DANIEL SAINT BLACK Gets Personal on His New Album ‘BOBBY’

Los Angeles-based indie-pop artist DANIEL SAINT BLACK is opening a new chapter with his 10-track album, BOBBY. Bringing together heartfelt storytelling, catchy pop melodies, and personal experiences, the project gives listeners a closer look at the artist behind the music.

Originally from Algodones, New Mexico, DANIEL SAINT BLACK has built an impressive career that has taken him from church performances to stages across the country. With over 15 million streams worldwide, a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, and production credits for artists like Marc Scibilia, GoldFord, and Wilder Woods, he has continued to establish himself as both a performer and songwriter.

The album opens with its title track, “BOBBY,” before moving into songs like “BUSY BEE,” “A MILLION DOLLARS,” and “MOVIE SCREEN (1993).” Each title introduces another piece of the project's story, creating a collection that feels personal from beginning to end.

Tracks like “TOOK IT FOR GRANTED,” “FLOAT,” and “COUNT ON IT, KID” suggest themes of reflection, relationships, and finding your footing through life's unpredictable moments.

Meanwhile, “PLEASE LEAVE” and “HAPPY WITH ME” bring a more vulnerable perspective to the tracklist. Closing with “DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME (313),” the album leaves listeners with a title that feels especially fitting for an artist continuing to make his mark.

With BOBBY, DANIEL SAINT BLACK presents a project rooted in his identity and experiences, offering another look at the creative direction of an artist who has spent years developing his sound.

Your new album, BOBBY, feels like a deeply personal project. What inspired the title, and what does it represent about where you are in your life and career right now? 

It’s about as personal and vulnerable as I’ve ever been on a record. The title was inspired by a childhood nickname, and it really represents me getting back to the best parts of who I was as a kid. Free, courageous, present, big feelings, massive dreams, and tons of make-believe. I think a part of me just wanted to get away the the “business” side of music and remember why I’m making what I’m making and who it’s for. I think it can also serve as a reminder that we’re all gonna be ok and we have each other. 

With 10 tracks on BOBBY, what was the biggest challenge in turning your personal experiences into a complete album, and was there a particular song that pushed you outside your comfort zone? 

The biggest challenge for me here was not trying to cover my voice up with a bunch of fancy producer ear candy and tons of tuning and all that. I think I had to actually lean in and just be really courageously myself. Every record I give myself a limitation, and that’s a fun challenge that usually brings out great stuff - this one was limited to no samples and being at least 90 percent guitar-driven. 

Songs like “TOOK IT FOR GRANTED,” “PLEASE LEAVE,” and “HAPPY WITH ME” suggest different perspectives on relationships and personal growth. How much of this album comes from real-life experiences, and what did writing these songs teach you about yourself?

All of these songs are from personal experience. It’s funny, I was just telling someone that sometimes I learn how I am feeling about something or how much I am growing when I listen back to the songs I’ve written. They are even a window for me back into my own soul and growth. The biggest thing I learned about myself in this process is that I can be trusted, I have taste, I did my best, and that’s enough for me. 

You've built an impressive career as both an artist and producer, working with other musicians while developing your own sound. How have those experiences influenced the creative decisions behind BOBBY, and what did you approach differently this time?

I’ve made a lot of songs at this point, and I always learn something new every time I make one. I’m always listening and asking questions when I’m in the room, and people are really insightful. In producing for other artists, I love to hear who they reference for track sounds or who they are listening to. I think certain people like Harry Styles or Role Model, Medium Build, gave me permission to actually just sound like I sound and make what I love hearing instead of chasing some sort of commercial bullseye. 

Different this time was that I really stripped back some pop production layers I normally rely on as a safety net and was way more exposed and out in the open sonically. 

Looking back at your journey from New Mexico to Los Angeles, with millions of streams and major performances along the way, how does BOBBY reflect the artist you've become, and what do you hope listeners take away from this chapter?

I think BOBBY tells a story of relatability and acceptance of who we are at every level. I think it reflects that I have developed my palate, my choices, my taste to be more and more refined and more me than ever. I hope that listeners hear and feel immediately connected and seen. They feel like they can be themselves, belong to something, and be on the ground floor of something big, hopeful, and inspiring.