Daffin Records announced that artist, songwriter and producer Jon Lindsay has partnered with Don Gato Tequila, the brand founded by actor, writer and producer Danny McBride, to create its new original song, "Cool Times." Written, produced and performed by Lindsay, the track serves as an anthem for the Don Gato universe—a world centered on an undefeated, cat-loving luchador turned tequila maker with a formidable party ethos and an unwavering commitment to good times. Lindsay enlisted longtime collaborator Benji Hughes for backing vocals, adding depth to the song's warm, loose, and instantly familiar sound.
The song debuts in a new one-minute Don Gato house-party spot, written, directed, shot, and edited by Don Gato co-owner Chris Walldorf in Charleston, S.C. The visual captures a sun-soaked poolside blowout, with Don Gato pouring tequila, raising glasses, and eventually taking the party into the pool. Together, the song and film encapsulate the last golden stretch of summer while keeping the party rolling into fall. Musically, "Cool Times" is built for open windows, those final just-warm-enough afternoons as leaves begin to change, and one more round when nobody is ready for the night to end.
The track takes its title from Don Gato's "Made good. For cool times." ethos and extends a broader campaign that has already garnered significant advertising-industry attention. McBride and longtime collaborator David Gordon Green established the larger Don Gato world through the brand's "Saga of All Sagas" films, which were recognized by Ad Age, Adweek, and MediaPost for their unique mix of lucha libre mythology, tequila, cats, and McBride's comedic sensibility. Walldorf's new spot builds on that campaign with an original song that Lindsay saw as a natural extension of the Don Gato universe.
In a statement, Lindsay expressed his enthusiasm: "I've been such a fan of the world Danny created for Don Gato from day one. The ads have been insane and are getting a ton of well-deserved recognition. With as hard as the guys were going at the whole 'cool times' vibe, I couldn't believe there wasn't already a slammin' song for it. As soon as I had the demo done, it was obvious I needed to get the homie Benji Hughes on this thing." He also praised Walldorf, noting their years of collaboration, including Walldorf writing and directing the video for Lindsay's song "Dear Assassin" last year.
Walldorf echoed the sentiment: "It was a perfect fit as we all go way back. I went to film school with Danny and have been working with both Jon and Benji for years. It always makes for cool times when you're working with old friends, especially when they're as talented as Jon and Benji and knock it out of the park like they did."
Lindsay and Hughes have been making music together since their early days in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Lindsay serving as a longtime member of Hughes' band on keyboards and vocals. Last year, they embarked on a national tour spanning both coasts and an official SXSW showcase, with appearances alongside Jackson Browne and Jeff Bridges. Lindsay's fourth LP, Big Stage, was released by Daffin Records in 2025.
The collaboration underscores the growing trend of brands leveraging original music to deepen audience engagement and extend campaigns beyond traditional advertising. By tapping into Lindsay's and Hughes's musical chemistry, Don Gato Tequila not only reinforces its "cool times" message but also creates a cultural touchstone that resonates across seasons. The spot and song are poised to capture the carefree spirit of summer while transitioning seamlessly into fall, embodying the brand's laid-back, party-ready identity.
