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| Hometown | Bournemouth, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Rock, Contemporary/Soft Rock |
| Band Members | DD Allen |
| Achievements |
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| Upcoming Shows | None |
| Contact Information: |
Spirited, anthemic, and immediately memorable — English singer-songwriter DD Allen’s undeniable voice and heartfelt lyrics have earned widespread recognition on both sides of the Atlantic.
In his new EP ‘Bad Love’, Allen delivers a visceral sound full...
Spirited, anthemic, and immediately memorable — English singer-songwriter DD Allen’s undeniable voice and heartfelt lyrics have earned widespread recognition on both sides of the Atlantic.
In his new EP ‘Bad Love’, Allen delivers a visceral sound full of energy and intent — a style he passionately refers to as “Heartland Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Born on the south coast, Allen emerged on the local scene in 2014 performing songs written with an equal dose of lyrical dexterity and Dylanesque metaphor.
He made an immediate impact and quickly found an unlikely ally in James Blunt who hailed the singer as “An exciting cross between Jake Bugg and Neil Young with a great deal of honesty in his lyrics”.
The media were also quick to highlight Allen’s songwriting virtues with Louder Than War quoting, “A songwriter in the mould of Dylan and Neil Young, DD Allen really is that good”.
Yet despite the early recognition, Allen quickly grew restless as a solo artist and he set about recruiting some of the regions finest musicians to go electric.
Teaming up with double-platinum credited engineer & producer Mike Spink (Jake Bugg, The 1975, The Gaslight Anthem) in 2015, Allen went on to release three singles from the coveted ‘Monnow Valley Sessions’.
His debut single ‘Just Like The Old Days’ (Oct 2016) arrived with all the energetic intent of a Killer’s stadium anthem and found immediate support from Indie Shuffle.
The sophomore release ‘Rebecca’s Curse’ (Jun 2017) premiered on Atwood Magazine, striving to carve out its own space and rise above the mainstream by emerging as a subtle and poignant statement to isolation and despair. Allen’s 3rd single, ‘Never Felt So Far From You’ (Feb 2018), saw a brief excursion into Americana and placement on Spotify’s official Fresh Finds playlist.
After Bestival founder, Rob da Bank saw the band live and plugged heavily in an interview for BBC Radio (“A very, very cool band”), a reputation as a formidable live act gained momentum. DD Allen went on to perform at several prominent festivals including Larmer Tree, Camp Bestival, Chagstock, Teddy Rocks and Electric Picnic in Ireland before playing a first major headline show at The Old Fire Station in Bournemouth.
In 2018, an ever-transient Allen returned to the studio to create a new
body of work, convinced he had yet to find his ‘signature sound’.
Teaming up with music producer Mark Tucker (Jethro Tull, PJ Harvey), Allen started crafting an exciting new repertoire inspired by the rawness of ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the relatability of heartland rock’s most excellent including Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.
Allen is predictably excited about his new direction and plans to follow up with a debut album: “I’m just a modern-day soul-searcher dancing on the contemporary side of rock and roll”, he claims. “I think I’ve found my true sound. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it rocks.”
Photos
Videos
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Interview with DD Allen by The Strange Brew
DD Allen is a critically acclaimed songwriter whose new recordings are inspired by the rawness of ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the relatability of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. In collaboration...
DD Allen is a critically acclaimed songwriter whose new recordings are inspired by the rawness of ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the relatability of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. In collaboration...
Gig Review-Lighthouse, Poole by Rock Regeration
It’s that time of the month once again when Matt Black and his team bring us Live & Unheard, the monthly local music showcase for up and coming artists in the local area. Tonight is the first...
It’s that time of the month once again when Matt Black and his team bring us Live & Unheard, the monthly local music showcase for up and coming artists in the local area. Tonight is the first...
