Following the release of his critically acclaimed third album ‘Grand Plan’, released last year through Communion Records, Dan Croll has now announced plans for a new live album of his latest full-length, due out on April 2nd.
Although arriving as a digital only release, it will be split into two parts, much like a double album release, with ‘Disc 1’ being the audio from the Spacebomb live stream (Live at Spacebomb) and ‘Disc 2’ the audio from the Wild Honey Pie live music video series, which accompanied the original release.
Previewing the live record are the two versions of his standout single ‘So Dark‘, from both sides of the release. While the ‘Live at Spacebomb’ version saw him reconnect with his live band, the ‘Live From An Uber’ version is a far more stripped-back and off-the-cuff rendition of the original offering. Each performance of the track aims to add a new and unique texture to the song, giving the listener a totally different sonic experience each time and something closer to what they have come to expect from Dans live shows / performances.
With live / touring around the release of ‘Grand Plan’ an impossibility, Dan wanted to share more of the live experience with his fans. The ‘Live at Spacebomb’ recordings saw Dan return to Spacebomb studios in Richmond Virginia where the album was originally recorded and reunite with producer Matthew E. White, who performed live for the session, alongside the original band who played on the album. It was a chance for all involved to collaborate once again, albeit in very different circumstances. Originally recorded exclusively for a one off ‘live stream’ event this is the first time fans will be able to listen back to the live recording on all streaming platforms.
As the ‘Live at Spacebomb’ sessions were recorded during the height of the pandemic, vigilance, facemasks and an abundance of Covid testing were just some of the precautions necessary when it came to creating the session.
Speaking about the new collection, Dan says, “The idea of releasing a live album was born from the sessions wed done pre-pandemic with Wild Honey Pie, and then during it with Spacebomb. I thought it would be a great contrast to capture the audio from those sessions on one album. One side that hears me playing my songs worry free around L.A. at the places where I wrote them, and the other side locked down in Richmond, distanced and masked in Spacebomb studios. Hopefully this album can somewhat temporarily fill the void of live gigs until were all back together again.”
“When we recorded the Spacebomb tracks, we were already seven months into the lockdown and whirlwind of 2020, none of us had played music, none of us had any work coming through, and so it felt incredible to suddenly all be reunited and in the same room playing the songs we had so much fun recording the year before. I think these live tracks really captured that energy and excitement, as well as the flare that these guys have when your one take starts.”
“I would give anything right now to be touring and playing live shows, but thats not safe nor possible right now. Like everyone else, musicians have to adapt, and it makes me really proud to have a team and friends whove been able to bring this album together to help ease the pain of not having live music right now.”
“Releasing an album during a worldwide pandemic was never going to be easy, but Ive been over the moon with the reactions Ive had from this collection of new songs. When I think about how I personally feel about my own music, this is without a doubt the proudest Ive been and so naturally I was apprehensive and nervous about showing everyone my change of sound. Thankfully, the feedback has been great, and it’s given me a new positive outlook on life to continue to create despite whats going on in the world around me.”
‘Grand Plan: Live’ Tracklist:
Disc 1:
Yesterday (Live At Spacebomb)
Actor With A Loaded Gun (Live at Spacebomb)
So Dark (Live at Spacebomb)
Honeymoon (Live at Spacebomb)
Grand Plan (Live at Spacebomb)
Surreal (Live at Spacebomb)
Disc 2:
Stay In LA (Live from Echo Park)
Actor With A Loaded Gun (Live from Diner)
So Dark (Live in an Uber)
Grand Plan (Live from Home)
Cold-blooded (Live From Old-Style Guitars)
Surreal (Live From Will Rogers Beach)
Players on Spacebomb tracks:
Alan Parker – Guitar
Cameron Ralston – Bass
Daniel Clarke – Keys/Synths
Devonne Harris – Drums
Matthew E. White – Production & Percussion
The original record, ‘Grand Plan’ chronicled the 12-month period starting in February 2018 when Croll decided to up sticks and move to Los Angeles after the realisation that he might be becoming restless in Liverpool. Over the ensuing 12 months Dan turned his experiences into 20-odd songs, eventually whittling them down to a solid dozen chapters. Then, in spring 2019, he spent a month with the estimable Matthew E. White in Virginia bringing to life the songs in the inimitable Spacebomb country-psych-soul style. Each song tells a story, in narrative order.
Taking a different approach to releasing new music, from the start of the year the singer-songwriter released pairs of singles, in chronological order as they appear on the record. With these single couplets being released almost once a month, they all led to the release of ‘Grand Plan’. It seemed fitting to kick off the Live Album campaign in a similar fashion with the release of a new couplet, albeit in this instance two different live versions of his single ‘So Dark’
Pre-save ‘Grand Plan (Live)’ here – http://dancroll.lnk.to/grandplanliveListen to ‘Grand Plan’ studio album here – http://dancroll.lnk.to/grandplan