Music
Press
"The deliciously downbeat Postcards and Daydreaming is a good sulky-day companion for anyone who has already invested in the collected works of Hayden or Crooked Fingers." - --------------------------
"Reverential elegance... It's not easy to play slowly but Mangan's growly ruminations demand it." - --------------------------
"In the end, the real appeal of this album is that even through a static speaker, it still seems as though Dan Mangan is singing only to you." - --------------------------
"It is a mystery to me why Dan Mangan has not yet reached superstardom.” - --------------------------
"There is poetic power here." - --------------------------
”His gruff croon has enslaved my ears, it's just so horribly beautiful... Resistance is futile. There is no escape. Let this be a warning - once you're into this album, there is no getting out." (Rating: A) - --------------------------
“Mangan sounds like the West Coast's answer to Damien Rice. It's powerful, affecting stuff, and it's something everyone should have when they're feeling a little down.” - --------------------------
"His voice opens up and loats around the room like the smells from my cup of coffee and really let's you have something to hold onto on those days where everything else seems lost.” - --------------------------
"This folk singer may only be 23, but he sings with the soul of Woody Guthrie - if Woody Guthrie had listened to Godspeed (You Black Emperor) and The Jesus and Mary Chain." - --------------------
“Dan’s music is what you’d expect from a lovechild of Harry Nilsson or Tom Waits.” - --------------------
Discography
July 2009 - Nice, Nice, Very Nice
(FUM - Canada) (ABC/Warner - Australia)
March 2009 - Roboteering EP
(FUM - Canada - Online/Offstage only. Limited 500 copy release)
2007 - Postcards and Daydreaming
(FUM - Canada) (ABC/Warner - Australia)
Photos
Bio
In August of 2009, Dan Mangan will release his sophomore album, Nice, Nice, Very Nice. And it’s about time. After three and a half years of touring his sleeper-hit, Postcards and Daydreaming, Dan is ready and eager to unveil a collection of lyrical ruminations that showcase his growth as a songwriter.
Titled in reference to a Kurt Vonnegut poem, Nice, Nice, Very Nice was recorded in Toronto in fall 2008 under the creative eye of producer John Critchley (Elliott Brood, 13 Engines, Holy Fuck, Hidden Cameras). Dropping in to add their talents were such hero Canadian artists as Justin Rutledge, Veda Hille, Mark Berube and members of Elliott Brood, Said The Whale, Mother Mother, Major Maker and Small Sins.
There is a raw rootsiness to Nice, Nice, Very Nice that touches on aspects of indie-pop. There are a number of toe-tappers amid his trademark lamentations and, though it’s mellow at times, what Mangan has to offer isn’t overly precious or delicate. He simply writes songs that evoke the wonder and the absurdity in what we do.
At 25 years of age, Mangan has already toured Canada, the UK, USA and Australia numerous times. He’s played coffee shops to six people and festival stages to a thousand. He has showcased at Canadian Music Week, South-By-South-West, North-By-North-East, The Great Escape (UK), MusExpo (LA), Big Sound (AUS), Western Canadian Music Awards, Transmission and COCA. Whether alone or with his Vancouver-based band, Dan continues to work all the time.
Dan’s debut album has kept him on the move with opportunities.. Record deals in Canada (FUM) and Australia (ABC/Warner) were accompanied by invitations to showcase at festivals around the world. Britain’s NME magazine featured him as one of Canada’s most promising acts. Back home, he was featured on the CBC3 Podcast: The Future of Music “Artists we think will be great in 2008” and has since found regular rotation across the CBC. Gaining respect amid his peers, he has shared stages with Patrick Watson, The Acorn, Elliott Brood, Said The Whale, Hey Rosetta!, Mother Mother, Brett Dennen and has collaborated with spoken word artists such as Ivan Coyote and the internationally renowned Shane Koyczan.
Mangan weaves unique lyrical phrases that you feel you must always have known, He delivers them with his signature graveled vocals and understated humour. He doesn’t lean on ironic instruments or gimmicks. Somehow, it all just works. Dan stands up and people get quiet. They listen. More and more people all the time.
"Robots" at East Coast Blues & Roots in Byron Bay, Australia:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=obBjLIR_Aug
"Basket" Live on Passport Approved:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=t77tzkmQ-Mc
"Journal Of A Narcoleptic" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecCLndsse9g
Links