Interview with DD Allen by The Strange Brew
DD Allen is a critically acclaimed songwriter whose new recordings are inspired by the rawness of ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the relatability of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. In collaboration with producer Mark Tucker (Jethro Tull, PJ Harvey), he’s crafting material that aim to become anthems. Jason Barnard speaks to DD to hear his story. Can you tell me about your new EP ‘Bad Love’? Bad Love is a new direction into something I call heartland rock and roll. It’s a sound I’ve been working towards with the band for a few months now, and it represents a sound I’m particularly excited about. Where and how did you record your latest material? We recorded the tracks at ARC Studios (Abbey Recording Company), an incredible new studio in Eynsham just outside of Oxford. Half of the mixing deck was owned by George Martin and the other half by Peter Gabriel so there’s an air of legacy in a modern set-up. The songs were pretty much there when we went into the studio, but our producer came up with a couple of exciting ideas. We ended up using our two-day budget recording the drums, bass, guitars and Hammond organ, which meant heading down to Mark Tucker’s Honiton studio to record the vocals afterwards. It worked well. We’ve always tried to create as much of a live vibe recording instruments as possible. Listeners are getting pretty smart nowadays, they can tell when a record’s been put together entirely from dubs. How did you link up with producer Mark Tucker? I first met Mark back in 2015 when he was recommended by Show of Hands Manager Vaughan Pearce. I’d been invited onto an academy program by WOMAD Festival co-founder Thomas Brooman, and Vaughan was one of the lecturers. The program was designed to help aspiring singer-songwriters learn the ropes and prepare for a career in music. I called Vaughan up a few months later and explained that I’d recently supported James Blunt, but now I’d put a band together and needed a producer to record a couple of demos. Vaughan recommended Mark Tucker, and that’s where it started. We recorded two tracks called ‘Show Me a Little Mercy’ and ‘Holborn Avenue’. We never released them, and I don’t know why because they’re special songs. When I composed the new material, the sound I had in my head had Mark’s production vibe all over it, so working with him again was a natural choice to make. How does your new material compare to your previous records? It’s a different vibe. A lot of my songs are written with a Dylanesque metaphor. You have to listen carefully to unlock the pleasures, to create your own representation of the people and situations I’m writing about. I’ll always be a storyteller, but the new music is deliberately more relatable. There’s a story there if you want to pay attention, but you’ve also got a great melody if you just want to rock along and party together. My leg stomps away when I play these songs, and that’s not really happened before. Stylistically, my previous releases had a kind of alternative Americana style, but the new music has more of an organic rock and roll feel. I took a lot of cues from Tom Petty and Springsteen’s E-street band era. When did you pick up your first guitar? How long have you been making music? I must have been about 7. I played all the way through until I finished school and then dabbled in a cover band for a short spell. My confidence took a knock when I was declined for a music course, so I focussed on making a career for myself, settled down in a relationship, and I didn’t really pick up my guitar again until I was 22 or 23. When/why did you start songwriting? In 2013 I was working at McLaren in Surrey, living on my own and relatively bored to be honest. I spent a lot of time in the evenings and on the weekends reading books, and watching the world go by in pubs! I’d started getting into Bob Dylan’s songwriting in a big way. Everything from the early stuff and especially through the Time Out of Mind period. I was messing around at work with a mate singing along to the radio, and he said, “have you ever thought about taking it up, you’ve got a great voice?”. I remember looking out of my flat over Woking train station on Valentine’s Day. I watched the people coming in an out for a couple of hours, and you could tell the ones that had something to celebrate from the ones who’d probably spend the evening on their own. Within a couple of hours I’d written my first song, ‘Just Another Long Day’, and at that moment everything changed. I woke up the next morning and stepped straight back into the shoes of a songwriter. It was the most surreal experience of my life, and I can’t really explain it. Everything around me seemed to look and sound different from that point on. Within a year I’d written over 40 songs. What artists, past and present do you admire? The big storytellers, Dylan, Neil Young, Springsteen, Paul Simon. I also love Noel Gallagher, he’s easily one of the best rock songwriters ever. Vintage Trouble from LA also impress me, their live show is insane. Of the present artists, I’m intrigued by Sam Fender. He’s definitely bringing a more classic sound back into indie, and I’m keen to see if more music goes this way. You’ve been put in the same bracket as Bob Dylan and Neil Young – do you see yourself in that lineage? They’ve both been massive influences on me, and naturally, that’s going to come through in my music. Realistically though, Bob Dylan and Neil Young represent way more than music. They’ve influenced popular culture, started trends and delivered astonishing work over decades. I’m very appreciative of the comparisons, but maybe a question to ask again when I’ve released a couple of albums. What generally inspires you to write? Anything true. Anything about a person, a story or an event that I can represent in a sincere way. It could come from one of my own experiences, or someone else’s as is the case in the new single ‘Bad Love’. What songs that you’ve been involved with are you most proud and why? My first band recordings, Show Me a Little Mercy and Holborn Avenue, and the new songs Bad Love and Just a Little More. I’d written Mercy and Holborn as solo acoustic songs and turning them into full band arrangements in a couple of days was an incredible achievement. It was also the first time I’d work with a producer of Mark Tucker’s calibre. You never forget the first time someone brings your music to life in this way. I’m also very proud of the new EP. This is the first time I’ve recorded songs that I had a specific vision in mind for and they came out sounding exactly as I expected. What are your plans for the rest of 2019 and 2020? Live shows – an album? I’ll be playing a few shows in the UK later on in the year to support the EP release. I’ll be releasing a follow up EP and then a debut album later in 2020. There are plans to get back to Holland where we’ve just supported Vintage Trouble. The Dutch fans are amazing, they love the music. And of course, America. We’ll be playing in the States next year. Finally, how do fans hear more about you? The best thing to do is register on the website www.ddallen.com where fans can grab a free download of Show me a Little Mercy. I’m also pretty active on Facebook @ddallenmusic.
