We all have a few bad ideas we can't stop coming back to. Danke and dB Smith turned that title into a three-minute shot of energetic electro pop. "Bad Ideas" came out on October 16, 2026, and it's the latest chapter in a partnership that has been turning out singles all year.
Who Is dB Smith?
dB Smith is the production alias of Los Angeles-based composer, producer and songwriter Dave Brandwein. The project launched in 2025 with a collaboration alongside Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. Brandwein's recent work includes composing for Netflix's Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal, and before dB Smith he was the co-founder, frontman and main songwriter of Turkuaz. With that band he played Red Rocks, Bonnaroo and Blue Note Tokyo and worked with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and Adrian Belew. He also releases indie, rock and folk music as Band For Sale.
Danke and dB Smith: A Steady Partnership
Danke has become a regular partner for dB Smith. Before "Bad Ideas", the two released singles like "tell em that you know me", "Getaway", "The Countdown", "Gimme Mine" and "Rectify". Outside this duo, Danke appears on tracks with Gerry Read, FUTVRST, and Troy Kurtz and Lubelski.
Danke & dB Smith's "Bad Ideas": Who Does What
The roles on "Bad Ideas" are clear. Danke sings lead, while dB Smith handles the programming and production. Dave Brandwein wrote the music. The track is released by dB Smith independently and runs just over three minutes, short and to the point, the way radio-ready pop should be.
Electro Pop Meets Alt Pop
"Bad Ideas" sits between electro pop and alt pop, with a commercial edge and an energetic mood. Electro pop puts synths and electronic beats at the center of a pop song, while alt pop brings a bit more attitude and a looser sense of what pop is allowed to be. For a producer who fronted a funk band on big stages, it's another step in a project built on crossing genre lines.
Final Thoughts
What's the best bad idea you ever had? And which Danke and dB Smith single is your favorite so far? Tell us in the comments.
A Tip for Independent Artists
dB Smith released "Bad Ideas" independently. If you're an independent artist putting out your own records, DistroKid (affiliate link) makes it simple to distribute your tracks to Spotify, Apple Music and the other major platforms, and this link gets you 7% off your membership. It's an easy way to reach more listeners and keep more of your earnings.
