NEWS
EVENTS
This Summer's Rock and Croll
Friday 12th July 2013 | Benjamin
It seems wrong, but with sunny weather comes a slight dip in my interest in new music. Classics and stalwarts of my 2007 ‘Summer Slammers’ playlist come back out, and I’m more than happy to listen to The Loving Spoonful or Mungo Jerry’s ‘In the Summertime’.
This year, however, there is one artist I can’t help from keeping a close eye on - Dan Croll. The singer-songwriter who emerged from the Liverpool scene a couple of years ago has released his third single this week, ‘In/Out’, which caps off an impressive 10 months for the former rugby player. September 2012’s ‘From Nowhere’ was championed by numerous radio DJs, with Radio 1s Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe airing the single and its follow up ‘Compliment Your Soul’ with enthusiasm and Nostradamus-esque prophecies regarding Croll’s talent.
This week’s release shows a continuation in Croll’s evolution from music student at Liverpool’s LIPA to a fully-fledged and confidant artist. The talent has always been there, with early pieces such as ‘Home’ and ‘Marion’ encompassing beautiful harmonies (not the Mumford kind, don’t worry) and simple yet intelligent lyrics that were clearly influenced by his move from a small market town to one of music’s most famous cities.
(See ‘Home’ performed live at the McCartney Auditorium below)
After working with Sir Paul upon graduating, Croll has taken his somewhat introspective lyrics and personally charged music further afield, touring in Europe and performing at a range of festivals. Wider exposure to new audiences has led to a subtle but effective change in Croll’s music, one that seems to place him as one of the voices of this so far balmy summer. ‘Compliment Your Soul’ has a distinct rhythm, and coupled with the exotic imagery of the video, a sub-Saharan feel emerges. Similarly light and playful is ‘In/Out’, the faster drummed intro and vocally layered chorus again evokes a sound and feeling that belongs to the long nights.
Croll is expected to release a debut EP in the near future, hopefully encompassing a mix of both the new style of drum machines and synths as well as the melodic early pieces. But for now, we have to make do with the singles on YouTube. Watch the views rise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jq0M5jTSuk
Dan Croll - In/Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBWnTzEhpbc
Dan Croll - Compliment Your Soul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYdB3rectmc
Dan Croll - From Nowhere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H1rZxUApq0
Dan Croll - Home (Live at the McCartney Auditorium)
By Benjamin Jones @benjaminooooooo
