Dan Deacon

Posted on 29th May 09 by Paul Murphy | 2

Dan Deacon, purveyor of electronic experimentation and memorable live shows performs two highly anticipated nights in Andrew’s Lane Theatre next week. Ahead of the gigs he told Drop-d about his latest album Bromst, one of his most memorable performances, and what to expect from the live show with the enseble.

Drop-d: How does your new album Bromst differ from Spiderman of the Rings?

Dan Deacon: Spiderman of the Rings was absolute music (music without an emotional theme or a narrative behind it). It was music and wasn’t trying to convey any emotion. It was music written for the live setting. Bromst is program music. It has an emotional content and has narrative themes woven into the musical texture. This album was also written with the home listener in mind. It was an album that was meant to be just as strong at home as it is in live performance.

Drop-d: Who or what has been the biggest influence on your music?

Dan Deacon: Music would be other Wham City bands, Lightning Bolt, Devo, Talking Heads, They Might be Giants. Books like Breaking Open the Head and The Road have been major influences on my newer work the biggest art influence would be the American landscape. There is nothing like driving coast to coast. The land is beyond description.

Expect nothing, be open minded, and hope to have a good time

Drop-d As your are experimental with your gadget tweeking and sound manipulation are you ever faced with boundaries in music composition and do you try to push them down?

Dan Deacon: Isn’t that the whole point?

Drop-d: You’re currently on a massive tour, what can people who have never witnessed your live show expect to see?

Dan Deacon: I hate expectations. My only hope is that an audience member would come to the show expecting nothing, being open minded, and hope to have a good time.

Drop-d: What has been your best live show to date?

Dan Deacon: I’m not sure. A lot of shows are awesome for different reasons. My show at Vicar St was totally insane and a lot of fun at future days. I would put that in the top ten favorite shows.

Drop-d: Why do you perform in the crowd without the use of a stage?

Dan Deacon: I only do that solo, not with the ensemble. I do it solo because the show isn’t about seeing me, it’s about the audience interacting with each other and creating a feedback loop of energy. I play on the stage with the ensemble to better communicate with the ensemble and the audience. It’s a much different show with the ensemble.

Drop-d: Have you ever performed to a crowd that shunned you audience participation antics?

Dan Deacon: Nope

Drop-d: How important is that participation in your overall performance?

Dan Deacon: I’d say it’s very important. It helps to change the context of the space and the performance. It makes it what it is.

Drop-d: Do you prefer to playing live or composing?

Dan Deacon: It depends on when you catch me. Right now I’d rather play live. I’m not working on anything very big at the moment. I just finished 2 large pieces and I’m doing editing work on a 3rd so playing life is a lot more interesting. Come the summer I’m sure I will prefer writing.

Drop-d: What’s the most essential piece of equipment in your rig?

Dan Deacon: Everything is linked together, its like Voltron. did they have Voltron in Ireland? Anyway, each piece servers a very important function. It’s like one instrument rather than many small ones.

Dan Deacon plays Andrew’s Lane Theatre on Wed 3^rd and Thurs 4^th June

Myspace

Tags: Andrew's Lane, Bromst, Dan Deacon, Ensemble, interview, Spiderman of the Rings, Voltron