DD Allen is a critically acclaimed songwriter whose new recordings are inspired by the rawness of ‘Exile on Main Street’ and the relatability of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. In collaboration with producer Mark Tucker (Jethro Tull, PJ Harvey), he’s crafting material that aim to become anthems. Jason Barnard speaks to DD to hear his story. Can you tell me about your new EP ‘Bad Love’? Bad Love is a new direction into something I call heartland rock and roll. It’s a sound I’ve been working towards with the band for a few months now, and it represents a sound I’m particularly excited about. Where and how did you record your latest material? We recorded the tracks at ARC Studios (Abbey Recording Company), an incredible new studio in Eynsham just outside of Oxford. Half of the mixing deck was owned by George Martin and the other half by Peter Gabriel so there’s an air of legacy in a modern set-up. The songs were pretty much there when we went into the studio, but our producer came up with a couple of exciting ideas. We ended up using our two-day budget recording the drums, bass, guitars and Hammond organ, which meant heading down to Mark Tucker’s Honiton studio to record the vocals afterwards. It worked well. We’ve always tried to create as much of a live vibe recording instruments as possible. Listeners are getting pretty smart nowadays, they can tell when a record’s been put together entirely from dubs. How did you link up with producer Mark Tucker? I first met Mark back in 2015 when he was recommended by Show of Hands Manager Vaughan Pearce. I’d been invited onto an academy program by WOMAD Festival co-founder Thomas Brooman, and Vaughan was one of the lecturers. The program was designed to help aspiring singer-songwriters learn the ropes and prepare for a career in music. I called Vaughan up a few months later and explained that I’d recently supported James Blunt, but now I’d put a band together and needed a producer to record a couple of demos. Vaughan recommended Mark Tucker, and that’s where it started. We recorded two tracks called ‘Show Me a Little Mercy’ and ‘Holborn Avenue’. We never released them, and I don’t know why because they’re special songs. When I composed the new material, the sound I had in my head had Mark’s production vibe all over it, so working with him again was a natural choice to make. How does your new material compare to your previous records? It’s a different vibe. A lot of my songs are written with a Dylanesque metaphor. You have to listen carefully to unlock the pleasures, to create your own representation of the people and situations I’m writing about. I’ll always be a storyteller, but the new music is deliberately more relatable. There’s a story there if you want to pay attention, but you’ve also got a great melody if you just want to rock along and party together. My leg stomps away when I play these songs, and that’s not really happened before. Stylistically, my previous releases had a kind of alternative Americana style, but the new music has more of an organic rock and roll feel. I took a lot of cues from Tom Petty and Springsteen’s E-street band era. When did you pick up your first guitar? How long have you been making music? I must have been about 7. I played all the way through until I finished school and then dabbled in a cover band for a short spell. My confidence took a knock when I was declined for a music course, so I focussed on making a career for myself, settled down in a relationship, and I didn’t really pick up my guitar again until I was 22 or 23. When/why did you start songwriting? In 2013 I was working at McLaren in Surrey, living on my own and relatively bored to be honest. I spent a lot of time in the evenings and on the weekends reading books, and watching the world go by in pubs! I’d started getting into Bob Dylan’s songwriting in a big way. Everything from the early stuff and especially through the Time Out of Mind period. I was messing around at work with a mate singing along to the radio, and he said, “have you ever thought about taking it up, you’ve got a great voice?”. I remember looking out of my flat over Woking train station on Valentine’s Day. I watched the people coming in an out for a couple of hours, and you could tell the ones that had something to celebrate from the ones who’d probably spend the evening on their own. Within a couple of hours I’d written my first song, ‘Just Another Long Day’, and at that moment everything changed. I woke up the next morning and stepped straight back into the shoes of a songwriter. It was the most surreal experience of my life, and I can’t really explain it. Everything around me seemed to look and sound different from that point on. Within a year I’d written over 40 songs. What artists, past and present do you admire? The big storytellers, Dylan, Neil Young, Springsteen, Paul Simon. I also love Noel Gallagher, he’s easily one of the