Inteview with DAN.
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From Glasgow, Scotland, DAN. started to heavily get into art during High School. Inspired by the works of Jef Aerosol, C215 and Snik, he studied and practiced the ways of stencil art. He sees himself more as a 'newborn' artist with the journey only just beginning. He'll soon be re-locating to Edinburgh where he plans to set up a studio. He'll also have his first exhibition this summer in Scotland, but he'll be aiming to get more lined up throughout the next few years, gradually making his way to painting his work on to the streets of Europe.
Hi DAN., today MoW selected 4 of your artworks inspired by music. Can you tell MoW Why you chose those music artists ? What was the music behind the artworks ? What inspired you to create them ?
I've been working on a Musical Legends project which I plan to have exhibited in summer 2014. I felt I had to owe my first main project to the musical artists that have inspired me throughout the years since they've shaped alot of my thinking process.
Neil Young, who I consider to be an absolute fucking genius, has been one of my biggest inspirations. He has the most deep, meaningful lyrics. Amazing wisdom which he can portray through mellow acoustic to rocking it out with his rugged, raw sound through electric.
I chose Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones for one of my pieces purely because of the sound from the early Stones, especially from Exile on Main Street. Their incorporation of blues, rock and roll, soul, country and gospel is mind blowing.
I listened to alot of The Clash when I was younger so I had to include Joe Strummer. They were more than just a punk band. By fusing ska and reggae amongst punk and pulling it off put them on another level for me.
The Liam Gallagher piece was actually a commisson rather than me choosing to paint him.
Why is music important to you and your art?
When I decide to paint a musician I always listen to their music from the very first album. It's a process that makes me enjoy painting that bit more. For that duration you get into the mind of the musician, and gets you appreciative of their legacy.
If you had to choose between the artworks presented today, which of your artwork would be your favorite ? And why ?
I never think about a favourite, I guess that's for the viewer to decide.
Can you tell MoW more about the techniques you used. How old is your technique? How did it start? How long does it take you to make an artwork?
I'm a stencil artist, so I draw, cut and spray. Occassionally I'll work with watercolour, acrylic or oil.
Do you have plans on creating new artworks insipired by music ?
Music plays a big part of my life so I'll undoubtedly be creating more in the future. Plus I'm still in the process of completing my Music Legends project for exhibition.
What is the song you liked the most lately? The album ? What was the last gig you went to ?
I've just recently discovered an Australian band called Pond which I'm really liking the sound of. They've got this experimental psychedelica going on, similar to the sound of Tame Impala.
I'm not long back from seeing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros play live in London. Up there with the best modern day performers right now I would say, if you haven't seen them live then I massively recommend that you do!
Are you a musician yourself ?
I mess around with my acoustic guitar when I take breaks from painting, but that's about it nothing beyond that.
Find out more about DAN. here :
