Interviews

A Quick Chat With Brett Dennen

• 25th Nov 2014

We caught up with Northern California native Brett Dennen recently ahead of his upcoming headline London show; having performed at London’s Borderline earlier this year, the singer-songwriter will embark on a support slot with songstress Paloma Faith this month before rounding things off on 26 November at London’s St Pancras Old Church for an intimate headline date. Over to you Brett…

When I first started playing music…
I was twelve years old, learning guitar at summer camp. I learned by hanging around my counselors and watching them play old campfire songs.

I knew I was on to something when…
My friends would ask me to play songs for them. In college, I started writing songs and my friends would encourage me to sing them whenever we got together.

My biggest influences are…
Paul Simon, Pablo Neruda, Rumi, and Cat Stevens. At least, I try to emulate them the most. I’m always inspired whenever I read or hear them.

I’m most proud of…
The songs I write. I think they are from the heart. It’s hard to be authentic and sincere. At least it takes a lot of courage. I’m proud of my sincerity.

My ideal support slot would be with…
The Eagles, 1977. I want to join them on stage and sing harmonies with Henley and Frey and play acoustic guitar while Joe Walsh plays slide.

Something I haven’t achieved yet which I’d like to is…
Write a song for a country singer. I love how much heart and soul is in country. I can’t really sing it myself, but I can relate.

My favourite place to hang out is…
The mountains. I get most of my inspiration from natural places. Mountains make me reflective.

One item I can’t live without on tour is…
Pencil and paper. I can draw or write with them. I always need to be creative.

I can’t stop listening to…
JT Mirrors. I love the stacks of harmonies. Great melody too. The chorus is super long.

I’m not ashamed to admit that…
I can’t stop listening to JT Mirrors. it could also be a guilty pleasure. It’s a bit cheesy.

Catch me next…
On top of Kilimanjaro in January. I’ll be hiking up and playing a concert on top to raise money for The Impact Plan. They are a children’s cancer hospital in Tanzania.

UK TOUR DATES

SUPPORTING PALOMA FAITH
28 October Sheffield City Hall
29 October Southend Cliffs Pavilion
31 October Hull City Hall
01 November York Barbican
02 November Leeds O2 Academy
04 November Liverpool Empire
05 November Manchester O2 Apollo
06 November Manchester O2 Apollo
08 November Plymouth Pavilions
09 November Reading Hexagon
10 November Birmingham Symphony Hall
12 November Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
13 November Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
14 November Leicester De Montford Hall
16 November Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
17 November Aberdeen Music Hall
18 November Newcastle City Hall
20 November Bath Forum
21 November Brighton Centre
22 November Wolverhampton Civic Hall
24 November Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
25 November London Eventium Apollo (Hammersmith)

HEADLINE DATES
26 November London St Pancras Old Church