A one-man band no longer

Erin Pearson
FROM humble beginnings in Canada’s eclectic villages to packed theatres across the world, Dan Mangan has come a long way.
Returning to Australia for the fourth time with his new album Nice, Nice, Very Nice, Mangan has ditched the one-man and backpack style performance for a loud and proud band experience.
“The last three times I’ve visited Australia because of my limited budget I’ve always had to come on my own,” he said.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing alone, it offers a different atmosphere, but this time around I felt it was necessary to make it as big as possible.”
Mangan told the Independent although some shows were more “magical” than others, due to modest crowds it only made him more determined to succeed.
Now he was facing the challenges associated with success.
“I think the challenges are different when you first start, you’re constantly questioning whether you’re good enough, driven by a pipedream of what it could become,” he said.
“But when you work out the logistics the fantasy starts to disappear and you gain a practical sense of what’s required.
“I’d been digging and digging for years and it’s starting to pay off.”
Mangan’s since been awarded The Verge’s Artist of the Year accolade; Canada’s public broadcaster championed Robots as Best Song and Best Vocals of 2009 and he’s even performed in Dubai.
Despite his recent rise to fame, Mangan said performing as part of a band had been a highlight.
“The band live and breathe their instruments and it’s something that I actually envy, I’ve never been as attached to my instruments,” he laughed.
“I did enjoy that I could make split decisions when I was alone regarding where to stay and what to see, but the pay off is I now have a good group mentality where ever I go.”
Mangan said his latest hit single Road Regrets was a perfect example of something created while isolated.
“It was written while I was on a trip all across the USA travelling alone on 10 hour drives day after day,” he said.
“When you’re in that kind of solitude and exhausted you kind of waver the line between sane and insane.
“Songs can come from the strangest of places.”
Dan Mangan will be at The Nash on January 21.