After spending much of the last few years building and developing his sound, Welsh artist DADDY DRWG is now looking to introduce himself to the wider world with his riveting debut album 'A Tree Called Happy'.
Featuring the previously shared hit single 'I'm Your Waste Of Time', this new ten-track collection makes for an incredibly bold and driven listen. Filled with broad and immersive textures, a shimmering atmosphere, and his own impactful vocals at the helm, 'A Tree Called Happy' cements him as one of the more innovative names emerging right now.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely the guitar. I have always loved the sound of the guitar from a very early age, be it either acoustic or electric. It can be beautiful to listen to an acoustic guitar piece or song or be roused by a meaty guitar riff or solo. For me, there isn’t another instrument that can be as versatile in expression.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was younger I was a bit of a metal head or hard rock. Probably due to my love of the guitar. The genre has produced some of the best players of the instrument. There are so many inventive players, too many to mention here. I wouldn’t say there is a ‘best’ as they all bring something different to the table. I don’t listen to metal at all now but my ears prick up if I hear something fresh & new.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Probably a Dio album. I really liked them. Ronnie James Dio had an excellent metal vocal and he’d use different guitarists for different albums too.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I usually throw all my ideas down in a recording session. It can be 10 guitar parts, 6 synth lines, 2 different melodies, countless harmonies and then I take a break from it for a day or so then go in and try to remove as much as possible. I always try a Less Is More approach to songwriting.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I don’t listen to as much music as I used to, I prefer podcasts whilst at work. Typically the musician in me hones in and deconstructs the song. With podcasts I can switch off. That said, I’ve been using the Discover Weekly feature on Spotify when I get the urge to listen to music. There’s so many great artists I’ve been turned on to. The Decemberists, The National, Nick Cave, Editors, Lau, Bell X1, Benjamin Clementine, Peter Broderick to name a very small few.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Full line-up Pink Floyd.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I studied a Post Grad in Music Technology at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama to enable me to work both sides of the desk. I’ve moved to a more rural area than the City of a Cardiff where I grew up and I have built a studio. What I find the most rewarding is having the freedom to write & create without any pressures or time constraints when working in a commercial studio with other musicians. There’s nothing wrong with that and I’ve done it many times but I like to take my time, I enjoy tinkering with new sounds and ideas. Outside of being with my wife & 2 daughters, it’s where I feel most relaxed and a sanctuary to shut out the world.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Getting my music to the right ears, be that fans or industry. As an independent artist you have to wear so many hats; musician, engineer, producer, artwork designer, web designer, plugger, PR, agent, manager, social media controller, everything. Without major label representation it’s hard to manage every aspect effectively. I also run my own business not connected to music full time so I’m time poor too. It is extremely hard to compete with major label signed artists who have all that done ‘in house’ as it were. It’s a bit David & Goliath.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
When I was teaching myself guitar at 15 I read an interview with Ronnie James Dio where he was asked what advice he would give aspiring musicians and he said ‘Don’t Give Up!’ That was 35 years ago and I’m still here.
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DADDY DRWG's debut album 'A Tree Called Happy' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.