Last week (18/4/17) in the heart of London, the WRC had the pleasure of interviewing South African Blues Rock guitarist Dan Patlansky and despite a few technical gremlins on our part – the banter flowed and we would like to thank Dan for his time. So read below if you want to find out more about Dan's current tour, his new single and album, problems with his '62 Fender Strat and why Father John Misty is today's Vid Of The Day!
WRC: Welcome back to London Dan. You’re headlining London’s O2 Islington Academy on Tuesday 2nd May - how did the first 2 gigs of your current UK tour go?
DP: They went really well. First off we played Mr. Kyps in Poole followed by HRH in Sheffield where I managed to jam with my friend Laurence Jones who I have toured the UK with before. We’re off to Germany next, and as you say return to London on the 2nd with a further four UK gigs in Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and Barnstaple.
WRC: Your last two UK tours have seen you supporting both Joe Satriani and King King – what was that like and how did that impact your fan base?
DP: Ha ha – both tours were amazing. Joe and I used to tune up playing the Blues together before each gig and I used to think how cool is that? King King are also big favourites of mine and are such nice guys as well, so it was really pleasing that the KK fans took me on board and are now following both my music and my tours.
WRC: In Johnannesburg 2014 you opened for Bruce Springsteen in front of 64,000 people – how popular is Blues Rock in South Africa and how does it compare to here?
DP: It was really weird. The vastness of the stadium and the vicinity of the crowd made it feel a bit like a rehearsal until I looked around and saw Bruce standing in the wings – that’s when I got really nervous! Despite the fact that the venues I play in South Africa are much larger, there is a far stronger Blues Rock base in the UK although the fan base is growing at home.
WRC: Is there any truth in the rumour that you have problems taking your ’62 Fender Strat on tour?
DP: Yeah that’s right! It’s because of the rare Brazilian rainforest wood on the neck - although the neck is detachable!
WRC: Touring obviously has an overall physical impact but does it affect your guitar playing?
DP: Good question! Yes my hands do definitely get stronger on tour so there is a tendency to overplay sometimes but there’s no danger of me turning into a shredder!
WRC: Can you tell us a bit about your band?
DP: Yes I’m really lucky. The guys are all from Germany and they are all great session musicians. Unfortunately it’s a fact of life that it’s too expensive to bring your own band over from South Africa,
WRC: We recently saw the very impressive Ash Wilson supporting Sari Schorr & The Engine Room at London’s Borderline and Ash is supporting you on your tour?
DP: Yes Ash and I hit it off straight away at our very first UK gig at Mr. Kyps. Our musical styles definitely complement each other, which is so important as I well know from past experience supporting bands like King King.
WRC: Your UK tour ends in Barnstaple on Saturday 6th May - do you have any plans for any Summer Festivals?
DP: No plans for Festivals but I will be returning to Europe mid-Summer and will be back in the UK in November.
WRC: Your last album ‘Introvertigo’ was voted number 1 Blues Rock album of 2016 by Blues Rock Review USA – how cool was that?
DP: Very chuffed. But it’s not so much the award, it’s more the avenues that are opened up because of an award. For example, there’s no doubt that on the strength of that particular award, it put the wheels in motion for this follow-up tour to take place.
WRC: Would you agree that ‘Introvertigo’ has a more raw Blues Rock feel to it compared to your previous award winning album ‘Dear Silence Thieves’?
DP: Yes – it’s a bit more in your in your face and has ten strong tracks that really translate well live which is a big deal to me.
WRC: And can we detect a bit of Dave Gilmour on your ‘Introvertigo’ track ‘Still Want To Be Your Man’?
DP: Yes you did! I’m a big fan of Dave Gilmour, and Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ was a major influence on my formative musical education, although strangely enough it was the album cover that first grabbed my attention! As they say, the rest is history as I then went back in time listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Freddie King and Albert King – all still major influences in my songwriting.
WRC: Following ‘Stop The Messin’ - you’ve just released your second single from ‘Introvertigo’- ‘Sonnova Faith’ – what was the story behind that release?
DP: As well as the single itself having a very important political message, the song has actually proven to be the most popular on the album, such as on platforms like Spotify. Consequently, on the radio edit we also topped and tailed it with a preacher talking!
WRC: ‘Introvertigo’ was two years in the making - is there a new album in the pipeline and will you be playing any new material on this tour?
DP: Yes we’re going into the studio in June with twenty or so songs aiming to release a new album in April next year. We’re experimenting with production and sounds on the new album. For example, we’ve actually utilized an 18th century Church in Cape Town for its distinctive drum sound. It’s also very refreshing to have new songs on your setlist although we won’t be playing any of our new material on this tour.
WRC: Given ‘Wish You Were Here’ was your very first album – what’s your favourite current album
DP: Father John Misty (who consequently since this interview will be at London's Hammersmith Apollo on Tuesday 7th November)
WRC: … and the very first live gig you went to?
DP: Def Leppard (pause) … ha ha (interview quickly curtailed)
WRC: We look forward to seeing you in Islington Dan on 2nd May. Thanks once again!
Comments