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Perth MusicDan Bull Interview
With a new EP on the way and a some Eskimo Joe experience under his belt, Perth’s Dan Bull gave us an exclusive interview.
Q. Tell us a little bit of history about yourself as a singer/songwriter. How did you start out and what have you achieved?
I’ve played music most of my life (piano and frech horn) but started my 1st band in the late 90s. I had pretty much no idea what I was doing, but when I was younger I’d borrow Dad’s guitar when he was out and strum away and try to write songs. I wanted to play them in pubs and so that’s what I eventually started to do. I joined The Sleepy Jackson for a while and played keys with them, while still writing and performing my own stuff - then joined Eskimo Joe and played keys with them for the last 2 years and a bit - and still did my own stuff then too, but decided to take the solo route instead of doing it with a full band.
I released my 1st EP in May 2005 while Eskimo Joe was taking a break from touring. I was suprised at how well it sold (thanks all) - my family is just not that big to buy that many, and I got some great support from a lot of radio stations around Australia.
Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment?
Hhmm… Well going back to the early legends of pop the Beatles and the Beach Boys have probably been my ultimate influences. I have to admit working so closely with Eskimo Joe I would say they have had a big influence on my approach to writing and recording. Other influences would be Doves, NERD and Elton John too I think. Saying that though I probably could list another 100. I would like David Bowie to be an influence one day.
My fave bands at the moment - well the ones I am listening too the most are Belle and Sebastian’s new album, Kanye West, and I have been lucky enough to hear some of the new Eskimo Stuff which I really enjoyed.
Q. What helps in writing new songs? Do you need solitude to get inspiration?
The best inspiration for me to write something new is hearing really good music. Something new (or old) that I havn’t heard before will always inspire me because I usually wish I had written it. Solitude is not really an important inspirational factor, although once I get down to the initial trying out ideas and writing I do find it easier when I am alone.
Q. Favourite AFL team?
Really? Hawthorne - but we don’t talk about that too much at the moment.
Q. What is your favourite live music venue? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger shows with lots of people cheering you on?
To watch or play?
To watch I love Amplifier. Saying that though Norfolk Basement is really cool too. I played there recently too and loved the room.
I think all performers love a full room. To some degree it doesn’t matter the size of the room when it is packed. It’s really flattering when a bunch of folks have decided to spend their night watching one of your gigs.
Q. How was it touring with Eskimo Joe? Is the Perth music community a tight knit bunch?
Touring with the Eskies was probably the most awesome 2 years of my life. I got the opportunity to see so much of Australia, meet so many people and “work” with 4 of my best buddies. I learnt heaps about music, from the industry, to touring, to writing and recording, and the standard you need to meet from both a performance and a song writing and recording perspective.
Ya I think the Perth scene is tight. We are a perocial bunch, that’s for sure. Very proud of our scene. I think we are always happy when there are new dudes and dudettes in the scene too.
Q. What is your song writing process? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?
Usually I am a music 1st lyrics 2nd writer. However if I come up with what I think is a really cool lyric hook I’ll use that as the inspiration for the rest of the song - and I guess it works vice versa too. There is no real set rule I follow when I think about it.
Q. What is your take on the Perth Music Scene at the moment? Do you think it is thriving or is it a bit of over-hype?
There is hype I guess, but not unjustified that’s for sure. Perth musos are writing and producing really good music - and to me it seems like people are evolving musically which has the potential to continue to strengthen the quality of the material coming out of the West.
I think that the chances are that the scene will continue to thrive to some degree because of two main factors: 1, the way people aren’t thretened by others. While there is a healthy competativeness, in the end everyone wants to help everyone be successful. That’s really cool. 2, the standard of songs and performance in Perth is high, and seems to be consistently so.
People tend to hold such pride in their music and shows. Not quite awesome doesn’t seem to be good enough. These 2 factors can only continue to strengthen the scene. All we need to do is to continue to remember we are only as good as our last show or our last single - and continue to make it our best.
Q. What plans do you have for the next few months?
Well, I have just finished recording a new EP. The aim is for that to be released in late May - and launch it in June. Gigging and touring is the other plan. I have decided to take time off from the Eskimo boys to focus on my solo stuff and so that’s what I am doing. I can’t wait!
For more info visite www.danbull.com
Interview by Justin Middleton
