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BORNEO born Dan Arborise knows how to live life in the raw.
He spent two years living in a Mongolian-style yurt on a wooded Devon hillside with only a 12-volt battery to power his stereo.
Water was lugged in from the well and the sound of the sea echoed down the valley.
“Actually, it was definitely the nicest room I have lived in,” songsmith Dan said.
“There was a carpet, a sofa, a kitchen worktop and a wood burning stove which made it all very warm and cosy even in the middle of winter.”
The two years of back to nature living on an organic farm came as Dan recorded his critically-acclaimed atmospheric debut album Around in Circles.
“Every now and then I would have to spend a week or so working in an underground studio in East London,” he explained.
“It was a bit of a contradiction living on a woody hilltop and working among all that urban desolation.
“Neither was reality really but it was always lovely to get back to North Devon.”
Dan’s daughter Aylen, now two, was also born during the yurt years.
“We actually went into a renovated barn on the farm for her birth but then moved back into yurt for the summer.
“It was a fantastic experience and definitely one I would recommend,” he said.
“I have never been so fit and healthy chopping all that wood and fetching and carrying all the water.”
Last summer’s album launch spawned a hectic 39-date nationwide tour and a support slot with rock maverick John Martyn.
Reviewers heaped praise on the release describing Dan as “John Martyn meets Nick Drake for the 21st century “ and “a seriously talented musician”.
Said Dan: “It was amazing supporting Martyn and playing in front of a sell out crowd. I sat on stage thinking I better enjoy this because it might never get this good again.
“I was well and truly frazzled by the end of the tour but the album was generally well received.
“It tends to evoke extreme reactions. Most people seem to really like it but those who don’t appear to really hate it.
“But at least I’m getting a reaction. It would be worse for people to just say it was nice.”
Dan, now 28, learned both classical guitar and piano when his Polish parents returned to London after years of globetrotting in the oil industry.
He kicked off his musical career with brief spells in a medieval quartet and a Pink Floyd tribute band.
But his first brush with fame came with the now defunct, but semi-legendary, pop punk outfit Playground.
The band’s first tour recorded rave reviews but “life differences” led to a split and Dan went on to study physics at Edinburgh University.
Inspired by Nick Drake and John Martyn, he gravitated towards acoustic guitar and, in particular, Drake’s complex techniques.
His solo career developed and Dan was soon in demand at venues throughout the UK.
Tracks for the debut album were written while Dan lived in a remote cottage in the Scottish Borders, the Cheviots providing inspiration and space to walk.
“I like to be outside in the fresh air as much as possible,” Dan said.
“It doesn’t matter what the weather is like as long as there is space to walk and some spectacular scenery to enjoy.
“That’s one of the reasons why we have settled in North Devon for now - the coastline here is amazing.”
Radio legend Mike Harding slotted Around In Circles in at number two in his top ten folk albums and Dan was Caffe Nero’s artist of the month for both October and November last year.
“We turned into a bit of a family touring machine at the end of last year. You know what it is like having a child - time tends to be a precious commodity.
“So we’ve had a couple of months off and I’ve been trying to write some new stuff while lining up festivals and other activities for the coming months.”
Dan says finding time to write is difficult but the new material is turning out “more ambient, more loopy”.
“I am trying to make the songs more intense. I am not entirely sure where it is going but in terms of the sound it is definitely more ambient.
“I have got a few more gadgets so the instrumental side of things is developing well but the songs are another matter at the moment.
“If I have time I will sit down and play and record for a few hours.
“Then I come back in a few months’ time, listen to it and sometimes find there is a nugget, a gem to work on for a new song.
“Amazingly, some of the really good songs come out fully formed first time around. Then it is just a case of learning it ready to play at a gig.
“Other times it is just getting an idea that needs piecing together.”
Experimenting with new material on the road helps Dan keep live shows fresh and exciting.
“We’ve got another 10-date tour coming up shortly and I’ll be playing some tracks from the album and some of my new stuff.
“Playing the new music helps stop me going insane playing the album over and over again.
“Most of the songs from the album were written four or five years ago and I have moved on quite a bit from that point.
“My music is more about atmosphere these days than anything else.”
ends
Copyright: Bernie Saunders, April 2007
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