Dan Patlansky: Dear Silence Thieves Interview

South Africa’s Dan Patlansky has emerged in recent years as one of the top up and comers on the blues rock scene. Patlansky’s albums 20 Stones and Wooden Thoughts both made Blues Rock Review’s year end Top 20 lists and he recently released his seventh album Dear Silence Thieves worldwide. Blues Rock Review caught up with Patlansky to get the scoop on the new album and future plans.

You made it a point to focus on songwriting with this album? How was your approach different from your other albums?

On previous albums, we did focus on the songs but no where near like we did on DST. Before any of us thought about tones, solos, performance, we wanted the song to be able to stand on its own. And then we looked at all other elements.

This is your first album to have a worldwide release. How difficult is it for an international artist like yourself to get your music into other markets?

It’s tough because touring is what sells records. We are concentrating heavily on the Euro market at the moment, and will hope to swing back to the States again soon. But all that being said, Blues Rock Review makes it a lot easier getting your stuff out there and heard. So thanks for that!

“Only an Ocean” was a previously recorded track featured on your album Real. What went into the decision to re-record it?

The Real album has not been available for so long now, and “Only an Ocean” has been by far our biggest success on platforms like YouTube. So we thought we would like make it available again in a slightly different format.

Do any of the tracks on the album have deep, personal meaning for you?

I think “Hold On” does. The song is about life running away with its self. Every year that ticks by seems to go by so much faster, which is very scary to me, still so much I want achieve.

What’s your favorite track on the album?

I would say its between “Hold On” and “Your War.” “Your War” is about my father’s twin brother that passed away when they where five years old. Also, I really dig a slow roomy Blues.

How much of an affect did your producer Theo Crous have on the album?

I think quite a lot for sure. I think every producer brings his or her elements to the table. Theo used to play guitar, write and produce for South Africa’s biggest rock act in the ’90s called the Springbok Nude Girls. So he immediately brought a different flavor and that’s where the focus on songs really started.

In the past year, you had your first European tour? Any plans for a North American tour  in the works?

It’s certainly on the cards, we just would really dig getting a few festival bookings in the States and build a tour from there.

You will be back in Europe soon. How was the experience as a whole looking back?

Fantastic! It’s always exciting playing new countries. You never know what to expect from the crowd, and that’s what makes it so exciting. Loved it and can’t wait to head back in the next few weeks.

Will any shows be recorded for a future live album?

Not on this European tour. But I am planning on doing a live album maybe next year. Without a doubt the next step for me.

Anything else new we should know about?

Well, I had my first child Sofia two months ago. Haven’t slept in about 2 months:)

Interview by Pete Francis