Danny Blu
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Danny Blu
Daniel Gershaw (October 20), known professionally as Danny Blu is an American singer, songwriter, and performer known for his work in the dark pop, industrial pop, synth-pop, and electro-pop genres. Based in New York City, Blu gained early recognition in New York's queer nightlife scene before becoming the frontman of the glam-pop rock band Echo Black. Following the band, he returned to a solo career, developing a sound that combines industrial rock influences with mainstream pop music and theatrical visual aesthetics.
Blu's music often explores themes of identity, self-expression, mental health awareness, sexuality, and personal transformation. He has been described by music publications and promoters as an "industrial-pop idol" and has been featured by outlets including Billboard, Alternative Press, The Huffington Post, and NewNowNext.
Early Life
Blu was born in the United States and grew up in Morris County, New Jersey. He later relocated to New York City after high school, and studied acting at New York University (NYU)'s Tisch School of the Arts. Upon graduating, he was involved in regional theater productions before he became involved in the New York City's nightlife and music communities. His musical influences range from Broadway and mainstream pop to heavy metal, industrial music, goth culture, and 1990s alternative rock. Artists cited as influences include Lady Gaga, Nine Inch Nails, Madonna, Rob Zombie, and various other pop and industrial acts.
Career
2010 - 2015: Career Beginnings
In 2010, Blu began performing and recording music as a solo artist. During this period, he released two mixtapes that followed an alternative rock sound and built a following through live performances in New York clubs and venues, incorporating elements of shock rock, fashion, and performance art into his stage shows.
2015 - 2020: Echo Black
In 2015, Blu formed the dance-rock and glam-pop band Echo Black from his solo backing band, serving as the group's lead vocalist and principal songwriter. The band toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada and shared bills with acts including The Birthday Massacre, Combichrist, Genitorturers, MXMS, and Skold. Echo Black released one album, Dawn, in 2017 and two standalone singles "Burn Another Day (feat. Davey Suicide)" and "Perfect (feat. Telle Smith of The Word Alive)".
During interviews promoting the band, Blu described Echo Black's sound as a fusion of melodic pop, industrial rock, and electronic dance music, referring to the style as "dance rock."
2019 - 2024: Return to Solo Career
Following Echo Black's activities, Blu signed with manager Victor Guevara and revived his solo project and adopted a dark electronic sound. He released the single "Bubble," which premiered through Billboard Pride. Subsequent releases further established his blend of industrial textures, synth-pop production, and alternative-pop songwriting.
In 2020, Blu released the EP The Pale Horse, which received coverage within alternative and dark-pop music circles. The project was followed by The Pale Horse: Pandemonium.
Blu later went on a joint venture in 2021 with his manager and started his own label, SHVDOW Records. His second major EP, MOLOTOV (2022), featured collaborations with artists including Aesthetic Perfection, MORIS BLAK and Snowblood and was released through the label. The EP led to national touring activity, including the co-headlining "The American Dream Tour" with MORIS BLAK. This celebrated tour included the releases of "The American Dream - Danny's Version" and a cover of Janet Jackson's 1989 single "Rhythm Nation". Blu continued releasing standalone singles including "Stranger", "Bad One" and "FINISH HIM" while remaining actively touring nationally with Young Medicine and Nyxx and headlining the esteemed dark alternative music festivals Resistanz in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Dark Force in Parsipanny, New Jersey and Convergence in Denver, Colorado.
2025 - Present: Perfect Celebrity
In 2025, Blu was invited to the Mayhem Rave, a Lady Gaga Mayhem Ball afterparty, held in Brooklyn, Washington D.C. and London where he debuted his cover of "Perfect Celebrity" from the album Mayhem. During his last live performance of 2025, Blu announced to his fans that he was currently in the studio working on his first full-length album and played a snippet of a new high energy techno inspired song.
In the summer of 2026, Blu released lead single "Type" from his forthcoming debut album, a queer anthem about confidence inspired by his transition into sobriety over the course of the last year. He later announced that he would be releasing the album in three volumes into the Spring of 2027.
Musical Style and Influences
Blu's music has been categorized as dark pop, industrial pop, synth-pop, and electro-pop. His work combines electronic production, heavy guitar textures, and pop songwriting structures. Critics and promoters have noted influences from industrial music, goth culture, darkwave, alternative rock, and dance-pop.
A recurring aspect of Blu's artistic identity is the integration of fashion, visual art, nightlife culture, and queer expression into his performances and music videos.
Advocacy and Public Image
Blu has publicly supported mental health awareness initiatives and has described himself as a supporter of stigma-free advocacy. As an openly queer artist, he has frequently discussed the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility within alternative music scenes and has incorporated themes of identity and empowerment into his work.
Discography
EPs
- The Pale Horse (2020)
- The Pale Horse: Pandemonium (2021)
- MOLOTOV (2022)
- Unicorn Warefare Vol. I (2026)
Remix Albums
- The Pale Horse: Pandemonium (2021)
Deluxe Editions
- The Pale Horse (Deluxe Edition) (2021)
Singles
As lead artist
- "Bubble" (2019)
- "Burn" (2019)
- "Sanctuary" (2019)
- "White (K)Night" (2020)
- "Predator" (2021)
- "VIOLENCE" (2022)
- "The American Dream" (feat. MORIS BLAK & Aesthetic Perfection) (2022)
- "Give Me Your Love" (feat. Walter Kazmier) (2022)
- "Tidal Wave" (2022)
- "DIE YOUNG" (feat. Snowblood) (2022)
- "The American Dream - Danny's Version" (feat. MORIS BLAK) (2023)
- "Stranger" (2024)
- "Bad One" (2024)
- "FINISH HIM" (2024)
- "Type" (2026)
As Featured Artist
- Raygun Romance - "Dying Is Easy" (feat. Danny Blu) (2021)
- Ashbury Heights - "Cutscenes" (feat. Danny Blu) (2021)
- Nyxx - "Body Count" (feat. Danny Blu) (2024)
Cover Songs
- "Rhythm Nation" (Janet Jackson Cover) (2023)
- "Perfect Celebrity" (Lady Gaga Cover) (2025)
Mixtapes
- The Ashes (2011-2014)
with Echo Black
Albums
- Dawn (2017)
Singles
- "Burn Another Day (feat. Davey Suicide)" (2015)
- "Perfect (feat. Telle Smith)" (2016)
- "Chemicals" (2016)
- "Disappear" (2016)
- "Dawn" (2017)
See Also
External Links
References
Daw, Stephen (July 16, 2019) Danny Blu Invites You Into His Dark Gothic "Bubble" Billboard
Teeple, Alice (September 7, 2021) Industrial Pop Idol Debuts "Predator" Post-Punk.com
Owens, Page (January 16, 2020) Danny Blu battles against anxiety in hypnotizing track “White (K)Night” Alternative Press
Titus, Christian (September 20, 2016) Watch Echo Black’s Video for "Chemicals" Billboard
Wong, Curtis M (October 21, 2016) Alt Rockers Echo Black Are Back With A Hard-Driving Love Song Huffington Post
Danny Blu - Age, Family, Bop | Famous Birthdays famousbirthdays.com
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