Some places leave a mark on us that is difficult to explain. They become associated with particular moments in our lives, the people we were when we first discovered them, and the feelings that return whenever we find ourselves back in familiar surroundings.

For American singer-songwriter Harley DiNardo, the Catskills in upstate New York have become one of those places, offering a welcome contrast to the relentless movement of modern life. His new single, “Catskill Park”, draws on that connection, turning the landscape into the starting point for a song about belonging, self-discovery and the freedom that comes from occasionally losing your way.

Having spent much of his life moving between New York and Los Angeles, DiNardo knows something about the influence that different environments can have on a person. New York is where he grew up and began his musical journey, eventually fronting bands Closer and White Light Motorcade and becoming part of the city’s vibrant rock scene. Los Angeles brought another chapter, shaped by family, new experiences and the perspective that comes with time. The Catskills provide something different again, a place where the demands of everyday life can recede and attention shifts towards the landscape, the silence and the thoughts that emerge when there is room to think.

“Catskill Park” captures that relationship between place and identity. As DiNardo explains, he wasn’t trying to write a song about a destination, but to capture a feeling. It’s an important distinction. Here, the mountains become a lens through which to consider the many experiences, memories and different versions of ourselves that we carry through our life.

DiNardo draws on a combination of influences that feels entirely appropriate to the setting. He describes the single as a little of The Rolling Stones, a little of The Stone Roses and a whole lot of upstate New York. It’s an appealing meeting of classic rock swagger and British alternative sensibility, bringing together the instinct for a strong melody with a more atmospheric approach to songwriting.

What makes the combination interesting is the sense of place that gives it a distinct identity. DiNardo uses familiar reference points as part of a broader musical language, with the Catskills providing the inspiration that holds the song together. There is a desire to create something organic and expansive, with the character of a rock & roll recording but an atmosphere that reflects the landscape behind it.

DiNardo produced “Catskill Park” himself, with Mike Ferretti handling the mix. The production philosophy was to preserve the energy of the performance, allowing the recording to retain a certain rawness. Rock music can be powerful without being overworked, just as atmospheric songwriting need not sacrifice its immediacy. The intention was to make a record that felt alive, with a little mystery around its edges.

There is a broader idea at work here, too. The Catskills may be a particular place in upstate New York, but what they represent in DiNardo’s songwriting extends well beyond their boundaries. Most of us have somewhere that allows us to step outside our usual routines and see things differently. It might be a landscape, a familiar stretch of road or a place associated with a different stage of life. Returning there can bring back memories we had forgotten, while the passage of time allows us to see those experiences from another perspective.

For DiNardo, those shifting perspectives have become an increasingly important part of his creative life. His earlier musical chapters established him as a songwriter shaped by the energy of New York rock, but his more recent work reflects the experiences accumulated since then. Family, loss, reinvention and the challenge of finding a new direction have all added depth to his relationship with music. “Catskill Park” fits naturally into that evolution, connecting his longstanding love of rock & roll with a more reflective understanding of what makes a place meaningful.

Connect with Harley DiNardo:
Instagram // Spotify // YouTube.