Lou Panico took time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions about his music and how he makes it. Let’s see what he has to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
My mother named me Louis. I hated it, so I shortened it to Lou. Louis
was a family name passed down by generations. I’m currently keeping
the legacy going.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
Raised in the shadow of New York City, I was the kid who banged on
pots and pans, the kid who always got detention, and the one in the
friend group who your parents said was a bad influence. But being
raised on The Beatles and The Beach Boys, I was merely only
misunderstood. One day my babysitter bought me a Green Day album
(Dookie), and I blasted it until my parents heard the lyrics and took
the album away. I started writing songs and put together a pop punk
band in high school. I was obsessed with Blink-182. I joined a band
signed to a label and started touring the world. Traveled to Japan,
Australia, and all around the USA until the label went under. Mark
Hoppus from Blink 182 produced an album of mine in 2008. Little Chris’
son ran around the studio in his diaper rocking a mohawk. I never saw
a baby with a mohawk before. That was rad.
How would you describe your sound?
If Blink-182 and KISS had a baby, that baby would shorten his name from
Louis to Lou. And he’d probably be in detention a lot.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
I’d have to go with Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, and Kiss.
What’s the last song you listened to?
We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
What’s your source for hearing new music?
The place that pays artists the least amount of money humanly possible, Spotify!
Who is your dream producer?
George Martin. But until AI figures out how to bring the dead back to
life, I think I’m sh*t out of luck with that one.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Rick Rubin. But if he’s too busy, Tom Delonge from Blink-182.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
Music saved my life. Just as it saves everyone else’s. I just happened
to be somewhat good at it and was fortunate enough to have been given
a platform to practice and develop my craft. It honestly all started
with my parents being so supportive and letting me tour and travel at
a young age when they easily could have told me to f*ck off and go
back to school. I keep doing it because I love it and if I stopped,
I’d probably die.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Honestly, most of my songs start with me singing something random and
ridiculous. Like, for example, think of a character line from
SpongeBob and put a melody to it. Legit, that’s basically how I write
my songs. Most of the time the song ends up being about kissing your
mom. Sometimes I change the words later on, sometimes I don’t. As long
as I think it’s catchy enough, I’ll record it. Ultimately, if I’m
having fun, my hope is for that energy to transfer to the listener.
Life is too short to be taken too seriously.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for
them to connect with you?
I’d like to think that I’m approachable and easy to talk to. If you
see me around or at a show, say what’s up. Or make fun of my haircut
or whatever. If you don’t leave your house ever, that’s cool too and
you can hit me up on social media. Like the rest of you, I’m attached
to it all day.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/X
LinkTree
YouTube
What’s next for you?
Heading to San Francisco for vaca with the wifey and driving down the
PCH to Santa Monica later this month. If you’re in the LA area and
want to link up, holla atcha boy!
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
If your vibe is like my vibe, let’s be friends. If you’re a positive
person, keep spreading that positivity because the world needs all
that it can get.
Bio:
Lou Panico was raised in Linden, New Jersey, a hop, skip, and a jump away from New York City. From a young age, Lou was singing, dancing, and performing in front of anyone who would let him. He was recruited into the NJ All State Children’s Choir in elementary school and would start performing in musicals in school.
After discovering punk rock (most notably, his favorite band of all time
Blink-182) in middle school, Lou started playing guitar and writing his own
music. He started his first band in freshman year called BLUE STAR DRIVE.
He attended Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, NJ) where he met other
like-minded players who were also in bands. He joined SOCRATIC (Drive-Thru Records) shortly after and began to travel the world to Japan, Australia,
and all around the continental USA performing original rock and roll songs.
Lou has worked with Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 (Mark produced the 2008 Socratic album “Spread The Rumors”) and has shared the stage with acts like Incubus, All American Rejects, The Offspring, Saves The Day, Brand New, The Early November, Say Anything, Jack Antonoff, and many more.
Lou also performs music with his wife, Natalie Farrell who is an amazing pop singer residing in Asbury Park, NJ. Natalie just recently performed at PNC Arts Center with Sammy Hagar and George Thorogood.
