Introducing:Danko

Scottish rockers Danko are back and louder than ever with their highly anticipated second EP, Take Your Time, out today via Distiller Records UK. Known for their raw, high-energy sound and no-nonsense approach to live music, the Falkirk four-piece recorded the EP under the watchful eye of legendary producer Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Laura Marling, Paolo Nutini).

Leading the charge is "Consistent Ignorance", a fan-favorite that channels the band’s early influences—think Arctic Monkeys meets The Strokes—but with a swagger that’s entirely their own. Having spent years cutting their teeth on the live circuit, Lewis White (vocals/guitar), Michael Garner (guitar), Jamie Burns (bass), and Matthew McAllister (drums) have crafted a sound that’s both steeped in rock history and fiercely fresh.

With a huge slot at Country 2 Country festival in London (March 2025) on the horizon and a burning ambition to become Scotland’s answer to Kings of Leon, Danko aren’t just here to play—they’re here to take over.

Your new EP, Take Your Time, has just dropped—how does this release represent where Danko is right now as a band?

I’d say it’s a bit a teaser of what’s to come… We have a load of songs ready to go so hopefully you’ll be hearing a lot more of us very soon! I’ve always been an album kinda person

 You recorded the EP with legendary producer Ethan Johns, known for his work with Kings of Leon and Laura Marling. What was it like working with him, and how did he shape the sound of the record?

Getting to work with Ethan truly was a dream come true for me personally. I’ve grew up listening to the music he has produced and I’d say he’s done easy three out of 5 of my top albums. He has a process and a way of working and I really felt it just sat perfect with us. It’s all about the song and the outcome. No egos or individuals just all about the song. How it should be!

You’ve drawn inspiration from classic rock and Americana, which sets you apart from the post-punk wave in UK guitar music. How do you see your sound evolving within today’s music scene?

Yeah we’re definitely unapologetically a rock n roll band. We don’t want be pigeon-holed into a genre or feel creatively confined to release a certain type of music. We’re making the music that makes us feel something and that we believe in. I think our evolution will be staying true to ourselves and keeping that ethos of releasing music that makes us feel something and hopefully that translates to the listener.

Playing live is clearly a huge part of Danko’s identity. With a big gig at Country 2 Country in London coming up, how do you prepare for high-profile shows like that?

We don’t prepare too differently to be honest, we have been and are always consistent with practice getting at least one in a week ideally 2, so if anything it’s just pick a set and run through it in the practice before the show try make the show flow as best as possible. But we are confident we are always ready to shred a big show, anytime anywhere.

Your band name pays tribute to Rick Danko of The Band-what is it about his music and legacy that resonates with you, and how does it influence your songwriting?

Not only as a band but as a group of friends we always loved The Band and anytime we are on the road you can be sure they will be blastin out the speakers. The way they blended Americana, Rock n Roll and bluesy rhythms among all sorts of different sounds to come together to make just some of the best music ever can only make you excited to come together as a band and try to do the same with your pals and bandmates. They influenced pretty much every big band over the years and a lot of the other bands who influence us as well, happy to put our name in the hat also.