Q & A Scene: Dan Brodie

Tell us about your latest single/album/ tour. 

My new single is called ‘(I Can Feel) Love Closing In’- it’s the second single off my forthcoming Album to be released in 2023.

I started recording it in July 2021 with producer Mic Hubbard and I’m really happy with how it turned out – it’s sonic infrastructure is both simple but very lush. Shane Reilly’s pedal steel just kills me and Katie Bate’s backing vocals take me to my happy place.

Hear it here

What’s your favourite work at this point in time? 

I made an Album called ‘My Friend The Murderer’ in 2011 at Head Gap studios in Preston with the Grieving Widows, which included my brother Chris on bass and Dave Nicholls on drums, which I still love for it’s consistency in sound and purpose.

I went in with a clear bunch of themes in mind  – alienation, trauma, mental illness and the underbelly of Australia society, and I think it delivered, which I find hard to do because it’s easy to get sidetracked or too impressed with yourself and you end up covering too many genres and go in too many tangents. This record got me over to Europe where I continue to tour

Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.

I went to New York in the early oughties and on my first day I ran around with my CD going into every small music venue, trying to hustle a show.. “cos I was from Australia and I was only in town for a month and New York was very lucky to have me” etc ect… The next afternoon I got a call from (legendary New York punk club), CBGB, they had a band drop out and did I want to play that night? Chutzpah is everything in the music biz.

What, or who, inspires you?

My dad was a huge source of inspiration. He kept a strong faith and optimism throughout his life despite the many heavy curve balls which came his way – he never gave up.

Which song do you wish you wrote?

Stranger’s Kiss – Alex Cameron

What’s next for you?

I have a bunch of Single launches with Ben Mastwyk and Patrick Wilson this year with a newly minted sponsorship from non-alcoholic beer company, Heaps Normal.

I also have a spoken word Album and accompanying book which I recorded over lockdown as well as a memoir which I am half way through. Also playing piano and the accordion with a heap of both local and interstate artists which I love doing!

How would you describe your sound in food form and why? 

A late night Souvlaki  – a little bit creamy, occasionally acidic, full of flavour, sometimes shit, mostly really good.

What’s your scene?

I like a small venue with a band playing a great song just a little too loud, the audience along for the ride, friendly bar staff and a really good chef.

                  George Lane ticket link – https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/972541

Dan Brodie: (I can feel) love closing in / Single Release 

Following on from 2019’s exquisite ten track Album release, ‘Funeraria do  Vale’ (praised by Rhythms Magazine as “..fascinating sonic twists and turns of  phrase make this album an endlessly rewarding listen”, the new single brings  listeners up to date after almost three years of lockdown. 

With ‘(I can feel) love closing in’, the two-time ARIA nominee invites the listener  into a fever dream of longing and desire, set against the backdrop of Paris,  Chinatown, the Cold War and reality TV stars; “with glasses on their face and  tattoos on their chests”. 

Brodie’s prodigious musical talents have earned him a loyal following across  Australia, the U.S. and Europe, performing at New York’s CBGB, L’Olympia in  Paris, Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay Bluesfest and recent headline  appearances at this year’s Dashville Skyline and Tamworth Country Music  Festival.

‘(I can feel) love closing in’ sees Brodie team up once again with  producer Michael Hubbard (from Melbourne’s Shrimp Shack Studio) creating a  lush musical landscape of drums, accordion and pedal steel (care of Lost  Raga’s Shane Reilly) and coaxed along by the achingly seductive backing vocals  of Katie Bates; a shimmering palette for Dan’s tender and evocative vocal delivery.

To celebrate the release, Dan will perform a triple headline showcase on Saturday  Nov 12 at George Lane in St Kilda, with cosmic cowboys Ben Mastwyk & His  Millions and Patrick Wilson.

Don’t miss this triple treat of top-shelf Melbourne Americana at St Kilda’s  iconic George Lane.