JEFF JENKINS TALKS TO DAN ABOUT HIS NEW ALBUM 'NIGHT PARROTS'
"The night parrot is the holy grail for Australian birdwatchers. The bird was thought extinct until a dried speciman was found on the side of the road in Queensland in 1990. Dan Warner became fascinated by the night parrot story after reading about it in the Good Weekend magazine about a decade ago. He's now decided to call his second solo album Night Parrots. It's released this week on Croxton Records. "I thought it was a great title for this album," Dan explains. "The songs are sort of like night." The album sees Dan revisiting some live favourites - including Bernie, Little Pieces and Fortuna - as well as Dan's first recording of Anthem, his song that was made famous by Tiddas. "I've performed it only a handful of times," Dan says, "and it's funny, I found myself singing Sally's phrasing (Sally Dastey). I couldn't help it, I'm a parrot". The night parrot is a nocturnal creature, hiding in dense saltbush during the day, emerging at dusk, to drink. Dan now lives in the country, in Kilmore, but regulartly comes to the city for gigs, Collingwood games, his 'Warner Corner' segment on Jonnie Von Goes' RRR show, and for the occasional ale. The night parrot looks rather large-headed, plump, with a stocky body. The Night Parrots album is filled with wonderful storytelling songs. After years with the Warner Brothers, Overnight Jones, Dan & Al and Dan & Kev, Dan went solo, releasing the album A Likeness Of You in 2005. "When you're a solo artist, I think you need story songs. You can't rock out when you're by yourself, but what you do have is a story." Night Parrots - Dan's eighth album - was produced by the genius Marcel Borrack, who Dan got to know on the Croxton Neapolitan tour (the other member of the touring party, Sarah Carrol, provides some backing vocals on the album). Marcel and Dan actually got into birdwatching while making the album. "Marce knows a lot about it. He's a finicky German guy, it's right up his alley." They would meet at Marcel's house, go for a walk, see some birds, and then return to Marcel's studio and start recording. "Maybe I'll become big amongst the twitchers," Dan jokes. "Birdwatchers are actually not that different to the people at the footy who are right into the stats, it's the same sort of thing. It's like collecting footy cards - 'Got it, got it, haven't got it...' And it's the same as people who are obsessed by music. Some people need all the Dylan records, all the bootlegs, all the Japanese pressings." Dan loved working with Marcel. "He's very organised and thorough and he has very high standards. He will never settle for bad performances. In many ways, this is the most considered record I've ever made. It's subtle, but if you listen to it a few times, you'll hear how well thought out it's been on his part." Marcel sings on the album and plays guitar, lap steel, keyboards, sax, mandolin, banjo, harmonica and harmonium. "No wonder he likes Prince because he's like Prince," Dan laughs. "He can do everything in the studio." Marcel's gentle, subtle production puts the focus on the stories and the songs, and he got a wonderfully relaxed vocal performance from Dan. Not many parrots have sweet voices. The night parrot has a peculiar croaking alarm and a drawn-out mournful whistle. "That's a great description," Dan smiles. "I'm going to use that to describe my vocal style - a drawn-out mournful whistle."
Jeff Jenkins, Inpress Magazine, October 2008
TO PURCHASE A COPY OF NIGHT PARROTS ONLINE THROUGH CROXTON RECORDS, CLICK HERE
Dan launches Night Parrots at The Corner Hotel Richmond Friday Oct 24th with special guests Maurice Frawley & the Yard Hands
A STROLL WITH MARCEL BORRACK ALONG THE YARRA BOULEVARD IN KEW,
OR, WHY NIGHT PARROTS HAS TAKEN SO LONG TO FINISH...
