Actor and musician Dan Berry (“The Outsiders” musical) chatted about his debut single “Call it a War,” as well as his music and songwriting inspirations.
Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote applies to Dan Berry.
‘Call it a War’ single
On his new single “Call it a War,” Berry said, “I’ve been writing for eight years or so. I was just waiting for an opportunity where I had someone to help me produce it, and things like that.”
“So, I eventually kind of just pulled the trigger a few months ago and got in a booth and started working on it in the mornings before I went to work,” he elaborated.
“This was a long time coming, and it was probably the most stressful thing I’ve ever done but now the doors are open and more music is on the way. Doing this single was a lot of fun,” he explained.
Music and songwriting inspirations
On his music and songwriting inspirations, he shared, “I started writing when I was a senior in high school, I think. I wrote to get over a broken heart a few times. So that kind of pushed it forward.”
“My dad, growing up, was in a band and I’ve always really loved the music that he made and everything,” he noted.
“So, I’m just following in his footsteps and doing my own thing. It just makes sense to me, and it means a lot to me when I can put down what I’m feeling in a song and have people relate to that in whatever way. It’s a little high you get,” he explained.
“So, I just love it; I chase it,” he exclaimed.
Berry on temporarily taking over the role of Daryl Curtis in ‘The Outsiders’
Ever since early September, Berry has been taking over the role of Daryl Curtis in “The Outsiders” musical on Broadway (and that will go on until November when Brent Comer finishes his filming in Australia).
“It’s very exciting. I took over the role about six weeks ago and I have a few weeks left,” he admitted.
“I started my ‘Outsiders’ journey as Paul, so I have a special place in my heart for Paul,” he said.
“I love the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. It’s honestly an older building but I still think it’s great,” he added.
The digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, he said, “Growing up, I was never a huge social media guy. I would post a picture once in a blue moon and I’m still kind of like that. I have realized through this process how important social media is.”
“Social media is very crucial,” he noted. “I will say the fan base that we have built in this show has been so special. They have this undying love for not only the story, but also the people that are in this cast.”
“So, yeah, the fans have been a real treat,” he admitted.
“I think they see a part of us that we don’t, and I’ve always had very positive experiences with the fans. They bring us gifts, or they sing my song back to me as I’m signing things for them,” he added.
Matt Redmond and DGRW
Berry had great words about talent agent Matt Redmond and the folks over at DGRW. “It’s amazing to work with Matt,” he admitted.
“Matt is such a helpful mentor, and he has gotten me so far. I wouldn’t be here without him and all the other agents,” Berry said. “They are amazing in his office. I am so grateful.”
Advice for young and emerging artists
For young and aspiring actors, he said, “When you are doing this, the perception that you have of it when you’re a young man or a young woman, and you get older, and you have to meet expectations to reality.”
“I thought this was going to be a very different thing,” he admitted. “I thought I am living the dream, I’m going to have these amazing shows and I’m going to sing all these cool notes and it’s going to be awesome… and it is all that, but it’s also a lot of work, especially as an understudy.”
“I started off in the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre as an understudy doing a lot of extra work and a lot of extra hours. So, I just take care of myself,” he said. “I would say make friends with people who aren’t artists as a little refresher.”
“Just stay true to yourself,” he underscored. “I think in this career, there is so much that happens and there is so much politics and interpersonal relationships that you just will never fully prepare for.”
“Every show is different, but you need to take care of who you are and what you believe in and stick to that because that is what you’ve got when you’re in it,” he said.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Berry revealed, “I’m in the ‘Experience’ chapter.”
“I kind of want to do everything,” he said. “I’m trying to find more things to do outside of work to just broaden my horizons and experience more things. I’m a young guy. I want to travel. I want to do all these things.”
“I just feel like you can be a sponge in your early twenties and kind of absorb everything that life throws at you. That way, the better you are going to be,” he said.
“Not only as an artist, but also as a person. So hold the conversations, talk to everyone, meet everyone, go say ‘yes’ to everything you can possibly say ‘yes’ to, because you never know what could come from that,” he elaborated.
Charlie Webb
Berry had great words about fellow Broadway performer and photographer Charlie Webb.
“I love Charlie. We went to school together and then, he went on to do ‘Parade.’ We stayed close and he takes great headshots and I needed new ones. Charlie has been a great friend and a great guide when I first moved to New York,” Berry said.
Message for his fans and supporters
For his fans and supporters, Berry said, “Thank you so much! Keep it up… I can’t do this all by myself. The more people relate to me, or the more people think I’m talented, I’ll take it.”
“I’m just very happy that I have found a pocket of people in this community of ‘The Outsiders’ fan base that relate to me and like me and think I’m funny or put me on a magnet. So, I feel very, very honored,” he acknowledged.
Success
On his definition of success, Berry said, “When I was a kid, Broadway was never even an option. I didn’t even think that I could be on a Broadway stage.
“I definitely think, as a kid, I thought of success as personal happiness,” he said. “Now, as a young adult who is paying rent, I think success has a lot to do with my financial comfortability.”
“At the end of the day, as long as my parents are happy with me and I’m happy with myself and the path I’ve chosen, it’s not all about the next big thing, but it’s just about making sure that you’re comfortable with where you are,” he explained.
Closing thoughts on the new single ‘Call It a War’
“I write a lot of love songs but I wanted to write something a little bit different… not just self-deprecation or ‘I love you so much.’ I wanted to write something a bit more aggressive. That’s why I called it ‘Call it a War’.”
“It’s about fighting for what you love and what you believe in,” he acknowledged. “I think you can just get up and dance around and really feel the aggression and the energy in it, and let out all those feelings that you have have.”
“Call it a War” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about Dan Berry, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
