Dear Daria Premiere the Music Video for ’90s-inspired Single “Tino”

If you grew up in the 1990s, as the members of Dear Daria did, you probably remember a lot more about that decade than anyone who has come since. Today, they pay some homage to the culture of their youth with the premiere of their “Tino” music video.

If you’re from that generation, you may already recognize that the song is named after a character in the single-season cult classic My So-Called Life. Despite being regularly referenced in the show, Tino never actually appears.

The idea behind “Tino” is that he represents the one friend you have who talks a good game and makes a lot of promises but rarely ever delivers on them. According to singer and guitarist Maryjo Mattea, everyone has a Tino. He’s something of an archetype in everyone’s life.

Discussing the origins behind the song, Dan ABH states:

“Fun fact: When I was growing up, I was very young but I remember watching My-So Called Life with my older sister when it first aired on ABC and then watching all the re-runs on MTV in the late ’90s, I always wondered who this Tino person was. So when I joined the band and MJ said she was writing a song called ‘Tino,’ I knew that this was a perfect fit. This was also the first song that I wrote with Dear Daria collectively as we were contributing to our recent EP Solastalgia.”

Regarding the filming of the video, Dan adds:

“Getting to film at my favourite DMV record Mobius Records was so much fun. Dempsey and crew are an absolute delight. And I would say my favourite shot of the whole video takes place there. I won’t spoil it. You’ll know it when you see it.”

Commenting on his favourite thing about the video clip, bassist Eamonn Donnelly tells us:

“I love how this video subtly pays homage to the close-knit DMV music community. It was filmed at locations where several local bands practice, avid music fans shop for records, and features musicians of many different genres. That communal feeling and support really binds the story together in a way that we didn’t anticipate, but ultimately makes it richer and more sincere.”

Guitarist Josh Hunter adds:

“My favourite thing about the ‘Tino’ video is how it really showcases the personality of the band and the incredible group of friends around us. The vibe of the video really reflects a big side of who we are as people and it comes across super well.”

Dear Daria has really begun to make a name for themselves with their relatable, storyteller-like, pop-friendly songs. They are a positive, spirited act, a mishmash of power pop, indie rock, alternative rock, and pop punk. There’s a sweet sincerity behind their music, a group of musicians who try not to take things too seriously.

Their new record Solastalgia features six new likable pop anthems. Some of the songs are reflections on the world within our post-pandemic reality. They are a commentary on that awful time in recent history and the effects it has had on us.

Hunter is the one who discovered the term ‘solastalgia.’ It’s a combination of the Latin words for home and pain or suffering. It was defined by the philosopher Glenn Albrech, who referred to solastalgia as the homesick feeling you have while at home. It’s a reaction to when your local environment changes in ways that upset you. As they continued to write, it felt like the band was, without intention, making a concept album. Solastalgia ended up working perfectly for the mood of the record.

Dear Daria ‘Solsastalgia’ album artwork