It's incredible how much the houses look like International Rescue around here, except for the gum trees in the background. Look at that place on the edge of the hill. Walter-Burley-Griffin-Esque. Nice rock garden. You remind me a bit of Mr Tracy, Marcel, although you dress more like Brains. Sartorial. Sophisticated. Wise, like that Tawny Frogmouth over there. The Mopoke, don't let it speak. Oom. Oom. It would take out both our souls. Maybe you could write an Australian version of the Crossroads song? The Australian selling-of-one's-soul-in-order-to-play-the-gum-leaf-like-a-demon song. You're pretty much a Blues-guy anyway, and you play guitar a bit like Mossy. The protagonist could walk into to the bush, a Jolly Swagman, and sell his soul to the Mopoke. Oom. Oom. Oom. Oom. 'The Mopoke went down to Gundagai, and he was looking for a soul to steal'. Did you ever see that motel on the Hume, about half-way to Sydney, I think it was in Holbrook, The Joly Swagman. Yes. J. O. L. Y. Joly. What is a Joly Swagman? How did the whole town miss it? Maybe Joly was the proprietor's surname. Well, Waltzing Matilda should be our National Anthem, no matter how you spell it. It's a great song. It's who we are. Dispossessed, defiant, riding through the bush. Riding, riding, like Frank and Jesse James. No, that's the Warren Zevon song. Ned and Dan Kelly. Riding along, sleeping in snatches, up against it. The Establishment chasing us down. Hiding in the mountains, like Captain Midnite and Khat. Making camp, identifying birds, singing songs about selling our soul to the Mopoke. That, and the Stubby Index Finger Song, tapping out messages on our telegraph key. Do you really think I can play guitar like Mossy? I was listening to East the other day. You've got to put on East and listen to Barnsey's voice on Standing On The Outside...the 'and I know, and I knowwwwww' bit. Bloody hell. His voice is like a machine. Powerful, hypnotic and musical, all at the same time. What a singer, what a band. At least that's one thing we can agree upon, that Chisel are the greatest Australian band ever. Although, yes, we both also like Clappo and Caddo. I think Class of '74 is one of his best songs, although, I know you're a fan of Alvin Purple. 'Writin' and readin' and and always believin' it's all in the mi hi hi i ind.' You know, my favourite TV ad from the '70s was that Levis ad, set in a pool hall...a guy and a girl playing pool, afternoon sun streaming through the windows onto the felt. Great song. 'When I get into my Levis, I get into a feeling, do you want me, or want me for my Levis?' Did Caddo write that song? Cut to girl crying. Tears in the mirror. Maybe it's on YouTube...oh yeah, I saw those episodes of The Courtship of Eddie's Father are up. I'm spewing I can't get that Nilsson song anywhere else. Maybe that'd be a good cover to play at the launch...or is it too obscure? 'People let me tell you 'bout my best friend...haw, haw haw haw haw haw...' You, my friend, sound like those red-rumped parrots, flying up and down the roadways, making a nuisance of themselves. Quite. Although, did you see, they have a flash of yellow in their breast feathers. Yes, pleasing. Shall we head back, or walk along the river to Hayes' Paddock? I saw some odd-looking waterbirds down there yesterday. Moorhens, maybe. Dusky. And what about the drums on Helicopter Pilot? Maybe lose them altogether? Just guitar, some incidental stuff, maybe get Sarah to do some BVs. Keep the album more acoustic, nocturnal, more night-parroty. Hmm. Controversial. Let's walk a little further and think about it.
WARNER BROTHERS REFORM!!
Those of you who remember Dan's first band, The Warner Brothers (who became Overnight Jones), will be interested to hear that the band is playing a secret set at The Lomond Hotel in Brunswick on Friday night, April 4. The reformation is happening in order to celebrate the Bucks' Night of original drummer, Jim Carden. The gig will be advertised as a T-Bones show, with the original line-up of The Warner Brothers taking the stage in the second set. Should be heaps of fun.
WARNER CORNER FAREWELL SHOWS...
Dan's last show before he heads OS in May will also be at The Lomond Hotel in Brunswick, at 5pm on Sunday May 4, straight after the JVG Radio Method on 102.7 3RRR FM. The show will feature a full band of RRR regulars, including Marcel Borrack, Ed Bates and Dave 'Dr Bellows' Evans. The gig at The Lomond, featuring songs from Warner Corner over the past months, will also be hosted by JVG, Keith Fuller and Ian Bland, who will also read a couple of his poems from the Bland on Bland segment. The gig is an early one, kid friendly, and FREE, FREE, FREE.
RON HAWKINS /IAN BLAND SUPPORT...
Dan will open for fellow Croxton artist, Ron Hawkins, at The Retreat Hotel in Sydney Rd Brunswick on Thursday April 10. Ron is from Canadian band, The Lowest of The Low (of Rosy and Grey fame). Dan is also supporting Ian Bland at his record launch at Clifton Hill Hotel on Saturday May 3. Stay tuned for more details.
NIGHT PARROTS EXPECTING TO FLY
Dan's new record, Night Parrots, is in the final stages of production. It has been produced by Croxton Records labelmate, Marcel Borrack, and, at this stage includes 13 tracks. A couple of the tracks are brand new, such as GIVE IT TIME. Others are tracks, like ANTHEM, that Dan meant to get around to recording, but never did. Some new fleshed-out versions of former acoustic tracks, such as BERNIE and LITTLE PIECES also appear. The album will be out on Croxton in April/May and will include an Australian tour and tours to the US and Europe.
