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100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Twenty-Three: Darren Hanlon

instigated by dave heaton

Australian Darren Hanlon is one of the best songwriters you've never heard of...well, unless you've heard of him, and are already in love with his smart, funny, moving, and catchy pop songs. His albums Hello Stranger and Little Chills (Candle) are both uniformly excellent, filled with insights and emotions and friendly tunes ready to become your new companion in good or bad times. Visit his website and Candle Records for information.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

I'm nearly finished my latest album so that's exciting. I never thought I'd even have one. I love the studio, and if I have my way and was a lot more prolific I might live in there. Also my friends and I are starting up a new band called 'Breakup Tape', which I can't wait for. Our first gig is for a Daniel Johnston tribute in a cinema, after the documentary about him.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

Although I'm glad that I'm not part of it in any way, the Australian music industry (whose policies are probably universal) can be a little depressing. There are so many great bands out there that will never get a chance until they prove they can make someone money. Maybe this is a beautiful thing, too, that great things are still buried in the forest waiting to be discovered.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

As I mentioned before, the album is on its way. For the first time ever I've actually done the video clips on time for the release, and not six months later when I get an idea. I did one last weekend for a new song 'Happiness Is a Chemical' where I play an evangelist cowboy ala Robert Mitchum from Night of the Hunter. In that film he has 'love' and 'hate' tattooed on his fingers. I wanted 'sad' and 'glad' but the director thought it was too busy for the camera. Well at least I got to chainsaw down a (fake) tree while preaching...

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

As for shows, there's been so many. Especially in the US kids are very creative with venue choices, from basements to boats to libraries to cinemas. I'd have to say, though, the audience probably makes the shows unique rather that the space. But harping on about my album again, it was recorded in an old silent theatre in a small town near where I grew up. The old guy who runs it still sits at the organ and plays to old Rudolf Valentino films. I used to go there as a child with my family to watch films. They say it's haunted. That's why this album feels so special to me, and I'm sure has a magical quality that is definitely from the room itself. Also the locals were a bit hostile and suspicious, and that feeling of segregation made it into some of the lyrics I hadn't finished.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

At the moment I'm in a house with a beautiful garden, so beautiful in fact I don't think I should be living here. We even have our own gardener! I live with some of my best friends, and other friends are within walking distance for the first time. I guess it just makes me happy in this environment. Although it's very distracting and hard to get work done when they all say 'lets go to the park!'

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

I finished a song last night called 'Ostracism of Vinny Lalor' about a young girl who was teased at school for being interested in culture outside of football and gossip. It's set in the town we recorded and I was angry and felt she needed vindication! Even if it happened 40 years ago...

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

I'm always interested in other people's music. I'm still a little unsure of myself, never thinking I would be a songwriter. Even that term sounds strange to me. Listening to others sing, it gives me courage to go do it myself.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

I'm constantly drawn to late '60s into the '70s. Not so much styles but sounds. Drum sounds especially. I love hearing nostalgia.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

That's hard. Can't speak for anyone else, but I'm loving the reissue of Judy Sill mixed by Jim O'Rourke. Most of the songs on that are outstanding, sonically and sentimentally. It gets me around this city on trains and busses. I also love Jeffrey Lewis and Kimya Dawson at the moment for their joyous and honest songs. They are a breath of fresh air in a coal mine.

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

Off the top of my head.... '100,000 fireflies' by the Magnetic Fields.

Photo taken by Stephen Baccon.

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.


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