Daniel Leonard Nigro ( ; born May 14, 1982) is an American record producer and songwriter. He was previously the lead vocalist and guitarist of the indie rock band As Tall as Lions. Nigro has produced, written, and co-written songs for Sky Ferreira, Joe Jonas, Kylie Minogue, Caroline Polachek, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Dermot Kennedy, Reneé Rapp, Maisie Peters, Conan Gray, and Lorde.
Nigro has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and won two including Best Pop Vocal Album for Rodrigo's Sour (2021) and Producer of the Year, Non-Classical in 2025. In 2024, he was named "Producer of the Year" by Variety Hitmakers and Songwriter of the Year at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards.
Early life Daniel Leonard Nigro was raised in Massapequa Park, New York, on Long Island, to Louis, a second-generation business owner and Claire, an artist specializing in oil painting. In his youth he took piano, guitar, and voice lessons. His sister, Alexa, co-founded the Scough fashion company and his brother, Leonard, is an international chef.
Nigro attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. He once said that he "never felt the need to go to college", but went to Fordham University, although he would later drop out to pursue music.
Career As Tall as Lions With Saen Fitzgerald, Cliff Sarcona and two other high school friends, Nigro formed the indie rock band Sundaze in 1998, releasing an album called "Seal of Approval", that included "King of the World", which became a local fan favorite. In 2001, he formed As Tall as Lions, with Saen, Cliff and Brian Fortune. In 2002, they released their first EP, Blood and Aphorisms. In 2003, they signed a record deal with Island and Triple Crown Records and left college with the full support of their parents to pursue music full-time.
In 2004, the band released their debut album, Lafcadio, and began touring. In 2006, after some lineup changes, which now included Julio Tavarez as their bassist while Brian Caesar left the band, they released As Tall as Lions and began a headlining tour. In July 2007, they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. In 2009, You Can't Take It with You was released, peaking at number 88 on the Billboard 200 chart. By September 2010, the band split up. Upon the announcement of the news, their last shows sold out and more were added to the schedule. They immediately planned what would be billed as their reunion, which was performed in 2015 without new music to supplement it.
Songwriting Nigro moved to Los Angeles to become a songwriter, collaborating with childhood friend Justin Raisen. He found initial success with a jingle for a McDonald's advertisement and then with Sky Ferreira. Nigro began as a songwriter then learned production as he felt belittled by producers he worked with and didn’t feel like he could exercise full creative control over his work without being a producer.
Amusement Records
After Nigro and singer-songwriter Chappell Roan had worked together for years, Roan was dropped by her former record label. To continue writing, producing and releasing songs together, Nigro formed independent label Amusement Records in 2023. Though originally formed for Roan, Nigro said he intended to build out its roster, as long as he believed in the acts. In 2025, Nigro and Amusement began an exclusivity partnership with Universal Music Group, later signing Devon Again as Amusement's second artist.
Personal life Nigro married visual artist Emily Williams in September 2020. Together they have two children. Their daughter Saoirse can be heard in the final seconds of Olivia Rodrigo's song "Teenage Dream".
