DERRINGER DISCOVERIES
EP97: Queen with Dani Massaad from Sweden
Paul Derringer • April 21, 2026
e p i s o d e s
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? In Episode 97 of Derringer Discoveries, Team Derringer prepares for a royal audience as they dive deep into the discography of arguably the greatest stadium rock band in history: Queen. To help navigate the operatic highs and the rock-and-roll grit of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, the crew is joined by a very special guest from across the Atlantic.
Joining us from Sweden is the incredibly talented Dani Massaad. A multi-instrumentalist with a vocal range that would make the gods of rock take notice, Dani brings a fresh, international perspective to the Queen legacy. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" era or a newcomer to the band’s deeper cuts, this episode is a masterclass in musical appreciation.
In this episode, we explore:
- The Top 5 Countdown: Dani Massaad reveals his personal Top 5 Queen tracks. Which anthems made the cut, and which deep tracks surprised the team?
- The Anatomy of a Legend: A look at what makes Queen’s sound so distinctive—from Brian May’s Red Special guitar tones to the band’s pioneering use of vocal layering.
- The Swedish Connection: Dani shares his journey as a musician in Sweden and how the theatricality of Queen influenced his own approach to performance and composition.
- The Freddie Factor: A discussion on the irreplaceable charisma of Freddie Mercury and how his legacy continues to shape modern music.
Prepare to turn the volume up to eleven. From the stomping rhythm of "We Will Rock You" to the intricate harmonies of "Somebody to Love," Team Derringer and Dani Massaad celebrate the band that proved there are no limits to what rock and roll can be.
MEET THE GUEST
Dani Massaad is a Swedish-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist known for his impressive range and dynamic musicality. With a passion for classic rock and a technical prowess that spans multiple instruments, Dani has become a standout voice in the contemporary music scene.
Contact Dani:
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Paul, Alton, and Rob are back for Episode 98, and they are joined by Melbourne guitar virtuoso and best-selling author Joe Matera! Joe brings his expert insights to discuss his new book, The Making of ABBA: The Story Behind The Band's Breakthrough 1975 Album.
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In the music world, the name Dylan usually points to the legendary Bob Dylan. However, there is an artist in the family circle who deserves your attention. Peter Himmelman, Bob Dylan's son-in-law, is a singer-songwriter and performer whose talent rivals the family icon.
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In this episode, Team Derringer catches up with Hayley Reardon , a critically acclaimed folk-pop singer-songwriter whose soul-stirring lyrics and globe-trotting performances have captivated listeners worldwide. Known for her warm, storytelling voice and her extensive tours across Europe, Hayley joins us fresh off a string of U.S. shows in New York and Massachusetts before heading back overseas - especially to Germany, where she’s a frequent performer. ABOUT HAYLEY REARDON Hayley Reardon is a singer-songwriter and storyteller in the truest sense. Raised north of Boston, she spent three years in Nashville before taking her music global, including a six-month artist residency in Dachau, Germany. Her music has been described as " brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul " by Performer Magazine . IN THIS EPISODE Discover how Hayley’s international career lets her record and perform alongside legendary artists such as Lori McKenna (co-writer of “ Girl Crush ”), Anaïs Mitchell (creator of “ Hadestown ”), Rodney Crowell , and Ed Sheeran . Yes, the Ed Sheeran - the global superstar with over 92 million monthly Spotify listeners. Hayley reflects on these powerful collaborations and what they mean for her artistic growth. Most recently, she made waves by performing at Ed Sheeran’s " Old Phone Pub " pop-up in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her latest projects, recorded in Barcelona with Spanish collaborators, showcase her evolution as a world-class artist. Hayley’s journey is packed with authenticity, adventure, and soul - making this episode essential for anyone who loves indie and folk-pop, gripping artist stories, and the energy of live performance. Tune in for team banter, rich musical analysis, and plenty of surprises. And if you attend one of her shows, be sure to tell her Team Derringer sent you! PLAYLIST Check out the Derringer Discoveries playlist for this episode: Hayley Reardon - Extraordinaire . FIND HAYLEY Hayley Reardon: www.hayleyreardon.com Hayley on Instagram: www.instagram.com/hayleyreardon Hayley on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hayleyreardonmusic MUSIC AND PLANET FUNDRAISER Help us support four different environmental initiatives: tree planting in the Southwestern [UK], ecological restoration in Suffolk [UK], wildlife rehabilitation in Michigan [US], and solar energy and education in North Carolina [US]. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/conservingourfuturefundraiser
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EPISODE OVERVIEW Get ready to celebrate the legacy of one of music’s most iconic storytellers - Billy Joel . As news breaks that the Piano Man is undergoing treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), Team Derringer takes a heartfelt and humorous dive into his extraordinary catalog. But this isn’t your typical “greatest hits” tribute. We’re joined by a very special guest: 22-year-old singer-songwriter and pianist Max Weinman from Arizona. Max doesn’t just admire Billy Joel - he channels his spirit. With a striking resemblance to a young Billy and a musical sensibility to match, Max brings a fresh, passionate perspective to Joel’s work. IN THIS EPISODE Max shares how he first discovered Billy Joel and how the Piano Man shaped his own songwriting journey. He rates his fandom on a scale from 1 to 10 (spoiler: it’s high). And he reveals his Top 3 favorite Billy Joel songs - none of which were chart-toppers. That’s right: no “Piano Man,” no “Uptown Girl,” no “Just the Way You Are.” Instead, Max takes us deep into the vault with three underrated gems that deserve the spotlight. But that’s not all. After the countdown, we flip the mic and shine a light on Max ’s own music. Laura , Paul , and Alton each choose a track from Max’s 2024 debut album - “ Julia ,” “ In Our Silence ,” and “ A Sonata for Yesterday ” - and invite Max to share the stories behind the songs. It’s a powerful moment of connection between musical generations. Whether you’re a lifelong Billy Joel fan or discovering Max Weinman for the first time, this episode is a celebration of melody, memory, and musical storytelling. WANT TO JOIN THE SHOW? Be a Special Guest Want to be a Special Guest like Max? All you need is enthusiasm and a love for Derringer Discoveries! (Plus, subscribing to our newsletter and listening regularly helps!) Be a Featured Music Artist To be featured as a Musical Artist on Derringer Discoveries, you'll need 10,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify. How to Get Involved: Want to be a Special Guest? Drop us a line at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com with the major artist you'd like us to feature, plus your Top 5 favorite songs by that artist. Want to be a Featured Music Artist? Send us an email and include a Spotify link to your music at feedback@derringerdiscoveries.com . SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: BILL JOEL INSPIRED This episode features a Spotify playlist celebrating songs from the episode, plus other global artists who inspire us. If you're an artist inspired by this episode, send us a Spotify link to your song - if it fits the format and is a solid track, we’ll add it to the playlist (as long as you're a regular Derringer Discoveries listener!).
