Paris NY by Dan Schiz (Interview 2026)

Edition Ninety-Nine – Week Ninety-Nine; Unit 2:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

Introduction

Dan Schiz: Finding His Own Sound Beyond the Stage

For some musicians, the guitar is simply an instrument. For Dan Schiz, it has become a way of life. A professional guitarist, songwriter, and solo artist, Schiz has spent years developing his craft across the live music world while building a distinct creative identity of his own.

Originally from the East Coast, Schiz made the bold decision to pursue music professionally and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, arriving with little more than what he could fit into his Honda Civic. His journey would take him through some of Los Angeles’ well-known rock venues, including The Viper Room and Whisky A Go Go, before he joined Powerman 5000 as lead guitarist in 2022.

Alongside his work with the band, Schiz has developed a solo career that gives him another space to explore songwriting, production, guitar, and ideas that might not necessarily fit within a band setting. His solo catalog has moved through alternative and experimental rock territory, with releases such as “Save Me (Kill My Heart),” “Waves,” “Failure To Connect,” “The Actors,” and his 2026 single “ON OFF.”

His music demonstrates an interest in atmosphere as much as guitar-driven intensity. “Waves,” for example, combines lush reverberated guitars and piano with distorted guitar and fuzz, drawing on influences ranging from Tame Impala and Nine Inch Nails to A Perfect Circle and Gary Numan. The song also explores the idea of finding purpose after devastating experiences and recognizing that life extends beyond material possessions.

More recently, “Paris NY” offers another side of Schiz’s songwriting. The alternative-rock track turns a chance encounter in New York into a romantic, open-ended story, using shimmering guitars, steady rhythms, and a husky vocal delivery to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and cinematic.

With a career that spans touring, professional guitar work, songwriting, and his own solo releases, Dan Schiz continues to explore where his creativity can take him. We caught up with him to discuss his musical journey, life on the road, his approach to guitar and songwriting, his solo work, and what comes next.

Short Review

Dan Schiz: Guitar-Driven Music With Atmosphere and Story

Dan Schiz’s solo work demonstrates an artist interested in more than simply creating a heavy guitar sound. His music combines alternative-rock textures with atmospheric production, melodic songwriting, and stories that often leave room for the listener to interpret the meaning for themselves.

Earlier tracks such as “Waves” demonstrate his ability to move between spacious, reverberated passages and heavier distorted guitar textures. The song gradually builds toward its climax while using its story of survival and renewal to explore the idea of finding meaning after loss.

His more recent work takes that songwriting approach in different directions. “Paris NY,” released in 2026, is a softer alternative-rock piece built around a chance meeting between a traveler and a woman named Paris. Rather than giving the story a definitive ending, Schiz allows the listener to wonder whether the narrator leaves New York or stays behind to pursue the unexpected connection.

That openness is part of what makes Schiz’s solo material engaging. The songs can be guitar-focused and sonically textured while still leaving space for narrative and emotion. His experience as a touring guitarist also gives the music a strong performance-oriented foundation, while his solo work allows him to explore ideas outside the framework of his work with Powerman 5000.

Ultimately, Dan Schiz’s music reflects an artist continuing to expand his creative vocabulary—moving between heavier guitar textures, alternative-rock atmosphere, melody, and storytelling while maintaining the guitar at the center of his musical identity.

Q&A

For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you describe Dan Schiz as an artist and musician?

“I’m a Los Angeles based touring & session guitarist and songwriter. Most notably, I’m the guitarist for the platinum-selling band, Powerman 5000.

I describe my solo music as a mix of alternative rock, indie, & prog rock.”

You made the decision to pursue music professionally and eventually moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles. What gave you the confidence to take that risk?

“I was living in another state working at a corporate job I hated. I decided to quit before I got fired and then with nothing left to lose, decided to move to Los Angeles. I just had a feeling in my gut that it would work out. I also felt like I exhausted all the opportunities in music where I was living and wanted to take a chance in a huge music market. Turned out my hunch was right because I now have a great music career and still live in Los Angeles today.”

You have performed at venues including The Viper Room and Whisky A Go Go. What are some of the experiences from your early Los Angeles years that have stayed with you?

“I jumped right into the Los Angeles music scene and within 6 months, I won 2 battle of the bands competitions. One of the prizes was playing at Warped Tour Las Vegas in 2016. After a few years, I became a regular at the Sunset Jam at the Viper Room and played there almost every Monday for a good 2-3 years. I met a few of the members of Powerman 5000 at the jam, which eventually led me to joining the band.”

You became the lead guitarist for Powerman 5000 in 2022. How did that opportunity come about, and what has being part of the band taught you?

“As I mentioned previously, I met some members of Powerman 5000 at the Viper Room in West Hollywood. I would collaborate on a few projects with those guys over the years until one day, I was asked to do merch for the band for a few shows. The first show was at the Whisky A Go Go and I noticed that they were down a guitarist. I told the whole band that I played guitar and eventually did a virtual audition. After not hearing back for a few months, I finally heard from Spider One (frontman for Powerman 5000) and he asked me if I was available for tour. Of course, I said yes and had to learn the whole set in less than a day since the first rehearsal was the next night.”

Where can we hear more, and why should we?

“You can hear more on any streaming service you wish by searching, “Dan Schiz”. You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @danschizmusic “