For those in any music scene who play in multiple bands, it’s a fairly regular occurrence to have back-to-back gigs during the weekend with two different groups and be consistently busy performing. Dylan Taganas is no stranger to this.
Taganas is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar and songs with his backing band The Suitepaler and is also the bassist for 2/14 and Anything Ever. He’s based on Long Island, but splits his time between the New York and Connecticut scenes.
Music has been a part of Taganas’ life since he started playing piano at age four. The young Taganas didn’t stop there, soon picking up drums and guitar at ages five and six, respectively, before branching out to bass later. Guitar eventually became his main instrument as he began writing songs, particularly when he first picked up a Gibson SG he bought in 2021 that launched a wave of songwriting.
“When I pulled it out of the case, I started writing a lot more songs than I’ve ever done,” he said. “I’ve heard the phrase that instruments have songs in them, and that guitar helped out a bit more.”
Most of Taganas’ song ideas come from writing down ideas on his notes app or coming up with ideas spontaneously on guitar. He described his songwriting process as having an approach similar to graphic novels, with each verse being like a different comic panel to tell a story.
Taganas released his debut single, “Feelings’ Blues,” in 2020, a rocking blues rock number inspired by the classic rock artists he grew up listening to, though with a slight twist.
“I wanted to put my own spin on the classic 12-bar blues sequence with this unexpected turnaround in the middle section before going back into the normal 12-bar,” he said.
Performing live has also been a major part of his life, dating back to doing piano recitals as a kid and doing a music program through a local Sam Ash store with other musicians his age, the latter of which developed his love of being on stage.
In 2021, Taganas got an offer from his friend Grey Wilson, the son of Gin Blossoms frontman Robin Wilson, to play bass in his band The Mercurys. After playing his first show with the group in his hometown of Valley Stream, N.Y, Taganas and the band took the stage at The Paramount in Huntington, N.Y., one of the top venues on Long Island, opening for the Gin Blossoms. Taganas played with the band for the next three years until they broke up in 2024, but later released the songs “Drained” and “Leave Me Cut” under his own name.
As The Mercurys were winding down, Taganas wanted to put a group together to play his original music. By March 2025, his new backing group The Suitepalers made their debut and have performed consistently this year. One of the biggest shows they did came when they played at the David S. Mack Arena at Hofstra University – where Taganas graduated from in the spring – as an opening act for A Boogie With Da Hoodie at a music fest held on campus.
In addition to his work as a solo artist, Taganas has been the bassist of 2/14, a New York City-based pop punk trio, since 2022 and the bassist of Long Island-based rock band Anything Ever since 2024.
Being involved in three projects at once means that Taganas is always on the go, as it’s a constant balancing act to make proper time for all three bands.
“That’s something I’m trying to sort out and balance better,” he explained. “It’s all about constant communication with all the bands and telling everyone when I’m available.”
With each of his three projects, Taganas has been performing consistently in the Nutmeg state, which he has greatly enjoyed. He’s no stranger to Storrs audiences either, as he’s performed in Cowtown with 2/14 a few times and recently played at The Dog P0und with The Suitepaler on Friday, Sept. 26.
“It was so much fun getting to play my original music for the first time in Connecticut,” he said of his most recent performance in Storrs. “I’m happy to share my songs with people at UConn, I plan to play more up there.”