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Dan Patlansky has marked his name in the local Blues/ Rock scene as one of the best and has just released his latest album entitled Dear Silence Thieves. Dan will be embarking on a nationwide launch tour starting this week bringing his new songs to his South African music fans. We had the opportunity to chat to Dan about the new album and the tour, see what he had to say:
Give some insight into the new album “Dear Silence Thieves”?
I think this album is far more balanced than previous ones in the sense that I focused heavily on the writing before I even thought about guitar solos and such. I think it’s the strongest material yet. But saying that threes still plenty of guitar playing all over this record, after all its my passion. Just a modern Blues/ Rock album.
In your opinion how does this album differ from your previous albums?
As I said the songs are the strongest so far. It still has the same essence as previous records, but song was definitely king when it came to this one. Also Theo being the producer for the first time definitely added other elements to it. Fantastic producer indeed.
What goes through your mind when you are writing new music and where do you get your inspiration from?
Basically I just wanna write the best stuff I can. In the past it was more about the clichéd blues stuff, which I still love! But on this record it was all about the modern approach, writing about life experiences and such, with a whole bunch of cool clichéd blues stuff thrown in.
How long have you been working on Dear Silence Thieves and what are your highlights of the album?
Been writing for it off and on since we recorded 20 stones in 2012. We spent about a month recording and mixing in February this year. Highlights are “Backbite” the opening track and “Hold ON”, they really do it for me currently.
How do you think your fans are going to take to the new album?
Well I hope they will dig it. But I really think they will because it’s the same vibe as previous albums just with stronger songs and production.
What tracks on the album mean the most to you and why?
“Hold On”, because it’s such a vibe musically to play and lyrically it about getting older and how fast life seems to start going by.
You will be embarking on a nationwide tour for the launch of the new album. What are you looking forward to most during this tour?
Pretty much all of them for different reasons. Arcade Empire in Potch on the 8th (have-not played Potch for years and did the student vibe down there), Rivonia Barnyard JHB on the 9th (Awesome big venue, and a big crowd in always gets you playing right), Atterbury Theatre PTA 10th (this is a first for me playing this place but only heard awesome things), George Arts Theatre George on the 15th (Epic little place with big vibe), Cash Store PE on the 16th and 17th (first time playing this venue but always love a PE crowd), Potters Place J Bay on the 18th (Intimate venue with so much soul), Fugard Theatre CT on the 19th (First time here, but also only heard epic things about the space), Strab Fest in Mozambique on the 24th (always epic), and Gateway Barnyard on the 26th in DBN (I lived in Durban for years so always a trip going back and playing for a great crowd).
What can fans expect from your performances during the tour and how many of the new songs from the album will you be performing?
I think we got the best set I’ve ever had for this tour. We will be playing all the new tunes from Dear Silence Thieves and a few cool other tunes that we’ve never played before. For me it needs to be a level 12 performance every night. Can’t wait to get things rolling.
Have you got any music videos planned for any of the singles off the album?
No music videos as yet, but the single is Hold On, which is great because it’s my favourite.
What have been some of the highs and lows of you career?
Off time is always a low for me, I feel useless to the world. But high time is right now, just before a album release, it’s always exciting to get your new stuff out there, and have new stuff to play live.
What single performance has been you most memorable and why?
Probably Horsens Blues Fest in Denmark last year, it was the first international Blues Fest I’ve ever played which was a milestone for me. We got such a great reaction that we are headlining this year fest in November.
What is the life of Dan Patlansky like now compared to 10 years ago?
Not too different, besides being married and having a baby on the way. It’s still all about the music for me, and the thrill on live performance, and the never-ending quest for perfection.
Besides your tour, which other gigs are you looking forward to in 2014?
Me and good friend Albert Frost are doing some colab shows in the months to come, and of course I look forward to getting back to Europe in October.
What’s next for Dan Patlansky?
Pretty much just touring the crap out of SA with Dear Silence Thieves, have a baby in August, and go back abroad in October. I’m looking forward to it.
Dear Silence Thieves Launch Tour Dates and Venues:
8 May – Arcade Empire, Potch
9 May – Rivonia Barnyard, JHB
10 May – Atterbury Theatre, PTA
15 May – George Arts Theatre, George
16 May – Cash Store, PE
17 May – Cash Store, PE
18 May – Potter’s Place, J-Bay
19 May – Fugard Theatre, CT
24 May – Strab, Mozambique
26 May – Gateway Barnyard, KZN
31 May – Bush Fire Festival, Swaziland
