01Profile
A Daniel Briskin Photo
Daniel Briskin
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
I’m Daniel Briskin and I’m from North West London.
What do you do?
I try to do as much as I can to be honest. I’m primarily working on my own project, but I love writing and producing on other people’s work.
Describe your style in three words?
Eclectic, big and bold.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I’ve got to say Frank Ocean’s set at Lovebox just because I’d been waiting so long to see him. When he played Forrest Gump it felt like this euphoric prideful moment for so many people in the crowd.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Musically I think I’ve adopted parts of both the lo-fi and shoegaze movements. There’s a sort of freedom in the attitude of both that you can feel cutting through and I just love to expand on those concepts in what I’m doing.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I think I’d like to talk to Hans Zimmer about what it’s like scoring huge movies from Inception to James Bond. I’d love to do something like that in the future, creating soundscapes and music for film and television. The work he did on True Romance all stemming from the 'You’re So Cool (Main Title)' is so amazing and I just love how the rest of the soundtrack borrows it as a motif.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I haven’t really played any shows but am so excited to get out and do so. I love the Jazz Cafe and would absolutely love to play there at some point, it just seems like it would be such a nice intimate atmosphere to play like most I’ve been to.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think I’d have to say, Imogen Heap. The way she blends music production with technology is amazing to see, and It’s evident that forward-thinking minds like hers are pushing the industry into the next phase of creation. You look at her music aside from the technology like Hide and Seek and it’s quite clear to see that she pushes as many boundaries as she can.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
I have a really strong memory of my mum driving me and my brother home from school with 'Leave Right Now' by Will Young on in the background. I remember I couldn’t get it out of my head for ages and would flick through the cd’s in my mum's car until I found the one with Will Young on.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m still 19, but I’d have to say that my teenage years so far have consisted of change and having to adapt to new surroundings. I think the lyrics of 'The Difference' by Flume and Toro y Moi perfectly encapsulate this feeling, as well as the fact that the music is quite frantic and fast which in my head mirrors the act of growing up.
One record you would keep forever?
I have a vinyl of Nirvana’s 'MTV Unplugged In New York' performance that’s going to stay with me for a long time. Their cover of David Bowie’s 'The Man Who Sold The World' is probably one of the best covers of a song I’ve ever heard.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’m jealous of the rain that falls upon your skin it's closer than my hands have been”
I think that the writing on 'Jealous' by Labrinth is absolutely amazing and the immediate emotional aspect of the above lyrics is so beautiful. The lyrical content of the whole song really stuck with me for a long time after my first listen.
A song you wished you had written?
I think that 'Life On Mars' by David Bowie is possibly one of my favourite songs ever and I wish I’d been able to write it.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Charlie Heat version of 'Facts' by Kanye has such a huge beat and a ridiculous amount of energy that just gets me so hyped.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I try to find inspiration in most places, and someone who I’ve been inspired by a lot recently is Rob Zombie. Whether it’s his films or his music I’ve been kind of obsessed. 'Soul-Crusher' is my favourite White Zombie song, so I’d probably say that.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Electric Feel' by MGMT. I love MGMT so much. Their songs have so much nostalgia packed into them and 'Electric Feel' is that song for me where it feels so good that I just wanna get out into a club and hear it on a huge PA system.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I love to get home and listen to something really chill to end the night. I’d say 'Cosmic Dancer' by T.Rex to end a heavy night with soft and calming vibes.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Less of a conventional band but I’ve been listening to Sad Night Dynamite a lot. The stuff they’ve just put out is so great and I can’t wait to hear more.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
I’m Daniel Briskin and I’m from North West London.
What do you do?
I try to do as much as I can to be honest. I’m primarily working on my own project, but I love writing and producing on other people’s work.
Describe your style in three words?
Eclectic, big and bold.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I’ve got to say Frank Ocean’s set at Lovebox just because I’d been waiting so long to see him. When he played Forrest Gump it felt like this euphoric prideful moment for so many people in the crowd.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Musically I think I’ve adopted parts of both the lo-fi and shoegaze movements. There’s a sort of freedom in the attitude of both that you can feel cutting through and I just love to expand on those concepts in what I’m doing.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I think I’d like to talk to Hans Zimmer about what it’s like scoring huge movies from Inception to James Bond. I’d love to do something like that in the future, creating soundscapes and music for film and television. The work he did on True Romance all stemming from the 'You’re So Cool (Main Title)' is so amazing and I just love how the rest of the soundtrack borrows it as a motif.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I haven’t really played any shows but am so excited to get out and do so. I love the Jazz Cafe and would absolutely love to play there at some point, it just seems like it would be such a nice intimate atmosphere to play like most I’ve been to.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think I’d have to say, Imogen Heap. The way she blends music production with technology is amazing to see, and It’s evident that forward-thinking minds like hers are pushing the industry into the next phase of creation. You look at her music aside from the technology like Hide and Seek and it’s quite clear to see that she pushes as many boundaries as she can.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
I have a really strong memory of my mum driving me and my brother home from school with 'Leave Right Now' by Will Young on in the background. I remember I couldn’t get it out of my head for ages and would flick through the cd’s in my mum's car until I found the one with Will Young on.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m still 19, but I’d have to say that my teenage years so far have consisted of change and having to adapt to new surroundings. I think the lyrics of 'The Difference' by Flume and Toro y Moi perfectly encapsulate this feeling, as well as the fact that the music is quite frantic and fast which in my head mirrors the act of growing up.
One record you would keep forever?
I have a vinyl of Nirvana’s 'MTV Unplugged In New York' performance that’s going to stay with me for a long time. Their cover of David Bowie’s 'The Man Who Sold The World' is probably one of the best covers of a song I’ve ever heard.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I’m jealous of the rain that falls upon your skin it's closer than my hands have been”
I think that the writing on 'Jealous' by Labrinth is absolutely amazing and the immediate emotional aspect of the above lyrics is so beautiful. The lyrical content of the whole song really stuck with me for a long time after my first listen.
A song you wished you had written?
I think that 'Life On Mars' by David Bowie is possibly one of my favourite songs ever and I wish I’d been able to write it.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Charlie Heat version of 'Facts' by Kanye has such a huge beat and a ridiculous amount of energy that just gets me so hyped.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I try to find inspiration in most places, and someone who I’ve been inspired by a lot recently is Rob Zombie. Whether it’s his films or his music I’ve been kind of obsessed. 'Soul-Crusher' is my favourite White Zombie song, so I’d probably say that.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Electric Feel' by MGMT. I love MGMT so much. Their songs have so much nostalgia packed into them and 'Electric Feel' is that song for me where it feels so good that I just wanna get out into a club and hear it on a huge PA system.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I love to get home and listen to something really chill to end the night. I’d say 'Cosmic Dancer' by T.Rex to end a heavy night with soft and calming vibes.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Less of a conventional band but I’ve been listening to Sad Night Dynamite a lot. The stuff they’ve just put out is so great and I can’t wait to hear more.