Feature: Dane Anthony Swan Decodes “Lonely Winterland”
What inspired you to write the lyrics/music for "Lonely Winterland?"
I migrated to Canada nearly 30 years ago. Speaking to younger co-workers who are now going through the process that I did, I find it frustrating that the issues that I went through decades ago are now worse.
Being an immigrant, you are seen as an, "other." It's assumed that you will never really fit in. In a lot of ways, I still don't.
I see opportunities given to people who appear more Canadian, OR those who do a better job conforming, rather than more qualified candidates.
I see the abuse of power. I see kids in their 20's suffering through all of this hundreds/thousands of miles away from family, because dealing with the BS is their chance.
I remember everything that I've been through and realize, that I'm only slightly better off than those kids. I can still relate. I should share my memories, so that they know that they're not the only ones going through it.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for this song to life?
I produced and engineered “Lonely Winterland” myself. After almost a decade of not making music and almost 20 years since putting together a serious project, last year, when I decided to start releasing music again, I really appreciated where technology had reached. I guess I'm gonna sound old saying this, but I am in my 40's, so that's okay. In the late 90's/ early 2000's home studios were not cheap.
I remember building beats for clients, or personal projects and then having to go to a studio, or another producer's home to record vocals, or prepare a final mix. Now, for the price of a refurbished laptop and minimal equipment I can put together whatever I want.
Working alone gives me the freedom of time. I can spend a month mixing something. I can spend 2 or 3 days mastering a song. And if I don't like it, I can scrap the whole thing and start over.
For “Lonely Winterland,” I built the instrumental around my MicroKorg and Reface CP. I usually use VST percs, but for this song, I used samples from a library of sounds that I built up back when I was making beats for other people.
I wanted to create a sound that had grit. Something that screamed, "Past ideals of a dystopic future," sort of vibes.
How do you feel "Lonely Winterland" represents your artistic identity?
I don't know. Thematically, a lot of my new music is influenced by the blues. It's obviously not the blues. I don't know what genres I'm playing in, that's for smart people to figure out. I just remember a conversation I had with an old friend. She liked the blues because of the collective, "WE," that the genre evokes.
When a blues singer sings, "My baby left me." we all can relate. Whether I'm making sad music, or happy music. That's the energy I'm trying to evoke.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I come from a really musical family. Until my last single (with Rise Ashen and Balanced Records), I was the only member of my direct family who had never worked on a project with a record label.
I guess to stand out in a family like that, writing became my thing. I've written a few books, (mainly poetry), got nominated for a couple awards, edited a couple anthologies, etc.
When I really started to take writing seriously, I needed a creative outlet that wasn't writing. Writing is work. It's how I paid my bills for years. I needed something else, so I returned to making music.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
Yeah, I'm always asking myself, "What is home?" To me, words like "Home," and "Love" are mysterious. As I get older, I think I have a firmer grasp of love, but not home. Maybe one day. Maybe soon. But not yet.
