A music video shot in Sarasota could be what gives Daniel Landers his first dose of success stateside. The video “Love Me Tonight,” a single Landers is currently shopping to U.S. labels, has garnered more than 10,000 hits on YouTube. “It was kind of a renegade film project,” Landers said. “We put a lot of effort and fun into it.” 

The video was directed by Landers’ famous mother Audrey Landers (of Dallas fame) with cinematography by John Rusnak. Shot over two days in locations including Siesta Key beach and fields off Bee Ridge Road, the short film spotlights a new side to the 21-year-old musician, who enjoyed success abroad after making it to finals of the European version of X Factor. Back then, Landers’ sound was more power pop, but today he is exploring a more confessional singer-songwriter side to his own writing. That comes after studying music in the University of Miami’s conservatory.

“I feel like before I was a singer and writer, but not necessarily a musician,” he said. “When I taught myself piano and expanded on my guitar playing, I learned to compose in contemporary genres and classical as well. I became the musician I wanted to start becoming.”

See Daniel Landers' video "Love Me Tonight" on SRQ Backlot