Interviews We Interview Vancouver songwriter Dan Mangan
We Interview Vancouver songwriter Dan Mangan
Vancouver songwriter Dan Mangan has today received four nominations for the JUNO Awards. Dan was nominated for Songwriter Of The Year, Alternative Album Of The Year, New Artist Of The Year and Director Jon Busby received a Video Of The Year nomination for “Rows Of Houses.”
We got to catch up with Dan before his tour kicks off on the 22nd in Melbourne at Northcote Social Club
What's your favourite track on this record, and why?
Probably "How Darwinian". I think I say that because I feel of all the new songs it's perhaps the furthest distance from my previous work. Not to denounce the old songs, but it makes me feel like I'm growing. Every step is as important as the previous and next, ya know?
You worked with a group of free jazz experimentalists, how did that effect your approach in crafting the album?
People who come from a non-lyrical place in music just have less restriction or structure in their approach to a song, and I appreciate that. My band has taught me a lot about improvisation and spontaneity in performance. I also just really like noise and chaos - it mirrors life. The world is pretty noisy and chaotic.
With artists like Gotye and Kimbra doing pretty well for themselves internationally, who are some Australian artists you'd really like to work with in the future?
I'd be a fool not to say Nick Cave. I might have to do some more drugs first.
There's a definite evolution reflected in this album from the previous one, and much of it was written whilst you were on the road were there any key on-the-road moments for you personally that influenced your work?
On this record, there's a current of "other peoples' shoes" - and that largely is the result of meeting hundreds of gas station employees in the last few years. Gas stations are a bizarre microcosm of humanity.
Before you've described your albums as honest and you talk about the importance of music having relevance and sincerity… Do you think that sincerity and honesty what's lacking in music these days?
No, not necessarily. There's always good music if you look for it. There's a lot of crap, but there's probably always been a lot of crap. I can't attest that my music is above crap, but honesty and sincerity is certainly a goal in the process. "Du Jour" music is just that, it's temporary. Music with legs doesn't need to lean too heavily on fashion or trend. I can get down with ultra-trendy music at times, and I think it serves a place, but I won't likely be playing it for my kids in ten years.
What, if anything, didn't make the album that you would have liked to?
We threw a lot at the wall to see what would stick. There were a lot of hours just sitting making feedback loops and noise pads. We've got some extra songs that we'll put on a 7" or something, and I actually quite like them - they just didn't fit with the rest of the material. Oh, and we decided against putting the T-Pain collab on the album.
There's a certain kind of anguish behind the work and it's set against rather triumphant is that what you set out from the beginning to reflect?
I dig juxtaposition. I like upbeat music with morose lyrics as much as I like morose music with upbeat lyrics. Take Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" for example. The album was the result of a lot of existential contemplation - existing is weird and full of paradox, so the music follows suit.
What's coming up next for you after all the touring that you're looking forward to the most?
I'm getting married later this year. We're throwing a party.
What is one thing about yourself that you would like people listening to your music to know?
I'd like to think that humans are smarter than fruit flies.
Interview by Christie Delizo - AAA Backstage
DAN MANGAN TOUR DATES – FEBRUARY 2012
PRESENTED by Love Police
WED FEB 22ND NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE
Tickets: http://northcotesocialclub.com/
THUR FEB 23rd MOONSHINE, THE HOTEL STEYNE, MANLY
*Just added - stripped back performance
FRI FEB 24TH NOTES, NEWTOWN, SYDNEY
Tickets: http://noteslive.oztix.com.au/
SAT FEB 25TH THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL, BYRON BAY
Tickets: https://thenorthern.oztix.com.au/
SUN FEB 26TH BLACK BEAR LOUNGE, BRISBANE
Tickets: https://tickets.oztix.com.au
TUES FEB 28TH THE GRACE EMILY, ADELAIDE
Tickets: http://www.flybynight.org/
WED FEB 29TH THE FLY TRAP, FREMANTLE
Tickets: http://www.flybynight.org/
‘Oh Fortune’ is out now through ABC Music/Universal
