London-based artist Dan Michaelson will release his somber, deeply-layered album Distance on Monday (the 18th.) The single, “Breaking Falls,” was featured in MTV’s Teen Wolf — but that aside, it’s a beautiful song. Dan took the time to answer some of my questions about his approach to songwriters.
Your music is richly textured and — from a pop writing perspective — nonlinear. Could you describe your creative process?
I
usually have a line or a string of words that feel true to me or seem
to suggest a descriptive framework around my mood. I let that sink in
for as long as it takes then build a narrative around it. Take a grain
of truth and build a story around it. With that a melody naturally comes
to hold it all together.. then I just try to make it sound as much like
a song as i can.
usually have a line or a string of words that feel true to me or seem
to suggest a descriptive framework around my mood. I let that sink in
for as long as it takes then build a narrative around it. Take a grain
of truth and build a story around it. With that a melody naturally comes
to hold it all together.. then I just try to make it sound as much like
a song as i can.
I hear a lot of influence from the National in your music. Who else do you draw from for inspiration?
The
early inspirations will be familiar to most people.. Leonard Cohen and
Lou Reed were the earliest, the people who knew you didn’t need to be
the greatest technical singer, that an individual voice with something
to say can be more important. After that i found Lee Hazelwood, another
strange and wonderful voice. Eventually I fell for the soul music of
Etta James, Carla Thomas, Darondo and such.. All the Chess artists, The
Supremes.. a long list that also readdressed the balance in terms of a
female voice. Like most people, I’m the product of a thousand influences
seen through fresh eyes, I hope.
early inspirations will be familiar to most people.. Leonard Cohen and
Lou Reed were the earliest, the people who knew you didn’t need to be
the greatest technical singer, that an individual voice with something
to say can be more important. After that i found Lee Hazelwood, another
strange and wonderful voice. Eventually I fell for the soul music of
Etta James, Carla Thomas, Darondo and such.. All the Chess artists, The
Supremes.. a long list that also readdressed the balance in terms of a
female voice. Like most people, I’m the product of a thousand influences
seen through fresh eyes, I hope.
Do you prefer recording your music or performing it live?
They
seem so different to me, its impossible to choose. One is a very
private experience, the other an “outing” of all those moments. I find
recording to be a more natural instinct than standing in front of a room
of people. But one insists upon the other, I’d be unlikely to build a
house and refuse the opportunity to live in it.
seem so different to me, its impossible to choose. One is a very
private experience, the other an “outing” of all those moments. I find
recording to be a more natural instinct than standing in front of a room
of people. But one insists upon the other, I’d be unlikely to build a
house and refuse the opportunity to live in it.
Your music feels rather dark and introspective. Do you find the writing
process cathartic?
process cathartic?
I do, its like shedding a skin and feeling fresh and
waking up with a clear outlook.. but the dust settles again quite
quickly so theres always more to do.
waking up with a clear outlook.. but the dust settles again quite
quickly so theres always more to do.