best rock songwriters ever. Vintage Trouble from LA also impress me, their live show is insane. Of the present artists, I’m intrigued by Sam Fender. He’s definitely bringing a more classic sound back into indie, and I’m keen to see if more music goes this way. You’ve been put in the same bracket as Bob Dylan and Neil Young – do you see yourself in that lineage? They’ve both been massive influences on me, and naturally, that’s going to come through in my music. Realistically though, Bob Dylan and Neil Young represent way more than music. They’ve influenced popular culture, started trends and delivered astonishing work over decades. I’m very appreciative of the comparisons, but maybe a question to ask again when I’ve released a couple of albums. What generally inspires you to write? Anything true. Anything about a person, a story or an event that I can represent in a sincere way. It could come from one of my own experiences, or someone else’s as is the case in the new single ‘Bad Love’. What songs that you’ve been involved with are you most proud and why? My first band recordings, Show Me a Little Mercy and Holborn Avenue, and the new songs Bad Love and Just a Little More. I’d written Mercy and Holborn as solo acoustic songs and turning them into full band arrangements in a couple of days was an incredible achievement. It was also the first time I’d work with a producer of Mark Tucker’s calibre. You never forget the first time someone brings your music to life in this way. I’m also very proud of the new EP. This is the first time I’ve recorded songs that I had a specific vision in mind for and they came out sounding exactly as I expected. What are your plans for the rest of 2019 and 2020? Live shows – an album? I’ll be playing a few shows in the UK later on in the year to support the EP release. I’ll be releasing a follow up EP and then a debut album later in 2020. There are plans to get back to Holland where we’ve just supported Vintage Trouble. The Dutch fans are amazing, they love the music. And of course, America. We’ll be playing in the States next year. Finally, how do fans hear more about you? The best thing to do is register on the website www.ddallen.com where fans can grab a free download of Show me a Little Mercy. I’m also pretty active on Facebook @ddallenmusic.
Gig Review-Lighthouse, Poole by Rock Regeration
It’s that time of the month once again when Matt Black and his team bring us Live & Unheard, the monthly local music showcase for up and coming artists in the local area. Tonight is the first of these events that have completely sold out and the credit must go to the organisers for such a fantastic job in building up these monthly events to what it has grown into. Long may it continue!! One of the reasons that all of the tickets have shifted out so fast is the headliner DD Allen, an artist that since he started has earned himself a huge local following based on his great live performances. It’s been a while since his last local show which was at Grooves On The Green in July, so tonight the anticipation is high for another great performance. Before that we have two hand-picked artists to keep us entertained until the headliners arrive on stage. The first of these is Tobias In Flight aka local singer-songwriter Toby Fitton, who has played in a few local bands previously including Nion Abeo and Saturday Sun. Recently he has got together with Hangover Hill Studios to record his debut album “Mourning Comes”. Toby has always had a very alternative side to his music choosing not to follow the crowd, pushing boundaries and creating totally original styles. He arrives on stage stating that he won’t talk too much as it’s always a little awkward in what he says, clearly letting the music do the talking. The music is moody as it comes from a dark place, with fleeting moments of euphoria in the form of Toby’s fantastic vocal range which easily fills this space. The tunes include “Sad Blues” that has some seriously heavy moments, “Bleeding Me” which features some beautifully atmospheric guitar and possibly his finest moment “Whisper In A Black Room”; an epic tune that has so much to give, it just builds and builds from it’s morose start and sullen spine-tingling vocal delivery. It’s a tune that would not be out of place on a film soundtrack. While his style is certainly not for everyone’s pallet, it is great to see him making music that he is clearly passionate about. The next act could not be any more different from the first, Hengistbury is a Country duo made up of multi-instrumentalists Jessie Mary and Pete Briley. They arrive on stage with big smiles on their faces with a tune called “Tired Of Playing The Fiddle”. It combines Pete’s lovely Maple Glo Electric Rickenbacker guitar and Jessie on fiddle with their delightful vocal harmonies. I am sat alongside potentially the band’s biggest fans…Jessie’s parents drove up from Devon especially for the gig. Sadly