BlackCar is, in essence, one man, Dan Glendining, with able help from brother Tom on drums when it comes to recording. The tracks that make up the Black Car debut LP were recorded by Dan with Paul Stacey (Oasis, Chris Robinson) during the summer of 2002 at Strangeways Studio in Clapham.
To avoid studio tan syndrome, Dan developed a daily schedule designed to ward off cabin fever: ..Walk to the studio, grab a cup of coffee, watch a film and then get on with it..
It was in this period that the Jim Jarmusch picture ..Dead Man.. became a favourite film and this, along with other Jarmusch films and the works of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, provided a visual backdrop to the recording sessions. Leonard Cohen became another key influence during the recording of the LP, particularly lyrically. By nature disinclined to preach through his words, Dan followed Cohen's example to concentrate on the ..big themes..; love and loss, hope and regret.
For a man who has music playing all day and who is happy to admit that ..the first thing I do is put on music, it helps me get through the day.. a successful Black Car LP would have to be able to affect people in the same way. A constant appraisal process from friends suggested that this was the case and the finished LP (now out of print) was snapped up by new independent, Altered States.
You can keep an eye on the following links to buy the debut album.
Stock comes and goes all the time:
NetSounds NormanRecords eBayUK Amazon.co.uk eil Gemm Rough Trade
New Album in the works, watch this space...
Check out some short films that Dan has produced: GodlessHorse
I keep coming back here to listen to the two demos. How's the new album going? If the rest of the album is of the same standard as those demos it will be one of the greatest albums ever...
thank YOU for the add. it's been amazing to hear your singing voice again after losing touch for so long. i (like loads of others on hear) was,still am, a massive headswim fan. i was just telling my missus how i even took the day off work years ago to watch you play in hmv or virgin in coventry. anyway thanks loads. it'd be superb to catch you live again
Hello Dan and Black Car :0) big fan of your voice and music... I discovered Headswim when I was about 17 years old. know I am 28 an still freaks out over how beautiful a record "Despite Yourself" is.... Looking forward to hear more from you in BlackCar.
Dan Glendining (Headswim/Blackcar) will be supporting Seattle's Shawn Smith at the Halfmoon, Putney on Thurs 8th May. Dan knows Shawn from when Headswim supported Brad in 1997. Should be an awesome night of music. And if you don't own Brad's 'Interiors' you should go buy it.
SHAWN SMITH UK TOUR:
5th May - The Voodoo Rooms, EDINBURGH - www.thevoodoorooms.com 6th May - Medicine Bar (Factory Club), BIRMINGHAM - www.theticketsellers.co.uk 7th May - National Centre for Early Music, YORK - www.ncem.co.uk 8th May - Halfmoon Putney, LONDON - www.halfmoon.co.uk
My brother & I are huge fans of Headswim & BlackCar To know that you're back is great news to us Keep up the genius work of yours and hope to hear the new LP soon!!!
Keep me posted on the releases! Was a fan of Headswim and Blackcar! Years back my music used to get comparisons to you guys so I thought I'd check out your work and have listened to you ever since! Cheers! Clifton
no problems, infact it's my pleasure, i've been following your music since headswim. Was wondering if you ever needed a support band or if you need gigs in Wales i'm in a band called the last republic. If you've got 5mins have a listen on www.myspace.com/thelastrepublicmusic, hopefully our first release will be going ahead in January. Keep up the good work jonnie x
I thought Headswim were fantastic.... Despite yourself is one of those albums where every track is marvelous.....Holy Ghost is my Fav off of that album by the way.......Luv the new stuff.... Take it easy....j
Thanks for the ad and the comment Dan,BlackCar sounding good mate, us 3 in Sea on Fire are all big fans of the mighty Headswim and we still love a blast of Flood, Safe Harvest is one of my favourite tunes- ever...peace Martyn.
