The salient scopes of hard rock and metal find one of the most experienced and integrated creative blends with artist Dan Wande’s newly released album, ‘Way Back’.
Artist Dan Wande recently released his new album ‘Way Back’, a captivating three-song saga that imbibes the best essence of metal hard rock alongside its atypical and intense streams of lyrical and rhythmic symbiosis. The album was in works for several years and the artist’s persistence and conviction led to the arrangement of the songs ‘Angels Crying’, ‘Lady Steelheart’, and ‘Way Back’ that complete the creative arc of the record. He worked with friend and drummer Daniel Trogen and along with the collaboration of session musicians from Greece, Italy, Poland, and the USA, the entirety of the album came to full circle. Written, arranged, and produced by the artist himself, the album is a reflection of his creative mind told through the endless musical proximities of hard rock with subtle brushes of metal’s intense streaks. Working on an upcoming EP called Dragon Force, a lyric video, a full-length album, and a follow-up writing for his album Wings, his musical journey is full to the brim. Follow his work on Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp to enliven the essence of musical drama.
Please tell us more about your music, genre, and soundscape.
I think that my genre is a bit of old and new school of metal hard rock. That has been my goal due to my love of the old timeless music. This said I wanted a new production sound but production vise-like delays and reverbs really beck in time. I wanted it when I started on the mix part to get a wide sound but really centered in its punch.
Can you describe the creative theme and inspiration behind ‘Way Back’?
My creative process is like an explosion, and the initial creativity flows like water. It is after that I start looking at what has come out from my guitar session. Cubase runs and what comes out are small seeds that I start working on, keep, and not to keep.
How important is lyrical structuration in your music?
That is the hardest question, some lyrics are created at the moment, most of the lyrics are written like doubled a story and a hook into the life I have lived. Lady Steelheart is one. Often, I hit words that fit the mood of the music, but the word is far from the other lyrics, then sometimes it gets a bit deep minded. My native language is of course not English, but I try to get it right.
How would you describe the existing metal ad hard rock scene?
It is not what it was like in the 80;s the big bands to major venues and it is harder to get a contract that really means some investments from record companies, they throw out a lot of bands to see IF some band hits the market. A lot harder to get recognized today.
What according to you is the future of metal and hard rock as separate genre entities?
I think that both styles will remain, but you will also see combinations of the 2 entities. There are no boundaries in music
How important are live gigs in the growth of an artist?
Very important, you might have to start playing small venues and from there grove to larger and larger venues, but it is hard work and in my mind the way you have to go to start grooving a fan base.
What are the drawbacks of being an independent musician?
Well, the contact web is smaller worldwide in principle non-existing so work from scratch; in Sweden, I have better ways to go and to reach out. But as always, I can’t know how far I will get with my projects. The first struggle will be to get bandmembers when COVID blows away. But that is something that I will fix when it is time.
How important to you is audience feedback?
Oh, it is so important due to my growth as a musician, what type of songs hit the roof, and what songs fall like a stone. And also, the great feeling to meet an audience, it is for them all the hard work is done. The audience is why I have been doing this for so long.
Do you think the music industry will change its course post-2020?
I think that there is a before 2020 and one after 2020, but I think that when the people of the world have learned to live with this COVID there will be a great hunger for music performances all over the world. How the record companies think is a question that I really don’t have a clue about.
Any plans for collaborating with musicians?
Well on this album I collaborated with a lot of musicians all over the world in the role of music writer, producer. In the future, it would be nice to get a constellation ready to hit the road and meet listeners of this kind of music.
What are your tips for upcoming musicians?
Never give up and never ride any high horses because it will bite back in the end if you do. Work really hard and practice and practice AND practice some more until you now your instrument. Use your ears and believe in what you do. It might be a long way but never give up.
