Entertainment
Mellow Metal Magic: Daniel Couts’ Debut EP Now Available
Daniel Couts: A Brief Overview
Daniel Couts is a dynamic artist whose talents bridge the worlds of music, film, and beyond. Growing up in a musical family within London’s entertainment scene, Couts honed his skills in music, drama, and film and TV studies, quickly diving into directing, acting, and music after college. His recent work includes serving as Executive Producer on the newly released film Hounds of War, featuring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra, and dropping his debut EP, Mellow Metal. With a slate of new projects on the horizon, Couts continues to push boundaries, keeping his career diverse and ever-evolving.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Daniel Couts to discuss his latest project, the debut EP ‘Mellow Metal’. In an intimate conversation, Daniel opened up about his creative process, the inspiration behind his music, and his vision for the future of film and music. With his passion and dedication shining through, Daniel shared his unique perspective on the intersection of art and innovation.
Your transition from acclaimed filmmaker to musical artist with “Mellow Metal” is fascinating. How does this genre-defying work reflect your philosophy of breaking boundaries in art?
Personally, I don’t think there should be any boundaries in art. Growing up in a musical family and attending a music school in Athens, Greece, music has always been the root of everything I’ve gone on to do in my life. Since 2019, I’ve been working hard and focusing on my company’s film production work that, sad to say, my music involvement become somewhat stagnant.
So, here we are in 2024, and I’ve decided not to shy away from any ounce of talent I might have. If I enjoy it, I need to do it. Plus, I’m the kind of person who always needs to create—It’s kind of a coping mechanism.
“Mellow Metal” has been described as a “cinematic journey for the ears.” Can you walk us through how you’ve translated your visual storytelling skills into this auditory experience?
That’s an excellent question. I’m not so sure who’s describing the EP as a cinematic journey for the ears, but it’s incredibly creative, and I’m definitely taking it as a compliment! So, thank you. I’d say my two biggest passions in the creative sector are visual storytelling (i.e. directing) and creating music, and I think I’ve developed a similar approach to both: there’s always something deeper than initially meets the eye… or ears.
I love movies that are deep and emotionally evocative, and musically, especially with Mellow Metal, I wanted to create something that blends various styles that I love and something that helps promote positivity, peace, and love. Not just a nice beat and melody, but something emotionally deeper.
You’ve worked with some of Hollywood’s elite. How have these collaborations influenced the creation of “Mellow Metal,” and are there any surprising industry figures who’ve contributed to this project?
I’d love to be able to say that I “produced this EP with so and so,” but unfortunately that’s not the case. I’ve had the privilege of working with and meeting some amazing people in the music and film industry in Greece, the US, and the UK. Every collaboration teaches me so much—both good and bad—and it’s enough to probably write an entire book about it. But regarding the creation of Mellow Metal, there are two people who played a huge role, one of them directly, and one of them indirectly.
The first person is my wife Nika Finch, who is a notable figure in the film and music sector. She actually introduced me to the world of metal music, and although I never thought it would happen, I fell in love with it. She introduced me to incredible bands like Nightwish and HIM; which leads to the second person who played a huge part in the creation of Mellow Metal without knowing it; Ville Valo— former singer from HIM and currently known as VV. After watching him perform live at London’s Royal Albert Hall, I felt so full of inspiration that I went home and just started writing. As a tribute to his great music, I even included my own version of his song Neon Noir on the EP.
Your Greek heritage is a significant part of your identity. How have you woven traditional Greek musical elements into the contemporary sound of “Mellow Metal”?
The answer to this is pretty simple, and one I may be disowned for, but… I didn’t. Not really. My father is a major songwriter and music producer in Greece and I grew up listening to Greek music non-stop and meeting the biggest Greek stars. This was awesome, but my biggest inspirations for Mellow Metal came from pre-existing styles of metal, mainly HIM’s own Love Metal. But, who knows, I may one day incorporate some Greek elements into future songs. In my book, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to art, especially music.
As the CEO of Opulence Pictures, you’re known for producing films that address social issues. How does “Mellow Metal” continue this mission in the realm of music?
Mellow Metal doesn’t directly touch on social issues, but I do aim to use this genre to promote peace and love, hence my MM logo on the cover that includes a dove with guitar necks for wings. That’s the symbol I use, as I think it captures the essence of my music pretty well.
