Hello, my name is Dan Parsons. I’m a Melbourne based singer-songwriter who’s just about to release his second LP. I recorded it myself, played most of the instruments myself and came up with the songs- all by myself! I’m essentially a folk guy, but I like rock ‘n’ roll and country music, too. There are glimpses of this in my music. Coming up for me is a brief east coast tour and some Melbourne shows besides.
Tell us a little bit about your new self-titled record. We hear it was written while you were in America and the UK. How did those countries affect your songwriting?
I don’t know if those countries specifically influenced or affected my songwriting, but sharing a tour van with 4 other musicians will certainly open you up to new music whether you like it or not. Also, being away from your immediate scene can put that sense of ‘fashion’ into perspective. At the risk of sounding obtuse; the world is a very big place. Most importantly, I think, is that I made a reconnection with my musical roots whilst overseas.
How do you think your new album differs from your debut?
Firestarter was an electric record. In some ways, I see the writing for that album as somewhat an experiment. I’m primarily an acoustic artist, so I strayed from what I was comfortable doing, purposefully. We (John Castle, James O’Brien and I) layered, double tracked and inevitably made a pop record. It was lots of fun, but it eventually started to feel like Firestarter was a holiday, and I really wanted to come home. The new album is undoubtedly a singer-songwriter record. The focus is on the acoustic guitar and vocal, with instrumental embellishment where necessary. I seem connect best in this mode.
You played the majority of the instruments on the record yourself. How many new instruments did you have to learn for the album?
The only instrument I learned around the time of recording was the pedal steel guitar. I bought one in Manhattan around July last year and just strapped myself to it. I feel as if I’ve been preparing to play that particular instrument for years, hearing players like Dan Dugmore and Buddy Emmons on my favourite albums and just imagining what it might be like to play one. That being said, I really am such a novice and the best players are older because it takes decades to master it. I’ve played drums since I was a kid, guitar since I was 16 and I play elementary bass and keys. I’m kind of- how do they say it? A jack of all trades and master of none.
While playing the instruments yourself would have undoubtedly been a lengthy process do you feel you came away knowing more about yourself as a musician?
Not so much musically, but I definitely learned a lot in terms of process. I love the control that comes with recording everything yourself and I praised that notion many times throughout, but I think inevitably, it can become rather stifling. My next album will most likely be taking the opposite approach; I’d like to have four or fivr people in a room, recording live. As it’s often said, there’s a magic in the recording when music is captured that way. I’m a fan of imperfection, it just has to be the right kind!
Then of course, you taught yourself to record. Why did you want to craft so much of this album yourself? Many would argue that sometimes collaboration could make for a better album.
I really felt as if I was the only one who knew exactly what this album was to sound like. I’m an all or nothing kind of dude, so I basically just went for it. I didn’t want to hire someone to help make my music sound more fashionable, I didn’t need a lot of gear. To me, the song dictates exactly how it’s supposed to sound as it’s being written. I hear it finished in my head. Seeing as I’m pretty self contained, the decision seemed logical.
Some of the songs on the record like ‘Close Your Eyes Let It End’ have fairly dark subject matters. Did you find it easier recording some of the your more personal songs yourself?
Probably, although it didn’t feel like it at the time.
Your bio states that when you were based in Brisbane “at your most stretched Parsons’ found himself going up to five days at a time without food”. That’s pretty extraordinary. How do you think times such as these impacted on your music?
I was actually in Melbourne when that was happening. I was broke. We all are from time to time, aren’t we? The little money I did have was being spent on fuel to get me out to the place where I was recording, monthly rent and then I would start to think about groceries. I was like a stray cat, eating at friends houses and getting bits and pieces where I could. Maybe the question should be- ‘How do you think your music has impacted on times such as these?’ I say that, because I’ve always put my music first first and I have constantly been in situations like that because of being a musician.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod at the moment?
Gillian Welch- The Harrow And The Harvest; Harry Nilsson- Nilsson Schmilsson; Tame Impala- Lonerism and Cass McCombs- Humor Risk.
If you could collaborate with any living Australian artist who would it be?
Don Walker. The man’s a legend!
What are your plans for the rest of 2013?
Play my launch tour shows, hopefully do some festivals in the Summer, record some more, tour some more and write some more.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
The next show is my album launch at The Old Bar! It’s on the 31st of July with the support of Big Smoke and Red & The Wolf. 8pm.
The new self titled album, plus ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Old Brown Shoe’ and all other releases in between are available on iTunes and at all good record stores.
Dan Parsons 2013 Australian Tour Dates
Melbourne @ The Old Bar Wednesday, 31st July 2013
Sydney @ Folk Club @ The Soda Factory Wednesday, 7th August 2013
Brisbane @ Dowse Bar (downstairs) Thursday, 8th August 2013
Melbourne @ The Wesley Anne Friday, 16th August 2013
