In Conversation With #094 - Dan D'Lion
‘When One Thing Leads To Another’ is the latest mixtape from the unique artist that is Dan D’Lion. The collection throws everything out of the park, breaks down rules and is done so in such a cool way that it can only be described as pure electricity. It’s a mixture of soul, jazz and kind of something Prince would of been proud of - Dan took a moment to talk to us about the release and how it all came together.
Hey there, so the mixtape is finally out there - how does it feel?
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed creating this project! Letting it out into the world is a weird feeling. Obviously just having it on my laptop for months, listening and tweaking everyday to finally release it feels so great. Putting it out in this moment of history will be one to remember!!
It is called ‘When One Thing Leads To Another’ - does that hold a certain meaning to you?
Absolutely. This project highlights the emotions I go through in every relationship or friendship I have. Whether they make me feel on top of the world or ruin me, I learn something from every one. ‘When One Thing Leads To Another’ is a full circle project. I want people to hear it in full and stick it on loop!
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the recording process you are happy to share with us?
This project was recorded mostly at my studio in East London, some in the middle of nowhere in Devon at my guy Pat's place, an AirBnB in Hollywood and finished at my parents’ house in lockdown! It was quite a whirlwind making this project! As we watched the world go into lockdown, I was running round like a mad man getting everything done! Went over to LA in February and had to cancel half of my trip as I was ill in bed with a cheek the size of a basketball, watching the Matrix. Finishing up the tracks and doing last bits of vocals in the room I learnt to play guitar in at my parents house over lockdown was actually so fulfilling.
What are the key themes and influences on the mixtape?
The main lyrical influences are from conversations with my closest people. Musically, this project stemmed from sitting down at the piano or having a guitar in my hands. I really went back to writing the songs in full before recording anything.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the mixtape? If so, which one and why?
Great question. ‘Oh I wanna be surfing underneath the joy of you’. No explanation.
Your dad is a jazz drummer - what was it like growing up in that environment? Did it help push you into a musical direction?
100%. I mean I was basically encouraged from an early age to make as much of a racket as I could! Always being brought in to late night jams with their friends… My dad would play the weirdest music but there was always something that would stick out to me which definitely encouraged me to search the spectrum of sounds and strive to push boundaries.
You moved to London when you were aged twenty, and took on multiple jobs to make ends meet. What sort of jobs were they? Any really bad ones?
I mean, I worked on a fish counter for a little while. Friday nights were not ideal going out smelling like cod. Also I did some waiting which I hated. I always managed to spill drinks over people so was fired from that. I also worked at the studio where I now have my own spot - feels like home!
It is hard to put your music into a category, it mixes so many different genres that constantly catch you by surprise - so how does an idea start with you and when do you decide it's finished?
I start every song so differently. I wrote ‘Impressions’ in a dream! I woke up at like 2:30 in the morning and had to whisper the riff into my voice notes then went in to the studio the next day and recorded pretty much the whole track. Couldn’t have finished this without my boy Oscar though. ‘Pull Me Under’ went through 15 or 16 different versions until I was happy with what it is now. It was called ‘Captain Octopus’ at one point! It’s so difficult to know when to put the brush down. I’m a big believer in working on something until you can’t listen to it anymore!! That’s when I know it’s done.
Is this a new step for Dan D’Lion? If so, what next?
I am working with a lot of very talented people right now and that might be reflected in my next release.