Following an exciting run playing guitar and bass with artists like Slash, LeAnn Rimes and more, Dan plunged back into his first love of songwriting and story telling with his 2015 epic, ‘The Best Ride of Your Life’. These 13 internationally recorded songs were created thanks to a wildly successful KickStarter campaign. The album was recorded in studios like Abbey Road, East West and Real World (Peter Gabriel’s Home) and features the talents of over 50 musicians such as virtuosos Wayne Bergeron and Vinnie Colaiuta.
Dan teamed up with film maker Paul Carganilla to create his next chapter, “The Live to Dream Project“. This is art created in a whole new way. Dan was challenged to write and record 10 songs in 3 days entirely by himself based on fan art submissions drawn at random. The entire event was live streamed and a documentary was filmed that is being sent to festivals worldwide.
Dan is currently promoting his music video for his song “Live to Dream Again”. It is Dan’s hope that this song and it’s message of perseverance can bring hope to people dealing with the frustration and disappointment of trying to start over.
In this interview, we chat with Dan Franklin about his new project, influences, and more.
Q&A, links, and a stream of “Live To Dream Again” below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am from the wonderful little hamlet of Ukiah California – where all the pot, wine and pears come from. I grew up around a lot of different music, so my style has sort of become something of a chameleon story teller – I like the production and songwriting to fit the story.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
Well, I have to admit that besides banging on pots and pans at five years old in my duo ‘the pickle’, my real kick start was my brother telling me that girls like guitar players.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
There are many, but my biggest songwriting and stylistic influence has got to be Elvis Costello – because he also exists in a state of constantly re-inventing himself.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
My most recent endeavor was an album/documentary in which I brought my instruments (guitars, bass, drums, keys etc) and portable recording gear to a cabin in Lake Arrowhead and was challenged to write and record 10 songs in three days entirely on my own based on fan art submissions draw at random and live streamed – it was an outrageous experience. It’s called the Live to Dream Project.
The music video for Live to Dream Again is a byproduct of that project. Our first stretch goal on the Kickstarter was to create this video based on a script my good friend and collaborator Paul Carganilla developed.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
The same as any indie artists I suppose – people just aren’t buying music, so you have to be creative about your revenue streams, fan engagement, and fund raising. I have been blessed with a generous and supportive fan base and I couldn’t be more grateful.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
Honestly, I would always rather experience my music in a higher quality format, but streaming has become the way kids hear it and are used to it. I would love to make a video where we take a bunch of kids that just listen to mp3s on their phones and sit them down with a proper hi-fi system – just to see their eyes light up when they realize how much better it can be.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
Follow my Facebook page for my main hub of activity, there I share all of my upcoming events and latest projects.
- Facebook.com/danfmusic
- Twitter: @danfmusic
- Instagram: @thadanimal
- Spotify: Dan Franklin
