate to.
Dane’s ability to merge hip-hop, pop, and singer-songwriter elements shines through in ‘JASON.’ Entirely self-produced, the album’s sonic landscape is both delicate and powerful—sometimes soft and melancholic, sometimes urgent and dynamic, reflecting the ebb and flow of grief itself. The production feels deeply personal as if every note was crafted with intention, mirroring his emotions in real-time.
The lead single, “Unspoken,” sets the tone for the album, offering a deeply emotional reflection on the words left unsaid, the moments that haunt us, and the pain of unfinished conversations. Meanwhile, the upcoming video for “Photographs in a Box” promises to be a visual representation of the memories we hold onto, the ones we fear losing as time moves forward.
For Dane, this project isn’t just about making music—it’s about connection. “Ultimately my goal with this album is to help others who have lost someone they loved and who are dealing with grief. Hopefully, there's something in here that can help you heal, relate to, or at the very least, help process what happened.”
‘JASON’ is such a deeply personal project. What was the most challenging part of translating your grief into music, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
The most challenging part was kind of articulating and organizing my thoughts. After losing someone your head is really scrambled. You are trying to come to terms with this new reality while also feeling all these intense new emotions. So whenever I would feel something, I would self-analyze and figure out what it meant and how to summarize it; these would then become concepts for songs that I would text myself so I wouldn't forget. I would then go back later and expand upon that original concept or thesis. I knew the project was finished when I felt I had addressed everything I needed to say.
You self-produced this entire album, making it not just a lyrical journey but also a sonic one. How did the production choices reflect the emotions you were feeling while creating it?
Yeah, the production, I wanted to feel melancholic but kind of drifty. Kind of to convey how my brain felt, floating in and out of different emotions. Trying to pin down all my thoughts and feelings. I definitely wanted to utilize as many samples as I could to give it a unique, textured, raw feeling. But also, a few of these songs are pretty stripped down for me normally. Leaning into more folk, acoustic, and singer-songwriter elements. Of course, then also adding some synths and pockets of hip-hop drums. So, I think, ultimately, it was a blending of styles. The root of everything is raw and vulnerable songwriting.
“Time Move Faster” is a powerful exploration of wanting to escape grief while also fearing the fading of memories. Can you talk about the moment that inspired this song and how it shaped the rest of the album?
Yeah, it was just this nagging thought/emotion I would have at night lying in my bed. I felt this push & pull of wanting time to speed up, to escape the overwhelming grief & the shock of that moment, but also fearing that each passing day would pull me further away from the last time I saw him. There's a deep anxiety that the memories of him: his voice, his scent, his laughter, will eventually fade. Time may heal wounds, but that healing comes with a bittersweet cost.
Your work has evolved over the years under different names and sounds, but ‘JASON’ feels like the most personal project yet. How do you think this album differs from your previous work, both creatively and emotionally?
Yes it feels like not even the same thing comparing this project to some of my previous work. The old stuff was entertainment but this was more "art". Not trying to even inflate it or act like it's this highbrow thing cause it isn't, but just in terms of what it represents. These kinds of deeper complex emotions. Making music out of necessity not just out of enjoyment. I hope it shows maturity and showcases my skill set as a songwriter.
Grief is something that connects us all, yet it’s deeply personal to each person. What advice would you give to someone who is in the early stages of loss and looking for ways to process their emotions?
My advice would be to let yourself feel everything. Don't suppress it, find ways to express it. Get those thoughts and emotions out of your head through journaling or painting or, making music, etc. Be okay with not being okay for a while. I promise it will make you so much stronger and time really does heal wounds.
You will never be the same, and you'll always carry the scar, but the wound and sting of it will heal. And trust me, I am by no means an expert. I am still only a year and a half in, and I'm sure the feelings will come and go and change throughout my life. But if you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to me or send me a DM, I'd be happy to talk.