Darren Hanlon's Homecoming

Darren Hanlon is that cute guy on Candle Records who sings songs about crosswords and shoes. He's been away for a while, but keep your eyes peeled - he'll be in a town near you any day now.

ND: You're back after a relatively long absence. What have you been up to?

Darren: Well i've been writing and touring and living over in Oxford in the UK. I feel more intelligent from just being there. It happens by osmosis.

ND: Are you back for good?

DH: Back where? I'm always around somewhere. So don't let your guard down!

ND: So is this tour just another excuse not to sign a lease? Seriously, what's it in aid of seeing as there's no new release to flog?

DH: To tell the truth I am just moving into a new house, probably the nicest one i've ever rented. We have our own gardener and my room has a lot of shelf space and looks like an upscale 'urbane outfitters' or 'gap' or something. But we're going in to record a new album in 2 weeks so I wanted to do a short tour to try out some new songs. So you guys are guinea pigs.

ND: And why is there no new release to flog? All your songs seem to be on Candle compilations before anywhere else these days.

DH: So after we record Bree and I will be heading back to the Northern Hemisphere to tour and while we're away the new album will be born. It doesn't have a name yet but as soon as i see it i'll just know.

ND: Is there much new stuff to be heard this time around?

DH: I guess we'll try out at least 5 or 6 new ones so we don't bore the people with short attention spans.

ND: Who's Cory and where'd you find him?

DH: Cory Gray is a songwriter and amazing piano player from Portland who I met while over there recording some tracks in type foundry studios. He plays for a band called Desert City Soundtrack and guests in others. I really wanted him on the new album so it just worked out that he could do a few shows with me first. It's his first time to australia so he's excited. I always seem to be a tour guide. Don't think we'll have time to visit the blundstone factory this time though.

ND: How do your songs match up with piano instead of the usual strings accompaniment?

DH: Not sure yet, we haven't rehearsed. Hopefully like a hand in a glove.

ND: Will Bree be making any appearances?

DH: Unfortunately Bree won't be coming down to Tassie, but she will be playing Sydney and Canberra. I probably just lost half the crowd with that revelation. I wanted this tour to be more stripped back. I've been playing a few shows solo again and really enjoying it. Besides Bree and I have a long year ahead of us. I promise she'll be back for the album tour at the end of the year.

ND: What are the fables on your website all about? Will there be any more after your encounter with Nick Cave's writing? If so can we expect one about Eli soon?

DH: I'm still trying to come to terms with having a website. Now people are trying to talk me into myspace as well! I can't keep up. I do have a lot more stories and I'll get them up there soon.

ND: Would you call yourself a country musician?

DH: Well I was born in the country but...no but there are a few country tinged tunes that might go on the next cd so we'll see what the reviewers tag me with this time

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