INTERVIEW: IN CONVERSATION WITH DANKO JONES
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Canadian band Danko Jones is about to release a straight up, tight, authentic rock ‘n’ roll album called ‘Leo Rising’. It will be their 12th record, and it proves the point that you just need to know what you are doing and have bass, drums, guitar and vocals to make a statement. “You must trust your ears”, stated vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Danko Jones (aka Rishi James Ganjoo).
“It’s pretty simple what we do as a band”, said Danko Jones. “We are a rock ‘n’ roll band. We don’t overthink it. You must trust your ears. Is this music you want to hear? It comes with years of experience learning about what sounds right. As a band, you can second guess yourself into sounding like nothing if you’re not careful. The benefit of experience tells you to trust what you hear”.
You should trust what you hear on this 11-song album. It’s just brilliant! Danko Jones explained: “This is our 12th album. Our first album was ‘Born A Lion’ and this is our sun sign Leo and its rising – the 12 bookmarks. I am now looking forward to the next special rock ‘n’ roll number 13. But we focused on ‘Leo Rising’ on delivering our songs, our sound and done in our way”.
‘Leo Rising’ is chock-a block full of great songs, with fantastic instrumentation. The songs are authentic and full of raw, unfiltered lyricism about the facts of life and pulsing with sweat-drenched energy. ‘Leo Rising’ is more than just “a new chapter” for the band, it’s a mission statement. “We try to write a whole bunch of tunes that I like – or that we like. I write to please myself”, stated Danko Jones.
“I just trust when I have a good riff”, explained Danko Jones. “So many young bands self-sabotage themselves. They try to be different, experimental. But it is an artform, in itself, to be consistent with fans and develop your signature sound. If you keep changing all the time you never cement yourself down. How can you deliver good music? Our band is really happy that we have our sound and what you hear on the album is what you will hear live”.
Danko Jones has certainly delivered great music with a strong live performance reputation and their recorded albums are beautifully produced. The band really put in the hard yards with writing and recording for this album. It was no small feat. “Yeah. The band is spread across Canada and Finland”, stated Danko Jones. “What we do is send each other files. John Calabrese (bassist) helped with the arrangements and tracked his parts in Finland. Then, things get sent to our drummer Rich Knox. Then, we get together sometimes, if we can, in Toronto to lay down the rest of the album”.
The listener would never know as the album is so cohesive. It is evidence of the band’s chemistry and clear creative vision that ‘Leo Rising’ is so interconnected and consistent. “Well, we believe in our music, and we are not re-inventing the wheel”, stated Danko Jones. “We want to make and play live music that we like and that our fans like. It’s an artform to get that right. We want to keep rock ‘n’ roll fresh”.
And, they have got it so right on ‘Leo Rising’, and this album will give you ‘What You Need’. With songs like the brilliant ‘I’m Going Blind’, ‘I Love It Louder’, and the classic ode to live by ‘Everyday Is Saturday Night’ - this album rocks. The single ‘Diamond In The Rough’ will have fans hooked already. The band really deliver on their signature sound with high-speed fun, and extremely catchy guitar riffs on songs ‘Hot Fox’, ‘Gotta Let It Go’ and the suitably titled ‘It’s A Celebration’.
Danko Jones is a band in peak form. They don’t just play rock ‘n’ roll – they own it! The album ‘Leo Rising’ does not waste time. It pumps up the volume and keeps it there. It must be the year of great rock ‘n’ roll albums, and this one is on that list. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer drawn in by honest, hard-hitting rock music, ‘Leo Rising’ is a must-listen.
Danko Jones will release their 12th studio album, ‘Leo Rising’ on 21 November 2025.
