Dan Patlansky – 20 Questions

The South African guitarist/vocalist/songwriter undertakes one of Pete’s customised question sets and we give his upcoming UK tour dates below – thanks Dan! 

  •  Do you have any favoured stage guitars?
    Absolutely, one in particular:  “The Mega” Guitar, made up of two guitars that I’ve been playing for years…1) Old 62 Strat: Neck, Pick Guard… the 2nd, a Older Guitar I picked up in LA, The Body, to make up the ‘Mega Guitar’, I prefer to play on stage…
  • Best rock’n’roll swagger recording NOT by the Rolling Stones (artist / track / source album)
    “Rival Sons” Album ‘Pressure & Time’…
  • Who’s in your current touring line-up?
    Bass: Clint Falconer…Drums: Steph Nortje…
  •  Tell me about ‘Pop Collar Jockey’
    Written for a very specific Johannesburg/South Africa ‘Gentlemen’- “POP COLLAR JOCKEYS”…who wears ‘Golf T-shirt’ 3 x sizes too small, collar popped up…has energy Drink & Tribal Tattoos…listens to Dance music on way to work & likes to punch guys like me in the face for no reason & enjoy it..!!!~
  • What was it like growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa?
    Similar to growing up in LA, I guess…Big Buildings…Gangsters…Violence, if you’re in the wrong place…Great Music scene, with many cultural influences… 
  • What’s your opinion on guitar solos?
    Wrong question to ask ‘Guitarist’, Ha ha!…Guitar solo’s: Do it…Dont overdo it..! Make Music, not Math…
  • How did you get to open for Bruce Springsteen?

We were approached by Promoter, to present my ‘works’ to Bruce Springsteen, he liked it, invited us…Highlight of my career, to perform on same stage as two inspirational Muso’s…The Boss, himself & Tom Morello…what an   honour it was, having them both, watch our performance…

  • Which artist did you go to see perform with low expectations but ended up impressed? Where and when was this?
    2013, I was Invited to Tour with ‘EVERLAST’ Ex: House of Pain…Acoustic Shows, I was never a fan, knew very little about him…Songwriting & Vocal performances that absolutely blew my mind…Now, I’m a big Fan…
  •  Of all of your material, what do you think is your best piece of work?

Not sure I understand this question…sorry, pls explain…My Best: ‘Dear Silence Theives’

  • Can you dance? Do you dance?
     I can’t dance & do not dance…
  • Can you tell me the thinking behind the album title ‘Dear Silence Thieves’?
    “Dear Silence Thieves”…dedicated to those very specific people, that insist on coming to “live” Music performances & have a social chat throughout the performance…complete disregard to the performers & the rest of the Audience…
  • Have you ever recorded or would you like to record a duet with a female? And if so, who?
    Would like do something with ‘Joanne Shaw Taylor’…been following her career & enjoy what she does…
  • What song and by whom puts you in a thoughtful frame of mind, and why?
    John Mayer – “Vultures’…Lyrically, puts me in emotional/open minded headspace…
  • Which of your own recordings show you at your most a/ aggressive b/ relaxed c/ confused?Aggressive: ’20 Stones’, Relaxed: ‘Wooden Thoughts”, Confused: ‘Standing at the Station’.
  •  What music are you listening to at the moment?

 Beck “Morning Phase”. Inspirational song writing.

  •  Is there a book or novel that you would like to create songs or the score for? Why is this?
    “No Country for Old Men”…The Movie, had no music. That made it, awesome in its own right. But, I do think my music would suit this plot.
  • Is there a song that both you and your Mum or Dad really like? Or liked
    “Dazed & Confused” – Led Zeppelin…both parents and I grew up with it…
  • Name a TV series where the theme music was better than the actual shows and do you know who created or recorded it?
    “True Detective”. Good series, much better Music.
  • Congratulations on being the special guest on the Joe Satriani UK Tour. What are your three aims with every live performance?
    1) – To play the most musical set I can…2) – To impress ‘Satriani’ Fans…3) – To promote my music to a different audience…
  • Name a recording (an album maybe) that really ‘grew’ on you and has ended up as essential listening? What is it about this recording that you value?

‘Texas Flood’ by Stevie Ray Vaughn – Slightly more Blues/Rock feel & guitar tone, just at a supreme level & Inspirational to me…

Pete Sargeant

Dan Patlansky is special guest on Joe Satriani’s “Shockwave Supernova” 9-date UK Tour which starts November 1 at O2 Manchester Apollo. Other dates includes Birmingham Symphony Hall (Nov 2), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Nov 3), Sheffield City Hall (Nov 4), Cardiff St David’s Hall (Nov 5), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (Nov 7), Bristol Colston Hall (Nov 8), Portsmouth Guildhall (Nov 9), and Eventim Apollo Hammersmith (Nov 10). Further info: www.ticketline.co.uk/joe-satriani#bio or www.danpatlansky.com 

(Thank you to Stephen Fourie for the photo, Dan Patlansky for taking part in the 20 questions series, Glenn Sargeant for question contribution, Kieran White, and both Peter Noble and Asher Alexander at Noble PR for their continued support)