SIX STRINGS Q&A: Dan Brodie

Dan Brodie has an excellent new album out called The Ballad of Cowboy Dan, a review of which is coming soon to PTW. In the review I write “If you can imagine Dylan and Nilsson recording an eclectic cosmic Americana record it might sound something like this impressive album,” and that description is emblematic of the way that Brodie is able to draw from country, folk, blues and rock music and create a sound and musical personality that can’t really be pigeonholed into any one genre. He’s clearly on his own trip and so it’s always a really interesting experience checking out each new project he releases, whether it’s covers or originals.

I caught up with Dan to get his take on the PTW Q&A:

What was the album that first led you down the dusty path of alt-country/Americana music?

John Prine – Great Days: The John Prine Anthology

Describe your latest release in 100 words…

The Ballad of Cowboy Dan is my ‘lockdown compendium’, Charting my inner journey roaming the deserted plains of the outer east of Melbourne over the last few years in forced isolation, exploring the myth of the performer and the cowboy aesthetic in contrast to the everyday humdrum of life. The Ballad of Cowboy Dan was recorded in-between lockdowns with producer Michael Hubbard who also produced my previous album, Funeraria do Vale. The new album is a ‘greatest hits’ of sorts, taking in the width and breadth of the music I love, simultaneously celebrating and saying goodbye to a period of time now departed.

What’s been the most memorable gig you’ve played?

The most memorable gig I played was on an old pirate ship on the River Seine in Paris with my brother, Chris. It was our first show in Europe and we shared a label with Chris Bailey (Saints) and Alex Chilton (Big Star) who were both in attendance and who we had dinner with afterwards. It really doesn’t get much better than that!

How did you learn to play your main instrument?

My dad was a musician who showed my brother and I a few chords, the rest we did using our ears and worshipping at the temple of Elvis, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Hendrix and the Sex Pistols.

What do you consider the finest song you’ve written?

I have a song called ‘Lullaby’ from my first EP which I think is pretty good. It holds you in its grip from beginning to end and has a nice happy/sad feeling to it. Vika and Linda Bull recorded a version as well with their beautiful harmonies.

If you could sit-in with one other musician (living or dead) who would it be?

I think Serge Gainsbourg would have been an entertaining dinner guest.

Do you feel there is a strong alt-country music community in Australia and if so, what does it need to keep growing?

I do think the community is strong. Maybe it needs to mix more with indigenous musicians as well as other groups with diverse cultural backgrounds for more cross-pollination of sounds and perspectives, and move it away from America and into something else.

Describe a typical Dan Brodie live show…

Hot, heartfelt, funny, dark and romantic… and a rollicking good time!