The Artist Explains: Dan Croll - 'Rain' & 'Actor With A Loaded Gun'
Dan Croll has treated us to not one, but two new gems this week with double A-side single ‘Rain’ and ‘Actor With A Loaded Gun’. He took a moment to talk to us about the two tracks and how his life is adjusting having just location from England to Los Angeles.
You are releasing not one, but two singles - ‘Rain’ and ‘Actor’, what made you decide to double up?
The whole record will be coming out in pairs throughout this year, it felt like a really important thing to do as the foundation of the album is the story of my first year in L.A..The ordering of the tracks/pairs are in the narrative order as I wrote and lived those experiences, so it was important to me that the listener also hear and experience them in the way/order that I did to properly tell that story.
Do you have a favorite out of the two?
I really like ‘Actor with a loaded gun’, it was a funny experience to write about a party the morning after and reflect on how it was a bit of a car crash. My social anxiety was through the roof, I was surrounded by social climbers, totally out of my depth and very uncomfortable but I stuck with it, because I knew it was an experience I needed to have and the song was a funny and important reflection on that.
‘Rain’ tackles the subject of British weather, now you live in Los Angeles, do you miss it?
I do miss the British rain from time to time, but I think more so than that I miss the seasons. Los Angeles can just be a sunny dustbowl most of the year, and sometimes I find myself stepping outside missing the feel of a light shower, or an autumnal view, maybe some winter frost and things like that. That said, I’m soon heading back to the UK and half of it seems to be flooded, so I’m sure I’ll be sprinting back on that plain wanting the Californian sunshine not long after touching down.
You moved to Los Angeles eighteen months ago, which is the theme of the second track ‘Actor’, what lead to the change in location?
I think it was mainly a fear of just settling and being too comfortable back in Liverpool. I felt like if I didn’t leave at that moment then I never would, and I’d miss out on ever living in a big city, or another country, or having some spontaneous adventures so I just panicked and bought a one way ticket here.
How have you adjusted to it? Have you made any friends?
Its taken a solid two years but I’ve started to feel like I’ve just about found my feet. I didn’t know anybody here so it really was starting from scratch. It's such a strange and tough experience being 28/29 and having to ask yourself “how do I make friends again?”, because if I don’t then none of this is doable, everyone needs a social circle and the support of like minded people. I went through equal amounts fun and embarrassing experiences, was led astray and let down many times and had to learn how to trust my gut again, but I’ve come away with some lovely friends and it feels good to be social again.
Now the tracks are out there, what next?
More tracks, more live shows, hopefully more adventures, but no more moving countries thats for sure, I think once was enough!