Daniel Dart is an American singer/songwriter, music producer, photographer, and human rights advocate who made his name as the founder and frontman for punk band Time Again. He has composed original music for such feature films as Get Him To The Greek, Stepbrothers, The Haunting in Connecticut as well as the TV show Dr. Phil. In early 2015 he founded the company that would evolve into DEC Projects, focused on working in the world's most difficult places. It is continuously rumored he is working on a new record with his band Time Again as revealed in a German magazine in July 2015. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Early life
Daniel's early life and his troubles growing up and dealing with drug addiction and family problems have been well documented. He often cites his own personal experiences as influences in his lyrics and the direction of the music he writes and creates. He also cites his difficulties growing up as the reason for his heavy activity in volunteer and non-profit work. He talks easily with people about his past and the difficulties he has had to face and overcome.
Time Again
In 2004 Daniel was discovered by Rancid frontman and guitar player Tim Armstrong and 2 years later signed to Tim's label Hellcat Records. On Time Again's first record, The Stories Are True, Tim joins Daniel on the song as they both sing about facing the troubles of the world and how the stories of both are true. Daniel recently announced plans for a new Time Again record titled May The Bridges We've Burned Light The Way hinting at a release in early 2016.
Producing / Composing / The Riot Bros
From 2008 to 2011 Daniel owned a recording studio in Hollywood with long-time friend and partner Donal Finn called Riot Riot Studios. The two worked out of this studio under the pseudonym The Riot Bros. During this time they also recorded two records under the name Swapmeet Shakedown/The Riot Bros of which songs have been used in TV shows Shameless on Shotime, Blacklist and NBC's Under The Dome. The two composed original music for TV/Film and Advertising as well, working on projects such as Jennifer's Body, All About Steve, The Haunting in Connecticut, The International, New In Town among others. Daniel also produced and worked on many other various projects during this time. Ranging from MC Lars and Mighty Mighty Bosstone's to projects with Ne-Yo and original music for commercial enterprises such as The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.
DEC Artists
In early 2015 Daniel started his own Talent Management company DEC Artists with his first client being his former songwriting and producing partner Donal Finn. He made a sizable leap by signing his first major client, the #1 BillBoard charting band The Crash Kings shortly after. DEC Artists roster at one time included actor/ musician Devon Werkheiser, Jurassic 5's Soup, Grammy award-winning artist Salvador Santana, songwriter/composer Antonio Beliveau, Los Angeles street artist Teachr, Time Again and actor/ musician Brad Carter among others. He also worked with Brian Bell of Weezer and British icon Seal. In 2017, as Daniel began focusing more on social impact work, he changed the name of the company to DEC Projects and moved away from management.
Legal Trouble
In late 2011 Daniel was arrested on multiple charges including Kidnapping, Carjacking, Dissuading a Witness, Assault and Extortion among others. He was originally sentenced to 6 years although he denied any wrongdoing vehemently. In 2013 he won an appeal and was released shortly thereafter in 2014. He originally did not speak publicly about this after being released, but in June 2015 while announcing the revival of Time Again he finally spoke out in Czech Republic magazine Kids and Heroes about how winning his appeal and getting released was one of the most victorious days of his life. Daniel has since become a leading voice in the criminal justice reform movement. In January 2016 Daniel was invited to speak in Washington DC at the AFL-CIOMartin Luther King Jr Civil Rights conference about his experience and how he is working to help others in similar situations.
DEC Projects
What began in 2015 as DEC Artists officially evolved in 2017 to DEC Projects, an impact-focused strategy and development firm whose tagline is - Creating Global Campaigns & Content That Raise Awareness + Change Culture.
In July 2017 Daniel teamed up with Mark Duplass and Wounded Warrior Project to create a campaign called DoMore104. The campaign launched and ran during the lead up to Duplass Brothers HBO series Room 104, as a way to both promote the new show, but also as a way to raise money and bring awareness to issues wounded veterans face.
Daniel co-created and produced a national call to action and event in partnership with CASA de Maryland, UFCW, and SEIU and the AFL-CIO in Washington DC on May 1st calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The event took place in Lafayette Square in front of the White House and featured DNC Chair Tom Perez and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez.
Daniel created and appeared in a series of PSA - Call to action videos for Movimiento Cosecha calling for support of a national strike and economic boycott on May 1, 2017. The goal is to create solidarity and protection for immigrants from all origins.
This Is My Home
In 2016 Daniel created the #ThisIsMyHome campaign for immigrant rights with Salvador Santana for We Are Casa and CASA in Action. The campaign focused around creating awareness across the United States with specific calls to action in the hopes of achieving comprehensive immigration reform.
