Dekker Talks New Album, Single And More

American singer-songwriter Dekker has released his third solo album ‘Future Ghosts’ which is out now and includes the single “Popped The Top”. Dekker kindly chatted to us about his new record and more: 

Your new album ‘Future Ghosts’ is  out now. How did you want to approach the making of the record?

My new record “Future Ghosts” was released on Friday 1st March 2024. My approach was similar to past records in terms of how it was written & recorded but I was looking for moodier and more textural sounds and turns for this record.

Where did you record it and who produced it?

The majority of the record was recorded in my home studio in Nottingham. The work flow for most of the songs on the three Dekker records has been that I write and demo the songs at home on my own. I’ll sit on them for a while until I have a batch of songs that feel like they belong together. This is a gut feeling mostly. Once I begin recording, I like to try to stick to a schedule and move quickly. I find that the longer it takes to record a song, the further I get from the initial essence or spirit of the song. Once I have a tone and a structure for the song that I’m happy with I send it to my drummer Stefan who then records drums and percussion in his studio in Berlin. Sometimes I have notes for him but mostly I trust his take on it. In this way, we produce the songs together. After Stefan puts his drums on, I may or may not put final touches on the track then it’s sent to Zach Hanson to mix/master.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

One thing that I did differently in recording this album was that I went to Berlin to play the first few demos for my drummer Stefan. I spoke to him about the texture and openness I was wanted to aim for. We sort of dreamt about scenarios and techniques and then we ended up recording the drums with a new (to Dekker) reduced micing technique. It made for an open vibey feel that, I believe set us off on a good foot for recording the rest of the album.

In addition, you have your new single ‘Popped The Top’ which is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the song?

This song was written as a kind of inner monologue. It’s a song from myself to myself. It tinkers in the realms of addiction and potential.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?

I recently commissioned a new guitar to be built by a luthier here in the East Midlands. It’s a short scale classical guitar that looks and feels perfect for me. It’s taken all the thinking and adjusting out of playing for me.

Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?
I played my album release show in London at the Lexington on my album release day 1st March. After that, I had a big EU release tour and a summer of festivals. I hope to be back in the UK to tour in the autumn.

How do you look after your voice?

Probably not well enough, to be honest.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I don’t tend to think in those terms in real time. Like a bird is designed to fly, I feel like I am designed to write and perform songs. Saying that, as I sit here now, I guess the dream is to put the songs across in such a way that they are latched onto by the audience and in that way connecting and lifting us from the mundane to a higher plain.

Was it a difficult album to write?

I didn’t suffer for the writing of this album but I did visit some tough memories in order to put a bow on them in that way a song can.

What makes Dekker happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happiness is an elusive and fleeting thing as far as I can tell. It comes unexpectedly with a well crafted meal, punchline or orgasm. I don’t reach for happiness, rather I am aiming for sustainability in my life and career. If I can sustain meaningful relationships with those that I love and achieve and retain continuity in creating punctuated by moments of happiness, I’d be set.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Andreas Hornoff

Dekker’s new album ‘Future Ghosts’ is out now on Useful Fiction Records. 

Bancamp: https://dekkermusic.bandcamp.com/album/future-ghosts 

For more information visit his official website: https://dekker-store.myshopify.com/