Guest of the Month May 2013: Dan Croll
Dan Croll is an exciting new solo artist with enough facets for a whole band. He’s an electro boy with links to the folkie scene, a multi-instrumentalist whose songwriting prowess has impressed everyone, including us at PRS for Music Foundation supporting him through British Music Abroad to perform at this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Half troubadour, half techno whiz, Dan is a latterday Beck, and the missing link between Jake Bugg and Joe Mount. No wonder he’s becoming the prime mover of his hometown of Liverpool’s first movement of note since the heady days of The Coral and The Zutons.
Dan’s music has become increasingly electronic as he has acquired more gadgetry, and now it offers a balance between the acoustic/organic side with tracks such as Home, Marion, Closer and Natives, and a more computer-generated approach as evidenced by his latest songs.
More information about Dan Croll can be found here.
We’ve asked Dan Croll about his thoughts being supported through Bristish Music Abroad to travel and perform SXSW festival 2013 in Austin, Texas. He told us:
“When I was told that I received the PRSF funding to allow me to attend this years SXSW festival I was over the moon, the pressure and stress that comes with trying to finance big trips like this can really be overwhelming! With the funding under my belt I was able to concentrate on the music and the trip at hand. Having this funding turned the tour in to a very successful first visit to America, and has led to other tours being planned for the summer and also a slot at PRS for Music Foundation’s showcase at this years Great Escape festival, which I’m incredibly excited about!”
5 pieces of music, tracks, albums or performances that has influenced Dan Croll, or that he wants to tip
1. Kendrick Lamar at SXSW
“Although a completely different genre of music from mine his album has been a big inspiration to me, and having got the funding and the go ahead to play at south by south west it meant that I could experience his incredible live show in person.”
2. Nada Surf – Blonde on Blonde
“This was on a Juke Box during our trip to New York, and was a beautiful song that has been on repeat for me since.”
3. Grizzly Bear at Rockefellar, Oslo
“This band is a massive inspiration for me, and after them turning up to my gig by surprise in Oslo they gave myself and the band tickets to see them the following night and the concert has to be one of the highlights of 2013 for me.”
4. NZCA/Lines – Airlock
“A band we met whilst in America, and this song is electronic pop perfection.”
5. OUTFIT – Two Islands
“A fellow Liverpudlian band making great music, this track is a personal favourite.”
