‘Spiderman Of The Rings’
Dan Deacon interview
US electronic iconoclast Dan Deacon does not sound like anyone else. His avant-poptronic music wraps you in a multi-coloured sonic blanket then, when you can’t move, slobbers magical absurdity all over you. It’s Sesame Street heard from the dark heart of a magic mushroom black hole; a fairytale nightmare. Classically trained Deacon studied electro-acoustic and computer music composition in New York before moving to Wham City, Baltimore, where he’s now part of the Wham City Collective. He grew quickly into an artist of local renown, initially concentrating on compositions centred on sine-waves but gradually his manic live shows became the true focus attention. At these the crowd is very much a part of the whole experience and the events inevitably turn into a cross between a rave and a Pentecostal chapel. The crowd gathers around, dancing and chanting to lyric sheets while Deacon controls the fevered frenzy with synths and strobe lights. Deacon’s fifth album, ‘Spiderman Of The Rings’ is as good an entrance to his strange world as any but the live show is really where it’s at. Tim Gomersall tracked him down in cyberspace and asked him a few questions…
For those that are new to your music/performance, how would you describe your style?
Dan Deacon: “I play in the crowd. The music is real loud. Its fun to dance to (at least I think so). I try to breakdown of formalities between audience and performer that traditional concerts have established.”
Experiencing your live shows, it seems that the audience is integral to your performance, giving it a euphoric rave-like experience. Is this something that has evolved over the years or has this always been your goal?
DD: “It’s evolved over the years. I wish it hadn’t gotten so rough, I don’t know why people feel compelled to shove each other all the time. My favorite shows are when people give each other enough space so they can dance really hard and crazy and not worry about hurting someone.”
Your stage show is famed for the strobe-lit green skull – is there a story behind it?
DD: “I bought it at a supermarket and put a strobe light in it. It called out to me like a wind in the night.”
Do you remain as energised and enthusiastic about performing over a long tour schedule?
DD: “I prefer a short schedule these days. I used to love long two month tours but I really like being home in Baltimore now. A month isn’t so bad. Anything longer than that and I don’t really feel like I have a home to go back to. It’s easy to lose your footing in the world while travelling so much but, yes, performing is the most rewarding part.”
Do you think you would have been able to create the music and art you have without the support of the Wham City Collective?
DD: “It started with just friends from college moving to Baltimore into a big dirty warehouse. We started having shows and the group grew and grew. My music would certainly be different without the influence of Wham City and other people in Baltimore. Sometimes its a magical place here.”
I’m going on a road trip across America next year. Would you recommend that I visit Baltimore?
DD: “Sure. But make sure you know what you are getting into. Most of Baltimore’s gems are hidden and hard to find.”
Dan Deacon’s album ‘Spiderman Of The Rings’ is out now on Carpark Records
