Dan Parsons

Dan Parsons

Dan Parsons is an Australian rock, indie and indie pop artist, born in 1987. He begins his recording work with the heritage-flavoured debut release Old Brown Shoe in 2007. After that, he moves away from that early approach and starts again with a new direction, spending around six months demoing and experimenting in a one-man-band style before forming a new group.

Early releases and development

Parsons’ first release, Old Brown Shoe, sets out a more heritage-leaning sound. He then abandons a planned set of recordings and rebuilds his material from scratch, shaping a different style based on new influences and peers. His work at this stage draws on a mix of older and newer musical ideas rather than staying with one genre.

Debut album and collaborators

For the transition into his debut album, Parsons works with Melbourne producer John Castle and with James O’Brien of The Boat People. His flag-ship single is Run With Me, which opens the album campaign. By this point, his music takes cues from modern indie acts such as Wilco and Death Cab For Cutie, while still looking back to the artists that formed part of his childhood listening.

Style

His songs combine different genres and move between them without sharp boundaries. Run With Me is described through rolling toms, layered guitars, and call-and-response vocals, ending with a lyrical twist that points to the multiple influences in his work.