Darren Hanlon Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 2nd 2010 11:33AM by Lea Terry
Comments

Influenced by a wide range of musicians from Woody Guthrie to the Magnetic Fields, Darren Hanlon brings a strong story-telling element to his music. His folk-inspired songs include tributes to actor Eli Wallach and to the game of squash, as well as reflections on long-distance relationships and unrequited love. The Australian singer-songwriter performed with several bands before going solo a decade ago. IN advance of his SXSW stint, Spinner spoke with the confessed pinball and crossword addict as he was in Portland, Ore., working on his next album.

How would you describe your sound?

That's always a hard question to answer, just because you don't usually think of your music that way. When I'm asked that question, I usually say "urban folk," because it is pretty folksy, and it tends to sound urban because of my accent.

What are your musical influences?

Jonathan Richman, Slim Dusty, the Magnetic Fields, Woody Guthrie.

You started out playing with several bands. How did you decide to become a solo artist?

It just seemed like a natural progression. I'd been playing in lots of bands, and after that I still wanted to tour. Singing comes naturally to me, but writing songs doesn't come as naturally. But I still wanted to travel the world.

Do you have a regular band you tour with?

It changes. There are band members that have been with me from the beginning, that I've used in Australia. My keyboard player, he's in Portland, but when I tour in Australia, he comes out for that. Other than that, it's a floating lineup. It's good to meet new people, mix it up. It's good to have friends on tour as well.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Earplugs. Organic sleeping pills, which I never use, but it's just a comfort to have them there. I actually haven't taken one yet, but it's like the safety blanket. And then a real safety blanket -- a blanket, in case it's cold. Books, so if I get bored, I can read. And Santa Fe BBQ Lundberg rice chips.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Each tour we usually try to learn one '80s song, in case we get into trouble, because we play a lot of small towns in Australia. So if we ever get booed off stage, we can pull out some classic song. So, Huey Lewis and the News would have to be the latest guilty pleasure. We had to learn 'Power of Love.' But my other guilty pleasure is Steely Dan. That's the everyday guilty pleasure.

What's your biggest vice?

Pinball. That's easy. I'm in Portland at the moment, to finish writing this last album, and I get distracted by pinball pretty much every day, because there's pinball everywhere in this city.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Winona Ryder. Well, actually, my first celebrity crush would be Prairie Dawn from 'Sesame Street,' when I was four.

Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Beatles. That's easy.

Lea Terry is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.