Interview with Dan Mangan Carla Bergman and Sylvia Mcfadden Dan is a local singer-songwriter who spends much time on the road. He is soon to release his second album, Nice, Nice, Very Nice. We did this interview via the internets because he was on the road . When Dan Mangan performs he gently takes over the room. Everyone’s voices hush and all attention goes to him. His music resonates out of his whole body, starting from his toes. His songs evoke introspection: leaving you sipping tea and looking out whatever window is nearest. His words are tinged with a universal melancholy. His music is a direct link to the heart, his lyrics a direct link to the mind. Listening to Dan is a whole body experience.

“I want to be around people/I want to mention the things that bring out the tears in us” -Ash Babe

RAIN: Tell us about yourself, what do you play?

DAN: Music, primarily, I was never all that good at sports… though I do enjoy ice hockey. I live in Vancouver and spend most of my time on the road, telling everyone how pleasing it is to live in Vancouver.

R: How long have you been playing?

D: I played novice B – that’s what you play when you’re 8 years old and not very good at hockey.. In terms of music, I picked up the guitar now and then as a young kid – as they were often leaning against the walls in my home – but I started taking it seriously around 12... I started writing awful songs when I was about 16.

R: Sticking to the playing and writing head for a few years touring my first music, rather than hockey, when and album. I still have a bunch of songs how did it all start? banked. I really don’t think I’ll wait as is? And how has it evolved over the long to record the next one as I did D: I had an older step-brother who for this record. helped my brother and sister and I years? with music – in fact, I think part of his R: Let’s talk about your new hit single, rent staying with us was subsidized D: When I was a teenager I shaved “Robots’ which happens to be the with those lessons: piano and guitar. my head and wore skate shoes. song on the RAIN compilation cd! It’s He didn’t bother with conservatory But I was never very good at a great catchy tune and most popular stuff – mostly just taught us the songs skateboarding. Now I don’t really to date. It seems a bit different than we were listening to from the radio know where I fit in, musically or your previous songs… thoughts about or old Beatles vinyls. otherwise – I’m a little rootsy, a little that? indie rock, a little pop... R: What’s your process with writing D: I think there are a number of songs your songs? R: What about your newest album? on this new album that are a bit Tell us about it? more toe-tapping. I got a bit more D: I text message myself phrases all comfortable with songwriting in the the time. I find myself stealing words D: It’s called, Nice, Nice, Very Nice. last few years and was able to take from conversations I have – often I recorded it in with a gent myself a little less seriously. I used to people are poetic without trying to named John Critchley – he did a craft all these epic ballady songs – be, and when I hear a phrase or wonderful job of keeping me level- and there are a few of those as well, something that makes me ponder, headed. I was able to coerce all but I’m glad to say I’m more able to I write it down... I like songs that use kinds of amazing musicians to be a be playful with my songwriting now. the subtle nuances of human foibles. part of it and I was continually blown away by their performances. I’d been R: Who are your artistic inspirations, or R: What would you say your style carting all these songs around in my

photo byJonathan Taggart in general? I wish I had investigated when I who are overly active – or at least was younger. It’s amazing how those who are overbearingly or D: I listen to a lot of music – try to keep much you’ll learn by trying to teach negatively so... All in all, I suppose my finger on the pulse. I also don’t something. Sometimes I feel like the moderation is key. I feel like it’s read as much as I’d like to – but did student. important to buy moderately in to at one point... I think I’m a better many ideologies, but not too deeply musician because of the musician R: Thoughts on activism, social in to any one of them. As soon as friends I’ve made. Nothing keeps change, and your part in it? Do you you lose track of the variables that you on your toes more than being identify yourself as an activist? disqualify your own beliefs, you surrounded by people more talented become defensive of them and lose than you. D: Sounds good to me. Sometimes perspective. If you think globally, act I think that human beings have locally, discuss religion and politics R: Dream gig? been saying things like “It’s a very with friends and family, recycle often, important time right now” since we treat the people you know with D: Radiohead M. Ward, Wilco and had any concept of time. But then respect and dignity, listen to good Dan Mangan @ The Vancouver East other times, when people really do music, eat good fresh local food, Cultural Centre. rally behind good causes, it’s pretty read lots of books, and never lose the ability to laugh at your own foibles, R: I AM SO THERE! Thoughts about the you’re doing okay. Vancouver music scene? R: And does any of the above D: I think it’s come a long way…When connect to your music, if yes, how I first started playing gigs around so? town at 18 or 19, I remember being amazed at how unfriendly the scene D: Inevitably yes – in doses. People was. Now it seems there’s a ton of don’t want to be preached at, good people around. Though I love but if you can subtly include social the city like crazy, I think it has a long criticism throughout your writing, way to go still. Every time I come it sinks in and later becomes more home from London or Montreal and more apparent. or Toronto or New York, it makes Vancouver seem like a very culturally R: This issue of RAIN will be out in adolescent new city. But it’s growing June, so with that in mind: What’s up… up and coming for you?

R: What are your thoughts about D: North By Northeast in Toronto, community? inspiring. Currently I’d like to see the summer festivals, album comes out CBC reinforced rather than hacked in August, lots of touring this fall – D: Hugely important. I remember at. I’m not terribly happy with the hopefully Australia again. Lots of work being at a workshop panel about party in power here in Canada. to be done! touring at one of the Canadian I think to call myself an activist music conferences. Someone would require less time on the road R: For some pop culture fun: from the crowd was phrasing his and more time organizing for various Novel: Slaughter House Five by Kurt question to the panel in the form causes.. It’s depressing to have all Vonnegut of a complaint regarding a lack of kinds of convictions and not much Movie: Dazed and Confused (40+ hip hop community and promoters time to do anything about them... viewings) willing to take risks on hip hop artists. Some, including myself, would call Artist: Radiohead The response was very simple – if that being fairly hypocritical... That’s Song: Changes day to day. But one there isn’t a strong community, make a really hard aspect of living in this song (and there are many!) I know one. Like I said, I remember feeling age – having the knowledge to I wouldn’t be the same without is like Vancouver did not used to be know just how silly we are and how “Nobody’s Fault But My Own” by so vibrant with great people and ridiculous our actions are. Thousands . great music... It had been a stale city of years ago people didn’t question musically for many years. People get the big things because they were together and make things happen. simply focused on the next meal and getting laid. Now we have so R: What sort of things do you do to much perspective on politics and “make it happen”? culture and art and history, it’s hard to align yourself – and then when D: I’ve been participating in a you align yourself you find more mentorship for the Cultch youth complexities and paradoxes in your program in Vancouver – helping thoughts. Photo by Sylvia McFadden teenagers craft their songwriting. It’s I’d like to be more “active” – but been hugely rewarding – something also find myself irritated by those 20