Project Description

Interview With

DAN CAPLEN

Interviewer: Kelsey Hentschel

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Dan Caplen, a rising R&B singer, songwriter and musician from the UK, recently hit Australian shores to perform at the Logie Awards.

Dan is best know for his featured vocals on the Rudimental single ‘These Days’ featuring Macklemore, Jess Glynne and Dan Caplen, as well as his new single Trouble featuring Ms Banks. Dan is also featured on two tracks on Macklemore’s most recent album Gemini (Intentions and Miracle). Dan Took the time to chat with AMNplify about the Logies performance and his whirlwind success.

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Hey Dan, How’s it all going?

Yeah not too bad mate, how’re you?

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I’m all right thanks. Firstly I just want to jump in and talk about the Logies. Obviously, award shows are so different to all other shows, so how did it all go down? Did you find it strange performing to people sitting around tables in gowns?

Yeah (laughs) it was super cool. It was pretty funny because we did the whole red carpet thing & I didn’t actually have a table, so I literally went back to my hotel room & watched it. I was watching it as I was getting changed for the performance, came downstairs and sang, then went back upstairs again! It was wild. I had so much fun.

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That’s so funny that you didn’t even get a table!

(Laughs) I actually kind of preferred it because I got to relax and watch it. I had a cheeky steak in my room, and got into the right mind frame.

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Oh awesome. And how have you found Australia so far?

Honestly it’s so good. It’s been my first experience at the gold coast & that was just amazing. It’s a crazy place man! It’s like one long party. I unfortunately have to leave, but I’m definitely going to come back again. I’ve loved it.

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Great to hear! So, with the track ‘These Days’ it’s gotten so massive, especially over here. Were you expecting/prepared for the success?

I mean, you always have high hopes for songs, but this has surpassed anything I thought. I’m so happy & so lucky that it has done what it’s done.

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Through this track you’ve had the opportunity to travel & perform it at festivals/award shows etc. How have you found the experience of being a featured singer?

I mean the great thing is that Jess Glynne & Rudimental have gone through this quite a few times, so I’ve had them to kind of help me and give me a little guidance. For instance, when we were sound checking the Wembley Arena show, Jess was telling me “don’t walk too far out or you’ll lose signal in your ears”. Absolute legends, that’s the kind of thing that you’d only know from learning so I’m lucky to have them around.

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That Wembley Arena show, absolutely insane. Surely that’s been a highlight career wise for you? How did you react when you got told you’d be playing in front of 12,500 people.

I was absolutely buzzing. When I found out I was just jumping around. I bought my mum & my old man. It was incredible. A really cool moment.

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Touching on the feature. You’ve worked with a bunch of artists, especially with Macklemore in the past & even with your new single ‘Trouble’ (ft. Ms Banks), Is collaboration something you’re into? Or was it coincidence the way its worked out?

I mean, its all fun & games writing by yourself. But I think the best stuff comes when you can see stuff from other’s perspectives. I always like to write with other people. It makes it more fun.

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Speaking of collaboration, is there any particular artist it would be a dream for you to work with?

Childish Gambino! I’ve been re listening to his old albums & obviously the new song ‘This is America’ is amazing. He’s just got a lot to say with his art. I have a lot of respect for that. That’d be the dream.

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I want to jump cack and talk about your early career & signing to Atlantic Records after self-releasing an EP. How did you decide to sign? Especially in this digital age of self-releases?

It was honestly the people that people. The team at Atlantic I got along so well with them & I just knew I wanted to work with them. It’s all about who I wanted to work with. It felt right.

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I love the new single. I wanted to know what the decision was to release an acoustic version of ‘Trouble’ as well.

I’ve always liked if you can strip back a song & it still sounds complete & good. I love listening to chilled acoustic music so that’s basically why I wanted to do it. Put a little spin on it.

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You’re releasing music pretty consistently now. Is there a plan for another EP or an album in future?

I’m just taking it day by day. Keep putting tunes out & see where it takes me.

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And on that note, what are your plans for the remainder of 2018? More touring? What’s on the cards?

I think towards the end of the year I’ll be doing some more tours. I’m just spending my time in the studio writing. Ain’t got much else on.

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Well thanks so much for having a chat with me. Wishing you all the best & hope to see you back in Australia very soon.

Thanks Kelsey.

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AMNPLIFY – DB