Dolo Tonight - DVD Rental Store

On a mission to bring fun back into music, Dolo Tonight is defining his own brand of “awkward anti-pop” with his debut album DVD Rental Store. Expertly blending nostalgia with humor, the record is packed with bold anthems and buoyant chords produced by JUNO Award-winning, multi-Platinum producer Ryan Spraker (Weezer, Arkells).

Dolo knows exactly who he’s making music for: the weirdos, the outcasts, and anyone who’s ever felt like an awkward outsider. With the help of producer Ryan Spraker, he learned to let go of genre and perfectionism in the studio and embrace his full creative spirit. Drawing influences from indie pop greats like Phoenix and Passion Pit, his infectious choruses and playful lyrics (about everything from crocheting animal sweaters to drunken cake runs at Wawa,) reflect his belief that music should be as fun and authentic as possible.

His debut album draws inspiration from the nostalgia of the DVD rental store, an era before algorithms and endless scrolling led to a paralysis of choice. The expository opening track, a skit titled “DVD Rental Store Intro (908-224-4086)” sets the tone, with Dolo picking out an unmarked disc at his local video store. As the album progresses, many tracks play out as vignettes of coming-of-age stories inspired by indie cult classics like Juno.

With millions of views across social media and comment sections consistently pleading for new music, the 27-year-old musician is determined to turn fans into friends by creating music that reflects his vibrant personality and eclectic, colorful style. His approach is “intentionally unintentional,” meaning he doesn’t build a persona around his artistry. Instead, his full eccentric self is reflected in his work. “I’m just a weird, fun dude. I love writing weird lyrics,” he says. “I just like saying weird sh*t.”

Following two EPs, several standalone singles, and millions of streams across platforms, DVD Rental Store marks a sonic evolution in Dolo Tonight’s music. “For the first time, a lot of my personality is coming through in these songs,” he muses. “More so than in the past.”  While he wants fans to connect with his music in their own way, he does invite listeners to have a specific takeaway: “You’re allowed to have fun. Let yourself have fun!”