Douglas Dare

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Douglas Dare is a talented singer-songwriter and performer based in London.
His first album entitled ‘EP1’ is a truly gorgeous collection of songs with heartfelt vocals and beautiful arrangements. Douglas Dare says that he’s inspired by Patrick Wolf, Rufus Wainwright, Thom Yorke and PJ Harvey. I first heard the ballad ‘Thirty-One Pages (Caroline)’ and was immediately captivated by it. ‘Glorious Feeling’ is another song that I really like. Douglas also wrote a piano score for the short film Dorset by Night, directed by Steven Banks. Watch the great live performance of his tracks ‘Flames’, ‘Sticks and Stones’ and ‘London’s Rose’ below.

Douglas Dare will be supporting Emanuel and the Fear at The Wilmington Arms in London on 22 October 2012. You can get your tickets here.

And now the interview part :)

Which ice cream flavor(s) do you like the most?

I’m a vanilla kind of guy. Can’t beat a classic.

What is your last or upcoming project about?

I’m currently writing for my next EP and have become really interested in the stories of children who were evacuated during the war, it’s an experience that is so far away from my own but yet I think it’s something we all can relate to.

How do you make music? Any specific workflow or methods?

I start with lyrics. I write poems or short stories, not all of them turn into songs though.
I also try and write on different instruments even if I can’t really play them; I’m lucky as I live with musicians so we have a lot of instruments to pick from! Most recently I’ve been writing on a miniature children’s keyboard using those funny drum sounds.

How do you make a living?

When I’m not writing or gigging I’m coordinating gigs in East London for a lovely little charity.
I meet a lot of musicians and promoters and get to go to a lot of gigs too! I’m very lucky, it doesn’t feel like work at all but ultimately I hope my music will support me solely.

How do you feel about people sharing your music?

Share away! I think the more people that can hear the music the better. I think illegal downloading is stupid but I think there’s enough free music out there now that people don’t need to illegally download, which is nice.

Who was your musical hero[in]s when you were a kid?

When I was a kid? Well, I admired performers like Elvis and Michael Jackson (probably because my parents played them all the time) but my hero’s were Bill Withers, Cleo Laine and Chris Martin – a very mixed bag I know!

What musical genre do you love but would never make yourself?

I like this question… I secretly love R&B but could never make that myself, wouldn’t mind doing a little colab with Beyoncé though!

Which artists are you following at the moment?

There’s this little known band from the North-west of the UK called The Burning Leaves.
I heard them on the radio at 4am one drunken night at University and recently I’ve been in contact with them and we’ve been sharing music.
I felt like all my Birthday’s came at once! They’ve got some beautiful songs and such understated arrangements. Their music was recently featured on the film ‘Last Ride’, definitely one’s to watch.

download track Sticks and Stones

*Sticks and Stones*

It’s oh so hard to spell it out
When the words are locked
Behind his closed mouth

And to tear them from
That wired jaw, I’d likely find
What I’ve been searching for

And now I can see their tongue was meant for me

‘Cause I can’t decipher these marks left on my bones,
As they disguise the words with their sticks and stones

I’m lost within the hottest room,
Ablaze with their noise
That I can not run through

And now I can see their tongue was meant for me

‘Cause I can’t decipher these marks left on my bones,
As they disguise the words with their sticks and stones

And I’ll see in time as the ringing dies
And I’ll see in time as the ringing dies

download track here

*London’s Rose*

What’s above these walls, empty land and empty calls?
Echoes numb through these halls but lying back can feel it all

Oh it’s quiet down here
It’s quiet down here
It’s quiet down here
Down here

Entire world under the street, soiled air you cannot breathe
Lines and lines of shoeless feet, one hundred beds under a sheet

Oh it’s hot down here
It’s hot down here
It’s hot down here
Down here

White mosaic hedge rows, with sign posts overgrown.
Destination unknown where’s London’s rose, where’s London’s rose?

Oh alive down here
Alive down here
Alive down here
Down here

Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up
Take us back up to the top, take us back up

Photo credits:

– Image provided courtesy of Dusan Kacan.

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