DAN GUTSTEIN

From improv to punk to improv

I began collaborating with the DC-area improv band Heterodyne in 2016, joined the Trenton-based punk band Joy on Fire for a few years and a couple of albums, before returning to the improv scene in 2024 with Fanoplane. Co-led by Ted Zook and NPR’s Bob Boilen, Fanoplane recorded Live at the Black Cat! (at the legendary venue of the same name) in October, ‘24. In February ‘25, the group held a record-release party at another legedary Washington, DC venue, Comet Ping Pong (pictured above.) When I say “improv” I mean improv. Everything we do is unscripted.

states of america and unknown cities

Joy on Fire’s hard-charging album, States of America, appeared in June 2022 from Procrastination Records, with video debuts and press coverage at NPR’s All Songs Considered, Jammerzine, and several international film festivals, among other media outlets. Peak chart positions included #45 (Roots Music); #110 (Muzooka); and #164 (NACC 200). I contributed vocals to every song on States of America as well as a couple of songs on Unknown Cities (2022), including the title track. Anna Meadors and John Paul Carillo (pictured above) are the group’s core members. Scroll down for some press coverage, honors for music videos, and embedded YouTube music videos.

Press and Honors for Music Videos:

In debuting our video for “Thunderdome” (below), Bob Boilen of NPR’s All Songs Considered commented that “Joy on Fire intensifies its already fiery sound with the addition of poet and singer Dan Gutstein.”

“Uh Huh” (below) was awarded best music video at Obskuur Ghent Film Festival (Spring 2021) and was a runner-up, finalist, and / or official selection at 14 other festivals between 2020 and 2022, including Oregon Short Film Festival and Brussels Independent Film Festival.

All About Jazz cited the “wide-eyed Beat poetry of narrator Dan Gutstein” in reviewing the Joy on Fire album Unknown Cities.

25YL referred to Joy on Fire’s “bubbling energy and layered orchestration” when debuting the video for our song “Unknown City.” (below)

American Pancake noted the jagged punk eruptions for song and video “Happy Holidays” (below).

Kendra Beltran conducted a fabulous interview with the band at ZO Magazine.

Jammerzine described the Joy on Fire song and video “Selfies” (below) as being “sonically decadent in all the right spots.”

Gun collage for Thunderdome EP (on landing page) by Gerald Ross. You can visit his website [here].