BBQ DAY SIZZLES
The annual RRR BBQ Day is over for another year, but who will put out the fire? THE MBO (Melbourne BBQ Orchestra) backed up some fine performances this year including Chuck Jenkins - Savaloys are Back in Town; Fred Negro - I Wanna Eat Steak; and The Wolfgram Sisters - Lady Oysterblade...
NEW ALBUM PROGRESS REPORT, JAN 2007...
The new album is about half done. On a stinking hot day in January, Ian Kitney travelled out to Marcel Borrack's place in country Victoria to put down the drum tracks. Maybe the heat contributed to the lazy feel of the songs but Marcel (who is producing the record) reckons that the album will be "relaxed... with plenty of wide open spaces". On a subsequent stinker in January, Dan Hall (affectionately known as D2), came in and put down some bass. On the album Dan W is recording band versions of some old acoustic tracks, like Bernie and Helicopter Pilot, and also some songs that he has been meaning to record for years, but never got round to it... like Anthem. The album will be out in May. A national tour will follow.
NEAPOLITAN SHOW PLAYS 2007 PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL...
The reformation of the Croxton Neapolitans (Dan with Sarah Carroll and Marcel Borrack) went so well at Queenscliff that they've been booked to play Port Fairy this year. Neapolitan shows will be on both Saturday 10 March and Sunday 11.
READ AN INTERVIEW WITH DAN ON THE LAST NEAPOLITAN TOUR FROM THE WEST AUSTRALIAN...
A limited edition Croxton Neapolitan tour cd is still available through the Croxton Records Website.
A LIKENESS OF YOU NOW UP ON iTUNES...
Croxton Records, Dan's label, has now added its entire catalogue to iTunes. Now you can download all the Croxton hit albums to your iPods... including Dan's last record, A Likeness of You which features 'Fairies', 'Pastures' and 'Almost Autumn Days'.
BORRACK TO PRODUCE DAN'S NEW ALBUM...
Negotiations have been completed concerning the recording of Dan's new album, to be released on Croxton early 2008. According to Dan, "I wanted to record some band versions of songs that I've played solo, and with Al and Kev, over the years... glad to finally get the chance to rethink some of the old tunes". The album will include new versions of Anthem, Bernie, Helicopter Pilot and Little Pieces, to name a few. Also, the record will be produced by Marcel Borrack, Dan's labelmate and fellow Neapolitan. "I needed someone with some objectivity, but who also knew me and the songs well... Marce is the perfect choice..."
'ANTHEM' NAMED AS RESISTANCE SONG...
Many will remember that Dan penned the lyrics for the Tiddas song, Anthem, in the mid-90s (music by Sally Dastey). Many will also remember that the song was also recorded and released by Weddings Parties Anything. In a recent article in Melbourne's AGE, Michael Dwyer listed Anthem as one of the 'ten songs that made this country great'. The other nine included, We Have Survived - No Fixed Address; Solid Rock - Goanna; Blackfella/Whitefella - Warumpi Band; Beds are Burning - Midnight Oil; Special Treatment - Paul Kelly; Took The Children Away - Archie Roach; Treaty - Yothu Yindi; From Little Things Big Things Grow - Kev Carmody; My Island Home - Christine Anu...
BACK FROM US, CANADA and JAPAN...
The recent tour of the US went extremely well, both in terms of the Sentimental Bloke performances and Dan's solo shows. The Bloke film played at The Telluride Festival Colorado in early September where Dan and Jen and Dave rubbed shoulders with directors such as Ken Burns and Rolf de Heer. The Larrikins even got to play the opening night 'Feed' in the main drag of Telluride, a great honour and a great gig. The jetlag and altitude sickness meant that the band took a while to adjust, but a week back at sea level in DC helped considerably. From DC the Larrikins toured with the film to George Eastman House in NY, where the film had been rediscovered in the US archive, and partly restored. From NY, the trio travelled to Montreal, Canada for a raucous few days as guests of the Cinematheque Quebecoise. Then on to Berkeley for the last of the US Sentimental Bloke shows.
From Berkeley, Dan headed off (with Dave Evans in tow) for the first of his solo US shows. Brother and US Manager, Josh, had warned the duo to keep themselves nice on the first night in Seattle, as the big show at the Sunset was the night after. All went well, except for a visit to Josh's old haunt The Pacific Inn which saw Dan and Dave fall headlong off the wagon... decidedly. The next hungover afternoon was spent recovering at the fish market... clam chowder and salmon burgers... ahhhh! Before the gig that evening, Josh, Dave and Dan met up in Ballard with Josh's old friend Phil Wandscher from Whiskeytown. Sporting a cockney cap and slack-jaw, Phil proceeded to tell Dan, 'Hey man, if you tuck that t-shirt in, you won't look so fat'. The gig at the Sunset went great, Dave Evans ripping off some blistering solos on the squeezebox. Then Phil's mate from an Irish bar down the road, the Connor Byrne, offered Dan & Dave another impromptu gig... so it was on again... Bob Dylan songs and Guinness...
