Today London composer-songwriter Douglas Dare surprises us with the release of an evocative new video and EP, titled ‘Heavenly Bodies’ — a companion to his latest album ‘Milkteeth’ out on Erased Tapes.
Dare’s music speaks of his own experiences of universal themes like love, loss, and childhood. Perhaps most importantly, his music gives a voice and a sanctuary to anyone who’s ever felt unusual or out of place.
FACTS:
1: I sing therefore I am.
2: What goes up sometimes get’s stuck on the roof.
3: 2 + 2 = fine.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
People and their stories are my biggest inspiration. When I started writing songs at 19 I felt I hadn’t had enough life experience to write from my own perspective so I started to write stories about other people’s lives. Whilst I have since used my own stories I still love to look outwards for my inspiration.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
My mother and father played gigs around my local area for parties; from the age of 6 or 7 I would go along and help carry equipment in to the venues and I’d sit next to my mum at the piano and listen. In some ways it was like going in to the family business.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
The answer depends on my mood right now. Today my top five are:
PJ Harvey – White Chalk
Radiohead – In Rainbows
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Portishead – Third
Chilly Gonzales – Solo Piano 1
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Clubbing. Not sleeping. Friends. Lovers. The wall. The war. Being inland. Time moving slower.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
The view of St Paul’s Cathedral from Millennium Bridge.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Be an actor on the stage.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
I bought the sheet music of ‘For Free’ by Joni Mitchell.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Anohni.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Peaches at The Southbank Centre 2019.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Not important. I’d prefer to have a pencil, piece of paper and an upright piano.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have six. Some I don’t know how they feel, one of them is too young to talk, one is a big fan and is very proud of me, others think I make sad music, and they’re not wrong.
Photo © Fabian Prynn
