Daniel Fell
By Gavin MillerAs lead singer, main songwriter and all around head honcho of The Argonauts, Daniel Fell is now going solo. He's playing in Leeds at Carpe Diem on the 12th February, so Gavin Miller caught up with the man himself to have a little chat about all things musical...
For people new to you and your music, who are you and what do you sound like?!
My name is Daniel Fell, I'm twenty-one years old and I'm a singer-songwriter from North London. I basically make pop music but not in the Pop Idol sense.
Your former group, The Argonauts, had some great songs on your 'Telling Stories' EP, how long did it take to write?
The song "Telling Stories" was one of the first songs I wrote and I remember having that when I was trying to get a band together in Leeds in the summer of 2002. I thought it would be a good first song for people to hear because it's really simple and melodic and I thought it gave a good indication of who I am as a songwriter.
"Turning The Corner" was written in my old kitchen on the 9th floor of a tower block in early 2003. The tower block was great for late night writing, staring out the window at all the pissed up people staggering around outside the kebab shops and pubs.
"Swords & Words" was written in the same flat about six months later. It was daytime, which is unusual for me. It wasn't intentional to have the songs on the EP in the order I wrote them, it just happened that way.
Speaking of writing, how does writing come to you? I see you went to Leeds College of Music, (like me!) Did it help being there?
I didn't graduate from Leeds College of Music but I think the whole experience of going there was good for me as a person. I didn't really enjoy the course because it wasn't practical enough for me personally but I met some good people there.
With writing, sometimes a melody or a something a person says sparks something in me and I go home and work on it on guitar or piano.
Occasionally a song comes from out of nothing, like one I wrote recently called "Where It Started" but that's pretty rare.
The 'Telling Stories' EP had a very summery, lively feel to it- what bands or artists would you say influenced that mood?
I'm into loads of stuff people wouldn't guess by listening to my stuff but for the vibe, I guess The Beach Boys, The Marine Girls, The Pale Fountains - poppier stuff and loads of things like Bacharach, The Zombies and The Turtles. I wouldn't consider myself retro but I wanted to capture a bit of a vibe, not many people these days are doing decent pop music.
What can we expect from a Daniel Fell live show?
Well, I like to think strong songs and a good performance. I'm going to do some acoustic stuff that we never did in The Argonauts and maybe bring an electric for some of the more up- tempo tunes.
I might try to rope in some mates at some of the gigs for the odd song, just to break it up a bit.
Do you have any more recorded work coming?
I'm working on some stuff at the moment. I have about 30 songs so there is definitely an album waiting to happen. I'm looking at doing a split seven inch with someone, I'd really like to see my music in vinyl!
There are a few labels interested in putting some music out but they all want you to be who they want you to be. I'd like to get a decent manager on board before I sign anything anyway.
How does it feel to be on your own now? Does it make any aspect of writing or recording easier, or harder for that matter?
Well it'll certainly make bringing new songs into the set list a lot easier. Before, I had to wait for the other guys to get their heads round stuff. I do intend to get a band somewhere down the line, but I'm sure it'll all come together in time.
Ben (The Argonauts) drummer helped me cut some recordings the other week, but he's back in Leeds concentrating on his band Spitfire Charlie, who are more of a rock thing.
Is touring and playing alone a bit daunting or scary compared with a band?
Yeah, at the first gig on my own I was absolutely shitting myself. I guess I'll get better at it but when there's four of you up there and you have a bad gig, you can pass the buck. When it's just you, that's where the buck stops! I like the idea of having a band but if I get offered a gig and they can't make it, just jumping on the train and doing it on my own. The idea of it is very liberating.
Finally, I see that you had a song played on John Peel's show- what did that feel like?!
Well it was an honour. He played "Swords & Words" the week before he went on his final holiday. I grew up with him on the telly and radio and he introduced me to a lot of great stuff like Beulah and Cat Power. I liked the way he was never really patronising and the respect people obviously had for him never went to his head.
He's going to be irreplaceable.
Amen to that. Thanks to Daniel for the interview.
