Brett Dennen has been quietly going about his business in the US and a groundswell of interest - including supporting Elvis Costello and having fans including John Mayer, Jason Mraz and our own Missy Higgins - has seen him named by Rolling Stone as one of their 'artists to watch' in 2008. With his first-ever Australian tour imminent we found out more about the North Californian singer/songwriter.
yourGigs (YG): What has been your reaction to the recent wave of praise and attention coming your way and do you find any pressure being labelled things such as 'an artist to watch'?
Brett Dennen (BD): I have been working really hard for many years, and all that work is really starting to pay off, so I don't feel any pressure...
YG: Do you get a sense that all the hard work and touring you did initially has paid off and helped get you to where you are today?
BD: Definitely. I just feel good knowing that I am getting recognized for all my hard work. I also have a really smart team working with me to get my music out there. I think you have to surround yourself with good people, and then you have to be willing to get out there and play some 200-plus shows a year.
YG: How has the experience of touring with prominent artists such as Elvis Costello influenced you and what are some of the best experiences you have had on the road?
BD: It's always great to tour with someone like that. It is a higher profile. Your name gets mingled with other names. Also, it's always good to get in front of a different crowd, especially one that is so mainstream.
YG: Can you tell us how your collaboration with our own Missy Higgins came about, and what has it been like touring and recording with her?
BD: We did a tour together earlier this year, and I totally fell for her voice. I was making my record and I knew I wanted her on it. She came in one day and we spent a few hours tracking her vocal on a couple of my songs, and I am incredibly happy with the way it came out.
YG: What are your expectations for your upcoming Australian tour - has Missy filled you with much knowledge about Australia and our music scene?
BD: I expect to see a lot of beautiful places and I expect to meet a lot of nice people. Missy and her mom both told me a lot of cool places to see. They both told me I would fit right in.
YG: Did you ever expect your music would take you across the globe and do you enjoy the challenge of playing to new and unknown audiences?
BD: I knew it would come eventually. Now that it is here, I feel like I am totally ready for the challenge.
YG: You are also involved in many charitable activities including Love Speaks and The Mosaic Project - can you tell us about how you got involved in them, and what do you hope to achieve through them?
BD: I have always thought that music needs to serve a higher purpose. I got involved with Mosaic in college, and Love Speaks is something I started recently. Music has the power to inspire people to make change in the world. I want to be a musician that stands for social justice. I want to use my music to enable people to be a part of something bigger.
YG: Do you consider music still has a relevant place in the world in terms of social and political consciousness and providing a voice of change as well as entertainment?
BD: I do. People tend to put their attention on entertainment instead of the injustices in the world. So if I take the spotlight that is put on me, and redirect it towards something that I think we all should really be focusing, then I have the power to be part of the change.
Brett Dennen's So Much More is out now on Downtown through Inertia. See Brett playing across the country supporting Pete Murray from September 5 and playing his own shows in Brisbane (Sep 9), Sydney (Sep 15, 16) and Melbourne (Sep 17). Find out more below for full details of gigs.
Andy Ryan
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