Following on from a string of highly-praised releases throughout last year, fast-rising artist Denis Granan has now returned once again to deliver his shimmering new single 'The Man Who Killed A Star'.
Capturing more of that warm and riveting aesthetic he has quickly earned a reputation for, 'The Man Who Killed A Star' makes for a dazzling return for him. With his rich and inviting vocals spread across this lofty production throughout, he is returning to the fold with one of his more impactful efforts to date here.
So with the new single 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?
I started playing piano at six years old, I kind of hated going to lessons to be honest, but my mum was clever enough to only make me go for 30 minutes per week. It was nothing but I kept going for a while. I like that she didn’t force me, because I left it a few years later and when I was a teenager I wanted to go back on my own, many people end up hating instruments because their parents forced them to do it, there is a fine line between love and hate.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was a kid, it was a mixture between Latin songs from my parents: Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Shakira (the nice first albums), and many other names I don’t remember, and my sister: Michael Jackson, Celtic Music, Phil Collins, 90s stuff I grew up listening to.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first CD I bought was on a trip to France, I wanted to have some kind of souvenir and one of the cheap French ones was a Carla Bruni Album, funny enough… I didn’t expect to like it but I did, especially the acoustic ones. Then, one of the first albums I purchased on purpose I think was the Pearl Jam compilation Rear View Mirror and Pablo Honey from Radiohead.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to always start in a different way, trying to keep it entertaining, so I would start with the piano, then the guitar, another time pick up a bass, some drums, samples online… The idea is to enjoy the process and don’t allow the censor in you to ruin the process. Don’t think songs have to be great ones, if you try to get a great one you will most likely make a bad one, but if you enjoy writing a song, most likely there’s something there.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Chet Faker inspires me a lot, everything is very musical but he also breaks rules, things are not rigid and that liberates me when writing too. I’m also listening to Milky Chance, London Grammar, and Caroline Polachek.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
That would be Thom Yorke of Radiohead. I hope they continue touring and releasing new albums.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Connecting to your inner self and fulfilling the desire of creating something. I think the power of life is desire, it’s what gets you up from the bed and makes us do something. There are many types of desire but the artistic one can be enjoyed more than the others I feel, you just need to be open to it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Dealing with the censor side of your head, all the insecurities and excuses. It’s like TikTok, if you allow yourself to go, you are deep in a hole that you can’t get out of.
What is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
No one knows anything about how to make it in the industry, so free yourself from the pressure of having to follow someone else’s path. On the other hand, you will need to work hard. Everything takes more time than expected and everything costs money, better put yourself in a position where you can afford to dedicate time and money to music.
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Denis Granan's new single 'The Man Who Killed A Star' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.