Back to home base in Baltimore the next morning, and some R & R at one of the US's great bars, J Patrick's in Locust Point, Baltimore. More Guinness, more singing... a trip to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles v The Twins, more beer, hotdogs, funnel cake, then back to J. Patrick's for more Guinness... Oh Baltimore... and it's hard, just to stay alive... The next day it was off to NYC for the show at Eight Mile Creek in Soho. A great drive through Maryland, Delaware and up the New Jersey Turnpike, the feature album being Midnight Oil's 10-1, a fitting soundtrack to the scenery... and what an album... way before its time.
The gig at Eight Mile Creek was aptly named by Linc, friend and proprietor of The Tuck Shop (at 1st and 1st in the East Village) as 'the night that the world went sideways'. (Even more apt for Linc in that he is on the floor in most of the photos from the evening). Dan and Dave are joined onstage by Kevin Garant. The gig was a beauty... thanks to Frank and all at Eight Mile Creek.
From NY, Dan flies solo to Minneapolis, Minnesota to play a show and meet with his US booking agent, Ryan Heller, and also to meet up with Darin Back, local photographer extraordinaire (and tour guide). Another successful show, then Dan & Darin head off to a Melvins show in the city??? Thanks to Ryan and all at PTM for a great couple of days.
Dan's last show is in Nashville where he plays at The Basement with a cache of other Aussie artists. Thanks to Jim Morgan and Van Preston for the accom (and the great Mexican meal) and to Terry Sawchuck for the endless stream of hilarity).
JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST...
On his recent tour with Mick Thomas & The Sure Thing, Dan played the town of his birth, Perth, WA. Dan's old mate, Darren Bromley, turned up to the gig at The Oxford armed with some shots from Dan's younger days. Ten Points if you can guess the year...
NEW FILMCLIP FOR 'FAIRIES'...
A stunning new filmclip has just been completed for the song Fairies from Dan's new album. A chance meeting with international film director, Marcus Lyall (U2, Chrissie Hynde) has resulted in a music video that's a beautifully conceived Victorian gothic tale based on the well-documented Cottingley Fairies Hoax of 1916/17.
Lyall has successfully recreated the atmosphere, costuming and Victorian spookiness of the Cottingley hoax photos where, according to reports at the time, the fairies would 'trip and dance and play their merry antics in the bright moonlight'. And trip and dance they do along with Dan's unforgettable spritely melody, Fairies.
Look out for it - it's a beauty. To see some stills from the filmclip, check out the PHOTOS page...
Marcus is an award winning television commercial director and is represented by THE POUND. If you would like to see his reel, please contact Cinnamon Darvall or Fiona McGregor on 03 9510 0911 or at cinnamon@thepound.com.au or fiona@thepound.com.au.
BRAND NEW DAN WARNER ALBUM...
A LIKENESS OF YOU
is Dan Warner's first solo release and it's been a long time comin'. It features twelve new songs and was recorded at Craig Pilkington's Audrey Studios, late 2004.
The list of musicians assembled is an impressive one and includes Ian Kitney on drums; Barry Stockley on double bass; Mick Thomas on electric bass;
Dave Moll and Dave Evans (The Band Who Knew
Too Much) on piano; Charlie Owen, James Black and
Al MacInnes on guitars; Jen Anderson on violin;
Chris Altmann (The Vandas) on pedal steel; and
Michael Barclay (WPA/The Messengers) on backing vocals.
"I had the perfect opportunity to make a very
relaxed record in my home town and call in all my
old friends and favourite players from Melbourne.
Some songs are like a family reunion or something,
everyone playing and singing along..." says Dan.
CLICK HERE to read an ABC online review of A LIKENESS OF YOU by Jarrod Watt and HERE for an ABC online review by Renee Krosch...
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 'READY OR NOT' FROM A LIKENESS OF YOU
Out Now on Mick Thomas's
CROXTON RECORDS
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A COPY ONLINE
or you can pick one up at a show and in all good record stores
TUNE IN TO WARNER CORNER...
You can catch Dan most Sunday afternoons on RRR (102.7FM) in Melbourne, as regular guest on Jon Von Goes' RADIO METHOD SHOW.
The segment is called Warner Corner and kicks off at around 3pm. RRR released a CD of Warner Corner highlights in 2003 which is still available online for a measly $10 through the RRR WEBSITE ...
BACK TO THE TOP
|
