Who Is Amigo the Devil? Meet Danny Kiranos

Long hair, a big beard, tattoos and a banjo: if you have seen Amigo the Devil live, you remember it. Here's a short guide to the man behind the name, for new fans and old ones.

Who is behind the name?

Amigo the Devil is Danny Kiranos, an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and banjo player. He was born in Miami in 1987 to a Greek father and a Spanish mother, and the music of both families found its way into his own. He started using the name Amigo the Devil while living in San Francisco.

What does murderfolk sound like?

Folk and country on the surface, with a heavy-metal heart underneath. His songs deal with murder, death and the people left behind, which is why fans and critics call it dark folk or murderfolk. The jokes are just as dark, and the crowds sing along anyway.

Which records should I start with?

• Manimals (2010), Diggers (2013), Decompositions (2015): the early EPs.
• Everything Is Fine (2018): the debut album, with "Hungover in Jonestown" and "Stronger Than Dead".
• Born Against (2021): recorded in Dallas with producer Beau Bedford, home of "Small Stone" and "Murder at the Bingo Hall".
• Yours Until the War Is Over (2024): with "Cannibal Within" and "It's All Gone".

Anything else worth knowing?

He co-founded the label Liars Club Records. And in 2019 the mayor of Austin, Texas, declared November 16 Amigo the Devil Day.

Want to wear a piece of that story? Shop the Amigo the Devil collection.