Danny Wright Touts Punk Rock Attitude on His New Single “Broken Youth” [Premiere]

We needed someone to stand up for our “Broken Youth” and we are pleased to say that we have found that individual. Today, Danny Wright is speaking out with his new single, “Broken Youth,” a straight-forward punk rocker with which many can identify, both musically and lyrically. The song features an aggressive guitar riff and a fast-paced, punk attitude reminiscent of bands the likes of Green Day while never overextending itself into obnoxiousness or an elevated sense of self-importance. Wright is not only a talented songwriter and performer, but he also uses his music as a platform for his ideas and musings about life.

Thematically, there’s a lot to identify with on “Broken Youth,” a track about feeling like you just don’t measure up to whatever standards by which you feel you’re being judged. The song is reminiscent in some ways to Wright’s “I HATE EVERYTHING” single that was released back in February, as well as many of his previous offerings. Wright uses his music as his avenue to discuss what he deems worthy of serious conversations, such as mental health, the struggles of youth, vulnerability, insecurity, and being judged by those above you. He has found his place as an artist by being an agent for those who don’t have a voice, or even those too afraid to try and find their voice. With such enthusiasm for not only songwriting but also for speaking out, Wright has formed an unbreakable bond with his fans who tend to feel more connected with him than your average artist.

Wright is a quality musician as well as a good man. We need people like Danny Wright, not just for his talents as an artist, but also for his ability to speak out and connect with individuals. That’s why we hooked up with him to ask a few questions about “Broken Youth,” staying positive, and releasing more new singles soon.

“Broken Youth” is your hard-hitting new single, a no-nonsense rocker of sorts. How was this song written? Describe the process to us if you will.

Danny Wright: “The song was written from scratch whilst in the studio. I went into the studio with finished songs ready to record and a plan to write one more song with producer Ben Samson (formerly a member of Lower Than Atlantis). This was a process I had never done before as a solo artist and was slightly nervous about what would come of it, but it didn’t take us long to land on a musical idea we both liked and develop it from there. The anthemic tone of the music inspired some personal and reflective lyrics.”

Artwork for “Broken Youth” by Danny Wright

What are you trying to say with this song? I was looking at the lyrics, and they come from a perspective of not feeling good enough, flawed, and misunderstood. Is there something here you’re trying to say about yourself and your youth or upbringing?

“The song is personal in parts; it’s about not being good enough to somebody else’s standard. When you’re younger, you have authoritative figures forcing down ideas of how to live life, or what you should do, or how you should be. At that point, you’re a lot more impressionable, so these influences are almost like gospel for a lot of people. Still, it’s not always the right thing to hear, it’s just somebody else’s opinion. Of course, I had a lot of this when I was younger, but I always had a feeling that just because someone is saying this, it doesn’t mean it’s right for me.

As an adult, looking back and thinking about those people who would enforce their ideas, I see nothing has changed for them, life is still the same, and they don’t have anything to ‘write home about.’ This isn’t a knock to people’s life choices but more of an expression that you have to do what you want and embrace who you are and what you believe at any time in life. Even if others disagree with it. I think it is so important, especially at a young age, to voice your individuality, beliefs, and thoughts whatever they are as this builds self-belief and stops you waiting for the approval from something or someone to be yourself.

I was misunderstood when I was younger for my interests, my style, my perceptive on things, and because of this, I always felt like I had to prove myself. I eventually realized that ultimately I don’t have to prove myself to anybody, nobody does.”

With the kind of “down on yourself” point of view of “Broken Youth,” it made me curious as to whether you’re someone who tends to feel discouraged easily? Or perhaps you’ve hit that point where you don’t give a fuck anymore about other people and what they think?

“It’s always been about not giving a fuck of what other people think, but the problem is even though this is the ongoing goal, people attempt to pull you into giving a fuck, and that is discouraging. I think that mindset of not giving a fuck is quite a romantic one a lot of people have. Though a lot of people say they have that mentality, it’s very obvious they don’t. Most people care what others think, and most people want to be accepted, feel significant, relevant, admired, liked etc. and to achieve that they will do or act in ways that are not true to who they are.

I’ve had enough of that; many times, people try to pull you into being like that, or they try to define you by your failures and mistakes and attempt to make you scared of what people will think about that, fuck that. This is about embracing who you are, flaws and all, measure yourself to your own standards and values, and fuck what other people think. ‘Broken Youth’ is one of the songs I have with that defiant message.”

Your “I Hate Everything” single that was released back in February is a song you wrote about insecurities, which is somewhat similar to the ground which “Broken Youth” covers. What helps you maintain positivity in this complex life we live in?

“The things I enjoy keep me somewhat positive: being a fan of music, my dog, cooking, spending time with people close to me, creating and playing music, my fans, to name a few. As you said, life is complex, and we are complex creatures, having that open-minded knowledge that things in life don’t have to go a certain way, and you don’t have to do certain things by a certain time in life maintains a calming thought.

People in the world put a lot of pressure on themselves to appear ‘happy,’ ‘successful’ or like they have all their shit together, which is to impress others, again going back to caring what others think. The reality is we are complex people in a complex world, on our individual journeys, experiencing different things at different times. My positivity comes from knowing the choices I have made for myself, against my fears and against all odds, I have achieved things I am proud of and ultimately glad I took the ongoing journey to be my true self”

Do you have more singles along the way that we can expect soon? Or perhaps an EP or album that you’re at least contemplating?

“I have more songs to put out, which I’m super excited about and think it’s some of my best and most honest work, which I will all eventually compile into an EP. I want to release each song separately, so they get their moment of focus. I feel like I’m in a good place at the moment with writing as I become more comfortable as I get older talking about my experiences in life. I am always writing and exploring musical ideas, so in the future, there may be an album project.”