Discography As Tall as Lions Album Release date Label Billboard 200 peak Lafcadio May 18, 2004 Triple Crown Records – As Tall as Lions August 8, 2006 Triple Crown Records – You Can't Take It With You August 18, 2009 Triple Crown Records 88 Into the Flood (EP) November 27, 2007 Triple Crown Records
Songwriting and production credits +KeyIndicates songs solely written or produced by Dan Nigro Year Artist Song AlbumWritten withProduced with 2011 Kimbra "Cameo Lover"VowsKimbra–2012Sky Ferreira"Lost in My Bedroom"GhostSky Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, Justin Raisen–2013"You're Not the One"Night Time, My Time–"I Blame Myself"Sky Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, Justin Raisen, Jordan Benik–"I Will"Sky Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, Justin Raisen–"Love in Stereo"Sky Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, Justin Raisen, Jeremiah Raisen–2014Kylie Minogue"If Only"Kiss Me OnceAriel Rechtshaid, Justin Raisen–"Golden Boy"–Billy Idol"Can't Break Me Down"Kings & Queens of the UndergroundBilly Idol, Greg Kurstin–Dillon Francis"Hurricane" (featuring Lily Elise)Money Sucks, Friends RuleDillon Hart Francis, Leah Hayes, Oliver GoldsteinDillon Francis, Oligee2015Twin Shadow"When the Lights Turn Out"EclipseGeorge Lewis, Wynne Bennett–Little Boots"Help Too"Working GirlLittle BootsSoleeCarly Rae Jepsen"When I Needed You"EmotionCarly Rae Jepsen, Ariel Rechtshaid, Nate Campany, Tavish CroweAriel RechtshaidJR JR"Gone"JR JRJoshua Epstein, Mike Higgins, Daniel Zott–2016A-Trak"Parallel Lines" (featuring Phantogram)A-Trak, Joshua Carter, Sarah Barthel, Dave 1, Cory Enemy, Mereki–Zella Day"Man on the Moon"Man on the Moon / Hunnie PieZella Day KerrSole production "Hunnie Pie"Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness"Walking in My Sleep"Zombies on BroadwayAndrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Morgan Kibby–2017Lo Moon"This Is It"Lo MoonMatt Lowell–"Thorns"–Lewis Capaldi"Mercy"BloomLewis CapaldiSole production 2018Rae Morris"Physical Form"Someone Out ThereRae Morris–Finneas"Heaven"Finneas O'ConnellFinneas O'ConnellLo Moon"Tried to Make You My Own"Lo MoonMatt Lowell, Christian Baker–"My Money"Matt Lowell–"Real Love"–"The Right Thing"Matt Lowell, Samuel Stewart–Empress Of"When I'm with Him"UsJim-E Stack, Empress OfJim-E Stack, Empress OfConan Gray"Generation Why"Sunset Season–Sole production "Crush Culture"–Conan Gray"Greek God"–Sole production "Lookalike"–Lo Moon"For Me, It's You"Matt LowellMatt Lowell2019Grace VanderWaal"The City"Letters Vol. 1Grace VanderWaalIdo ZmishlanyRiverdale cast"These Are the Moments I Remember"Riverdale: Season 1 (Original Television Soundtrack)Christopher Gabriel–Conan Gray"The King"Conan GraySoleeHey Violet"Better by Myself"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (Music from the Netflix Film)Casey Moreta, Gabe Simon, Rena Lovelis, Nia LovelisFreya Ridings"Castles"Freya RidingsFreya RidingsMark Crew, Dan Priddy, Yves RothmanCaroline Polachek"I Give Up"PangCaroline Polachek, James StackCaroline Polachek, Jim-E Stack, Dan Carey"Look at Me Now"Caroline Polachek, Daniel Eisner HarleCaroline Polachek, Danny L Harle"So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings"Caroline Polachek, Teddy GeigerCaroline Polachek"Door"Caroline Polachek, James Stack, Daniel Eisner HarleCaroline Polachek, Jim-E Stack, Daniel Eisner Harle Conan Gray"Checkmate"Kid Krow–Sole production "Comfort Crowd"Conan Gray"Maniac"2020"Wish You Were Sober""The Cut That Always Bleeds"–"Fight or Flight"–"Affluenza"Conan Gray"(Can We Be Friends?)"