Dante Palminteri is a New York based actor and musician who recently released his new single “I Don’t Even Know You”. We got to chat with Dante about his music, acting, and his favorite pasta dish!
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your new single “I Don’t Even Know You” and the inspiration behind it?
Dante Palminteri: I wrote “I Don’t Even Know You” after I heard some crazy stories about my girlfriend, who is not very prone to do crazy things. I heard about a few years before I met her, she was a total party animal and would own the night. The idea of the song was planted then, but then I went farther with it and made her even more of a party animal in the song. Then in the video I decided to take it even further with it and give her mob ties.
upfrontNY: What was the best part of filming the music video?
Dante Palminteri: The best part about shooting the music video was gathering my friends together to be in it with me. My acting friends were so excited to work on this together and I wouldn’t have wanted to be thrown in a trunk of a car by anyone else <3.
upfrontNY: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music and what has it been like to share your music?
Dante Palminteri: I knew I wanted to pursue music ever since I was a little kid. I have been singing on stage and playing in bands since elementary school. Sharing your music is very rewarding, but at the same time very humbling. There are times I think I have an absolute killer and I release it or shop it around and the general consensus is it’s a flop. You have to develop very thick skin to jump back on the horse again and keep sending out records. Sharing music with people is my greatest love and there is nothing that even comes close to connecting with people through my live.
upfrontNY: How does music make you feel?
Dante Palminteri: Music makes me feel great, and incredibly depressed, and really excited, relaxed, and every other emotion under the sun.
upfrontNY: How did growing up between the east and west coasts influence you and your music?
Dante Palminteri: The way I grew up was great because it exposed me to so many different people, and music genres. I was thrown into situations where I was around punk musicians, doo wop singers, jazz cats, and every other type of musician. All of these influences gave me a giant toolbox I am able to dive into whenever I sit down and write.
upfrontNY: What do you love most about NYC?
Dante Palminteri: My entire family is in New York and New Jersey so it’s really great being so accessible to them. Other than that my favorite thing about NYC is how readily available everything is at any time. There is NOTHING you can’t find there. It’s like a tiny universe. Any type of food, clothing, clubs. It’s all right at your fingertips.
upfrontNY: Do you have a spot in NYC that you go to for inspiration?
Dante Palminteri: My favorite spot in the city is the West Village. SoHo, and East Village are close but the West Village, nothing compares to the general vibe, the stores, food, parks, architecture, and style. It’s just cool down there, everything has an energy that makes you want to make art.
upfrontNY: What has been one of your favorite places to perform and what is your dream venue to perform?
Dante Palminteri: This is a tie between two venues. Arlene’s Grocery and The Cutting Room. Those shows were the first gigs that actually felt like shows rather schlepping on stage at a dive bar. My dream venue is also a tie but for different reasons. The big massive ultimate dream venue is MSG (obviously). I have been going to MSG since I can remember. My mother went there, my father went there. It’s the place to see shows for my family. I’ve seen every one of my favorite bands and artists, the Knicks, and Rangers. MSG is the penultimate venue for any New York born and raised musician to play.
upfrontNY: Aside from music, you are also an actor. What has been one of your favorite filming experiences and who do you hope to work with one day?
Dante Palminteri: My favorite experience was shooting Sharknado 2 on Broadway at 6:00. It was insane, we had a crowd of probably 500 people gathered around as we swung from a cherry picker to avoid flying sharks. The actor I want to work with most of all is Christoph Waltz. Acting with him would be like playing tennis with Rodger Federer. I just want to experience what it would be like to act opposite him. If I can do that, I’ll be a success in my book.
upfrontNY: Your Instagram says singer, songwriter, actor, pasta eater. What is your favorite pasta dish?
Dante Palminteri: Borgatti Ravioli. Not even a second thought. 632 E 187th St, The Bronx, NY 10458. Go and see for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
upfrontNY: What is next for you?
Dante Palminteri: Other than more Borgatti Ravioli, LOTS OF MUSIC. I have front loaded music so everything is scheduled for release or being finished at this moment. While I’m planning that I’m constantly in the studio working on more bodies or work so I’m constantly releasing content. I have a live video I’m putting together as well as more music videos. In a world where content is king you can begin to expect a flood of content from me.
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