You’ve mentioned synesthesia influencing your creative process. Can you explain how this neurological trait has shaped the soundscape of “Mellow Metal”?
Synesthesia is fascinating, and I actually experience it more when I produce music than I do when involved in film projects. Obviously, there are certain sounds I like when making music, but I tend to visualize the process. Especially with Mellow Metal, as it’s a genre I’ve never experimented with before, I approached each song by determining, not only what sounded right, but what felt right too, in terms of colors or textures. As crazy as it might sound, I would also describe Mellow Metal as a dark, soft velvet-like EP with subtle higher temperatures.
Growing up in a musical family in London must have been quite an experience. Can you share a cherished childhood memory that ignited your passion for both music and film?
There are so many. Growing up, the biggest driving force with regard to music was my parents. My father had a hard time growing up to pursue music as his parents didn’t want him to do so, and so he wanted to make up for that with me. He encouraged me to learn as much as I could and allow my talents to flourish, as did my mother. One of my fondest memories is when my parents surprised me with a drum kit and I spent all my free time playing it. Spoilt, I know, but I’m privileged to have such supporting parents.
Regarding video and film production, I came across that medium on my own and I was completely captivated by it. We had an old camcorder lying around and, after my father allowed me to use it, I became obsessed with it. I was filming anything and everything, and then going to my computer, offloading the footage from the Mini-DV tape, and then editing it all. I fell in love with the art of moving image, and continue to have a deep love and passion for it.
Your work often explores the intersection of different cultures. How has your Greek heritage influenced your artistic vision, and what personal experiences have shaped your unique perspective in the entertainment industry?
Aside from singing the occasional Greek song, I’d say that the biggest influence my Greek heritage has on my work is probably how I approach visual storytelling. I’m currently slated to direct two movies and my directorial style can be somewhat varied. I grew up watching tons of Hollywood movies but I did have my fair share of exposure to European movies as a child too, so my directorial style is probably a mix of both. I love the snappiness that American cinema generally has, but I like the depth of stories that many European movies have to offer.
With regard to personal experiences that have shaped my perspective, I can’t really point to any specific experience that I feel has completely set my unique perspective. We’re all unique, and our lives and experiences have shaped us all, and that’s what I love about music and cinema. Whether I’m listening to an artist or watching someone’s movie, their personalities and perspectives shine through. When it comes to my content, I create what I love. Some people might like it, some might not, but that’s just part of the game.
As someone who’s achieved success in multiple fields, what advice would you give to aspiring creatives who want to diversify their artistic portfolio like you have?
I would say the same thing I’ve been told by those who truly care about me: if you have a passion for something, do it. It’s as simple as that. There’s no need to drop one part of yourself to pursue another. I’ve been there, done that. All it does is waste time. Striking a balance between different projects can certainly be difficult, but once you figure it out, you’ll be fine. Also, take a look at other examples of people who have succeeded in multiple fields—they just do what they love and work hard at it. Don’t give up, and most importantly, don’t let opinions stand in the way. Morgan Freeman once said: “Don’t take criticism from people you would never go to for advice.” Remember that.
“Mellow Metal” seems to be just the beginning. Can you give us a teaser of your grand vision for merging film, music, and perhaps other media in future projects?
Mellow Metal is most certainly just the beginning for me. For starters, I’m already working on new music in the mellow metal genre, which I’d love to promote further. As far as movies go, I’m actively involved in several upcoming motion pictures, and as stated earlier, I’ll be directing two movies in the next couple of years. I think it’s inevitable that my journeys in music and film will overlap, and I look forward to projects that will allow me to do that. As for the immediate future, I’m focusing on live performances in addition to my film production work, and I look forward to seeing where that journey takes me.
As Daniel Couts continues to push boundaries in the music and film industries, he and his partner Roselyn Omaka are also dedicated to empowering fellow creatives through their joint venture, Bolanle Media. If you’re a filmmaker looking to elevate your project and reach new audiences, Bolanle Media offers innovative marketing solutions and collaborative opportunities to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re seeking promotional support, distribution guidance, or strategic partnerships, the Bolanle Media team is committed to helping you succeed. Reach out to them today to explore how they can help amplify your film’s impact and reach.