–"Heather"–Jam City"The Story"–Sole production Lyn Lapid"Producer Man"Lyn LapidChappell Roan"California"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest PrincessKayleigh Rose Amstutz"Love Me Anyway""Pink Pony Club"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess2021Half Alive"Time 2"Josh Taylor, J. Tyler Johnson, Brett Kramer & Ariel Rechtshaid–Cautious Clay"Roots"Deadpan Love–Johan Lenox, Jim-E Stack, Cautious ClayRosie"100 Headaches"Rosaileen Scher–Olivia Rodrigo"Brutal"SourOlivia RodrigoSole production "Traitor""Drivers License""1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back"Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Jack AntonoffSole production Olivia Rodrigo "Deja Vu"Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, St. Vincent"Good 4 U"Olivia RodrigoAlexander 23 "Enough for You"–Olivia Rodrigo "Happier"–Sole production "Jealousy, Jealousy"Olivia Rodrigo, Casey SmithJam City "Favorite Crime"Olivia RodrigoSole production "Hope Ur Ok"Conan Gray"People Watching" SuperacheConan Gray, Julia Michaels"Astronomy" Conan Gray 2022"Movies""Best Friend""Yours""Jigsaw""Family Line""Footnote""Memories""The Exit"Conan Gray, Julia MichaelsRyan LinvillHatchie"Quicksand"Giving the World AwayHarriette Pilbeam, Joe AgiusSole production Maisie Peters"Good Enough"Maisie PetersChappell Roan"Naked in Manhattan"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest PrincessKayleigh Rose Amstutz, Skyler StonestreetSole production "My Kink Is Karma"Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Justin Tranter"Femininomenon"Kayleigh Rose AmstutzMike Wise"Casual"Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Morgan St. Jean Ryan Linvill2023"Kaleidoscope"Kayleigh Rose AmstutzSole production "Picture You""Red Wine Supernova"Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Lisa hickox, Amy Kuney, Annie Schindel Noah Condrad, Lixa"Hot to Go!" Kayleigh Rose AmstutzSole production "After Midnight" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Casey Smith"Coffee" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Maya Kurchner, Eric Leva"Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Annika Bennett, Jonah Shy Mike Wise, Jonah Shy"Guilty Pleasure" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Marcus Andersson, Nate CampanySole production Caroline Polachek"Welcome To My Island"Desire, I Want to Turn Into YouCaroline Polachek, James StackCaroline Polachek, Danny L Harle, Jim-E Stack, A. G. Cook Olivia Rodrigo"Vampire"GutsOlivia RodrigoSole production "Bad Idea Right?""All-American Bitch""Lacy""Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl""Logical"Olivia Rodrigo, Julia MichaelsRyan Linvill"Get Him Back!"Olivia RodrigoAlexander 23, Ian Kirkpatrick"Love is Embarrassing"Sole production "The Grudge"Ryan Linvill"Pretty Isn't Pretty"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy AllenSole production "Teenage Dream"Olivia Rodrigo"Can't Catch Me Now"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By)2024"Obsessed"Guts (Spilled)Olivia Rodrigo, St. Vincent"Girl I've Always Been"–"Scared of My Guitar"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen"Stranger"–"So American"Olivia Rodrigo Conan Gray "Holidays" rowspan=4 Conan Gray Ethan Gruska, Conan Gray Chappell Roan "Good Luck, Babe!" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Justin Tranter Sole production 2025 "The Giver" Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Paul Cartwright "The Subway" Kayleigh Rose AmstutzConan Gray"Vodka Cranberry"WishboneConan GraySole production "Actor""Caramel"Jon BuscemaLorde"What Was That"Virgin–Lorde, Jim-E Stack"Broken Glass"Lorde, James StackLorde, Jim-E StackReneé Rapp"That’s So Funny"Bite MeReneé Rapp, Alexander Glantz, Luka Kloser, Ali Tamposi– 2026Olivia Rodrigo "Drop Dead" You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen Sole production "Stupid Song"Olivia Rodrigo"Honeybee"–"Maggots for Brains"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen"U + Me = <3"Olivia Rodrigo"My Way"Olivia Rodrigo, Steph Jones"Purple"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen"The Cure"Olivia Rodrigo"Begged"–"What's Wrong with Me"Olivia Rodrigo, Sasha Alex Sloan"Less"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen"Expectations"Olivia Rodrigo, Amy Allen"Cigarette Smoke"Olivia RodrigoGracie Abrams"Look at My Life"Daughter from HellGracie Abrams, Aaron Dessner
Awards and nominations