01Profile
A Dan Stock Photo
Dan Stock
Musician — Milton Keynes
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, effortless, minimal.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Gaz Coombes at my local venue, Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes, a few years ago. It’s rare to see one of the best British songwriters play in a small venue in MK, so it was pretty special!
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’d open up for The Who and Jimi Hendrix at the show where Jimi set his guitar on fire, so that I could go on before him and set mine alight first.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The clothes and British-ness of Mods and the attitude of punk.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
George Harrison. I love him because he was the underdog, he wrote so many genius tunes and was behind a lot of The Beatles’ directions, but always seemed cool with being in the background. 'All Things Must Pass' is my favourite post-Beatles album. Plus, he was always full of great one-liners.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. There’s just such a great vibe about the whole place. You can tell everyone who works there does it purely because they love music and giving people a good time. There’s definitely something in the air up there, too.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Stephen Fretwell. I don’t really know much about him or what happened to him, but I love his record Magpie and especially the song 'Rose'.
Dan Stock has shared the striking video to 'Take It Too Far', the title track from his debut EP release for Heavenly Recordings.
Hailing from Milton Keynes Dan's sound and approach has been compared to Stiff Records era Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio' by The Ramones. I used to play this over and over as a little kid while lying in bed dreaming of being on stage. The lyrics are in the chorus are, coincidentally, "Do you remember lying in bed with the covers pulled up over your head".
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Cornerstone', by Arctic Monkeys. I was and still am a big fan of theirs. There’s not many who combine poetic lyrics with a knack for a chorus like Alex Turner does. As a teenager, I loved their heavy, abrasiveness but these days, in my old age, I prefer their more tender, songy side.
One record you would keep forever?
'Darkness On The Edge Of Town', by Bruce Springsteen. For me, he’s the greatest. I could have picked any of his first 6 albums. I can't directly relate to every word, I’ve never been on a “boardwalk” or driven a “69 Chevy”, I've never even been to America. But somehow despite the culture-barrier, his songs tell me more about life than anybody else’s do.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Impossible to pick but this one sticks in my mind by The Divine Comedy. I love a good lyric about love:
'Well, it’s no big deal, I’m not complaining Sometimes things don’t need explaining She’s my angel, that’s the main thing And that is never changing'
The Divine Comedy - 'Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World'
A song you wished you had written?
Too many! I’ve had a lot of mini-meltdowns thinking all the great songs are written! I love the song 'Up The Junction' by Squeeze. It’s super catchy and the storytelling is brilliant.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Out Of Time' by Chris Farlowe. It was originally by The Stones but Chris Farlowe’s version is my favourite. I’ve blasted it in the car roughly a trillion times.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Join The Dots' by Roots Manuva. I was hogging the Aux at an after-party once and played this, Esme from The Orielles actually said "I wouldn’t have thought you’d like this", it surprises people that I’m into all sorts beyond just the sort of guitar music that I’m doing at the moment.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Can Call Me Al' by Paul Simon. Stick that on and I’ll be throwing some serious shapes, however, it’s not the sort of song you hear on dancefloors in 2018. Which is unfortunate or fortunate depending on who you ask.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'There She Goes' by The La’s. Shut your eyes and drift away with that one and suddenly everything’s alright.
Any new bands your are into at the moment?
'In The Air' by DMA's
'Told You Too Much' by Public Access TV
'Don't Have Me Back' by Childhood
'Shame' by Young Fathers
03Interview
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, effortless, minimal.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Gaz Coombes at my local venue, Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes, a few years ago. It’s rare to see one of the best British songwriters play in a small venue in MK, so it was pretty special!
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’d open up for The Who and Jimi Hendrix at the show where Jimi set his guitar on fire, so that I could go on before him and set mine alight first.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The clothes and British-ness of Mods and the attitude of punk.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
George Harrison. I love him because he was the underdog, he wrote so many genius tunes and was behind a lot of The Beatles’ directions, but always seemed cool with being in the background. 'All Things Must Pass' is my favourite post-Beatles album. Plus, he was always full of great one-liners.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. There’s just such a great vibe about the whole place. You can tell everyone who works there does it purely because they love music and giving people a good time. There’s definitely something in the air up there, too.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Stephen Fretwell. I don’t really know much about him or what happened to him, but I love his record Magpie and especially the song 'Rose'.
Dan Stock has shared the striking video to 'Take It Too Far', the title track from his debut EP release for Heavenly Recordings.
Hailing from Milton Keynes Dan's sound and approach has been compared to Stiff Records era Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio' by The Ramones. I used to play this over and over as a little kid while lying in bed dreaming of being on stage. The lyrics are in the chorus are, coincidentally, "Do you remember lying in bed with the covers pulled up over your head".
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Cornerstone', by Arctic Monkeys. I was and still am a big fan of theirs. There’s not many who combine poetic lyrics with a knack for a chorus like Alex Turner does. As a teenager, I loved their heavy, abrasiveness but these days, in my old age, I prefer their more tender, songy side.
One record you would keep forever?
'Darkness On The Edge Of Town', by Bruce Springsteen. For me, he’s the greatest. I could have picked any of his first 6 albums. I can't directly relate to every word, I’ve never been on a “boardwalk” or driven a “69 Chevy”, I've never even been to America. But somehow despite the culture-barrier, his songs tell me more about life than anybody else’s do.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Impossible to pick but this one sticks in my mind by The Divine Comedy. I love a good lyric about love:
'Well, it’s no big deal, I’m not complaining Sometimes things don’t need explaining She’s my angel, that’s the main thing And that is never changing'
The Divine Comedy - 'Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World'
A song you wished you had written?
Too many! I’ve had a lot of mini-meltdowns thinking all the great songs are written! I love the song 'Up The Junction' by Squeeze. It’s super catchy and the storytelling is brilliant.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Out Of Time' by Chris Farlowe. It was originally by The Stones but Chris Farlowe’s version is my favourite. I’ve blasted it in the car roughly a trillion times.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Join The Dots' by Roots Manuva. I was hogging the Aux at an after-party once and played this, Esme from The Orielles actually said "I wouldn’t have thought you’d like this", it surprises people that I’m into all sorts beyond just the sort of guitar music that I’m doing at the moment.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Can Call Me Al' by Paul Simon. Stick that on and I’ll be throwing some serious shapes, however, it’s not the sort of song you hear on dancefloors in 2018. Which is unfortunate or fortunate depending on who you ask.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'There She Goes' by The La’s. Shut your eyes and drift away with that one and suddenly everything’s alright.
Any new bands your are into at the moment?
'In The Air' by DMA's
'Told You Too Much' by Public Access TV
'Don't Have Me Back' by Childhood
'Shame' by Young Fathers