Preston Frazier: Hello, Danny. How are you? It looks like you are on a tour bus?! 

Danny Ayala: Yes, I’m currently on tour, so I’m in a van, but I’m here. Good to see you.

Preston: Good to see you as well. I’m thrilled to interview Danny Ayala about his new album, Only Fools Love Again. I’ve got the vinyl copy here—an absolutely wonderful album. 

Danny: Thanks. Right now, I’m in Denver, Colorado, currently on tour with the Lemon Twigs, playing Red Rocks tonight.

Preston: What a wonderful venue. How long have you been on tour?

Danny: I went on tour for my record two weeks ago—an East Coast run of nine shows. I got off that tour on Sunday and started the Lemon Twigs tour on Monday.

Preston: Busy!

Danny: Yeah, I’m jumping from tour to tour where I can.

Preston: Let’s talk about Only Fools Love Again. Thanks to Fernando Perdomo for bringing it to my attention. I grabbed the vinyl via Bandcamp. When did you start conceiving this solo album?

Danny: The first demos were back in 2020 during COVID. Some were iPhone voice memos, some full Logic productions. I have a great community of musicians on Long Island. From 2020 to 2024 was mostly the demoing process.

Preston: So you captured ideas on your phone and also worked in Logic?

Danny: Exactly. I start with a melody—whether I’m in a van or the shower—and record a voice memo. I studied at Five Towns College, so I can build demos in Logic or Pro Tools. Friends contribute to instruments I’m less proficient in, like drums or strings.

Preston: When did you actually go into a studio?

Danny: First two songs—“Something With You” and “I Don’t Like Her”—were recorded with Brian and Michael of the Lemon Twigs in East Williamsburg. Later, I went to California to work with Fernando Perdomo and recorded the rest of the album there.

Preston: How did you meet Fernando, and what did he bring to the project?

Danny: I met him in 2016 at an Amoeba Records in-store. His knowledge of music is vast—he can do prog rock, 60s, and 70s, and he’s an incredible guitarist. He brought both his chops and ideas to the table.

Preston: Your musical influences are an interesting mix—Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother, Bee Gees’ Main Course, and modern artists. How did that impact the album?

Danny: It makes the record stand out. I started with classical piano, then my mom introduced me to Backstreet Boys and My Chemical Romance. Meeting Brian and Michael of The Lemon Twigs immersed me in ’60s and ’70s sounds. The album blends power pop, pop rock, and contemporary colors.

Preston: The album is cohesive yet varied.

Danny: I worried it wouldn’t be. Different producers, even different genres. But Paul D. Millar at Bugsound Studios helped tie it all together in the final mix.

Preston: Let’s talk about the songs. The title track theme is clear, but the first song, “I Was Wrong,” is so bare—it exposes the writer.

Danny: That track is about being afraid to emote, staying comfortable in emotional stillness, until I realized I was wrong. A common love story, just from my perspective.

Preston: “Something With You” has a timeless melody.

Danny: That started as a voice memo. I wanted a Lennon-esque simplicity. Brian and Michael loved it and nailed it on the first try.

Preston: “I Don’t Like Her” could have been the title track.

Danny: Yes. It captures the theme: “I don’t like her because she makes me think about you—only fools love again.” It’s literal and reflective, with a touch of soul-searching about love beyond this life.

Preston: Let’s talk about “The Ballad.”

Danny: I’m very proud of that one. It has my first string arrangement, recorded with Caitlin Wolfberg on violin, viola, and chinchello. We built a quartet by overdubbing her parts. I aimed for a Bridge Over Troubled Water-type bridge.

Preston: Another favorite is “The Village.”

Danny: Very literal. Written on New Year’s Day 2020. My girlfriend worked at the Village Tavern in Huntington Village. The lyrics mirror my reality.

Preston: “Pluto” stands out sonically.

Danny: Definitely different. Inspired by Lenny Kravitz. Simple guitar licks, later shredded over by Fernando. It reflects my taste beyond the 60s and 70s music.

Preston: The playing and production are wonderful. Any upcoming solo shows?

Danny: Nothing booked yet, but I’ll be back touring within six months. Maybe East or West Coast, maybe even Japan—some stores there sold out my record.

Preston: How long is this Lemon Twigs tour?

Danny: Through Halloween. It’s a quick run, but I love what I’m doing.

Preston: What are your five favorite albums?

Danny: 

1. Atom Heart Mother – Pink Floyd

2. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots – The Flaming Lips 

3. In Rainbow – Radiohead 

4. Main Course – Bee Gees 

5. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (Self-Titled) 

Preston: I hope to catch your solo tour soon. Anything else you want to add?

Danny: Nothing but love. Good vibes only. Love is love.

Preston: Only Fools Love Again is available on Bandcamp in CD, vinyl, and digital formats. https://danny-ayala.bandcamp.com/album/only-fools-love-again

Danny, thanks for your time.

Danny: Thank you so much. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.

Preston: Take care. Pleasure talking with you.

Danny: Pleasure’s mine.