Sauntering in from the streets of Cleveland with a guitar in one hand and a decades-deep love of music in the other, Ziggy D’Amato returns with a bold, unexpected double A-side that reimagines two iconic tracks through his unique sonic lens. Pairing the jangle and charm of the Bobby Fuller Four’s “Let Her Dance” with a soulful, recontextualized version of Lil Wayne’s “How to Love”, Ziggy proves once again that genre is no boundary—just another tool in his creative arsenal.
On “Let Her Dance,” Ziggy supercharges the original’s 1960s energy with overdriven guitars, surf-rock strut, and garage-pop swagger. The harmonies shimmer like waves on Lake Erie, and the infectious rhythm section propels the track forward with just the right amount of retro charm and modern grit. It’s a fitting tribute that feels more like a reawakening than a revival.
We sat down with Ziggy to learn more about the A-side, his approaches to music and much, much more in this interview with Music Crowns!
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Hey Ziggy, welcome to Music Crowns! How are you doing?
Thanks! Well my apartment is a mess and my beard is unkempt. On my desk, a copy of “The Grapes of Wrath” is bookmarked at chapter three but has been untouched for a week now. However, I’m drinking a smoothie and preparing to go for a run on this grey Ohio day.
You’ve been involved in various bands and projects for over 20 years—what inspired you to finally step into the solo spotlight in 2022?
Mostly stubbornness and impatience. I love playing in bands but it has been tough for me to keep bands together over the years for all kinds of reasons. I still had all these songs in my head I wanted to make. I also learned how to engineer, record and mix. So by 2022 I finally felt like I had my recording skills on par with my writing/playing/singing skills and before I knew it I had an EP that was fully formed.
How has your experience playing in different genres shaped your approach to music as a solo artist?
I’ll tell you what, It’s made my solo songs much more unmarketable. It’s just so natural for me to combine every genre I like. The most noticeable change in my approach to songwriting overall is rhythm and the roles each instrument plays within a song. As Miles Davis said “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play”. So just noticing how different instruments interact with each other in different genres of music and applying it to my songs.
Why did you choose to cover “Let Her Dance” and “How to Love”? What drew you to these particular songs?
Besides loving both songs, they both seemed to be an emotional continuation of where I left off on my last EP. My last EP being one of heartbreak to “Let Her Dance” being a bittersweet, letting go type song and “How to Love” being a nurturing, commiseration of how we got here.
“Let Her Dance” has a surf-rock energy, while “How to Love” leans into harmonies and 808s—do these styles hint at the direction of your upcoming album?
Yeah I’d say so. I never have a predetermined stylistic direction or any sort of big idea. I just write and record until the story presents itself. I do have some influences that seem to shine through no matter what. So safe to say there will be harmonies. Lots of harmonies.
Do you prefer working solo, or do you see yourself collaborating more in the future?
I hope more collaboratively! I’m getting old and slow and shitty. I’ve also been writing songs since I was five. I do play guitar and sing harmonies in a band called Youth Pallet. I also play bass with the singer/songwriter Charity Cunningham. Both projects have albums coming out in the near future.
And finally, you’re planning to release your debut album next year—what can listeners expect in terms of style and themes?
Harmonies. So many harmonies. Love songs with big, catchy choruses. Over-the-top guitar solos. Pretty piano. Live drums as well as 808s. Basically you can expect the greatest and most decorated album since Abbey Road.