they got the date wrong and came up last night too, but they dutifully drove back and returned for tonight’s show. It’s very difficult to find fault with anything they do as they deliver a host of great songs featuring a mix of different arrangements using keyboards, pedal steel and banjo. Highlights include their single “Shooter On The Mound” which has a great video filmed just a few hundred yards from here at Baiter Park. They end with their debut single “What Folks Don’t Know” which features the chuckle of the banjo and yet more jaw-dropping harmonies, where the duo combine so well. This earns them a huge round of positive applause as they leave the stage. Extra seating has been drafted in to cope with the demand for tickets and as headliners DD Allen take to the stage, they get a huge welcome from their adoring local following. Frontman Drew Allen had a very long journey to get to where he is now. After giving up a very desirable job working with Maclaren Motor Sport in Surrey; he started with the help of his ever-supportive Father (Phil), performing solo gigs at a host of venues around the South. From the start it was clear he had a talent and a passion for what he did; but from the first few gigs I saw, I remember him being so shy for a performer. Fast forward from there and you would not believe that the artist on stage tonight is the same chap, his confidence and talent has grown massively. He has surrounded himself with four great musicians who all compliment his style. Kicking off with “Mr. Nice” the whole band ooze infectious enthusiasm and they excitedly show everyone what a great unit they have become. After a string of singles, what the band is lacking is a debut album and tonight they are giving us a snapshot of some newer material that at some stage should feature on that record. The band’s sound is always evolving by bringing in a host of newer influences; with the keyboards being much more prominent and working together with the two guitars, giving a much bigger sound. The newer songs featured are a full band tune called “Double Up The Devil” and a great energetic solo effort called “Seattle Lights”, with just Drew on his Gibson SG electric guitar. These show a real development of musical creation, combined with some real honest song-writing. The classic Rock n’ Roll songwriters Dylan, Springsteen, Young and Jagger/Richards have all left their mark with their influences being very apparent. After an enthralling set, the band leaves the stage to a standing ovation from a well-entertained crowd. Set Lists DD Allen Mr Nice Just Like the Old Days Double Up the Devil Just a Little More Rebecca’s Curse Seattle Lights (Drew Solo) My Blue Valentine (Drew Solo) Blinded Love (Drew Solo) Bad Love American Dream Show Me a Little Mercy
It’s that time of the month once again when Matt Black and his team bring us Live & Unheard, the monthly local music showcase for up and coming artists in the local area. Tonight is the first of these events that have completely sold out and the credit must go to the organisers for such a fantastic job in building up these monthly events to what it has grown into. Long may it continue!! One of the reasons that all of the tickets have shifted out so fast is the headliner DD Allen, an artist that since he started has earned himself a huge local following based on his great live performances. It’s been a while since his last local show which was at Grooves On The Green in July, so tonight the anticipation is high for another great performance. Before that we have two hand-picked artists to keep us entertained until the headliners arrive on stage. The first of these is Tobias In Flight aka local singer-songwriter Toby Fitton, who has played in a few local bands previously including Nion Abeo and Saturday Sun. Recently he has got together with Hangover Hill Studios to record his debut album “Mourning Comes”. Toby has always had a very alternative side to his music choosing not to follow the crowd, pushing boundaries and creating totally original styles. He arrives on stage stating that he won’t talk too much as it’s always a little awkward in what he says, clearly letting the music do the talking. The music is moody as it comes from a dark place, with fleeting moments of euphoria in the form of Toby’s fantastic vocal range which easily fills this space. The tunes include “Sad Blues” that has some seriously heavy moments, “Bleeding Me” which features some beautifully atmospheric guitar and possibly his finest moment “Whisper In A Black Room”; an epic tune that has so much to give, it just builds and builds from it’s morose start and sullen spine-tingling vocal delivery. It’s a tune that would not be out of place on a film soundtrack. While his style is certainly not for everyone’s pallet, it is great to see him making music that he is clearly passionate about. The next act could not be any more different from the first, Hengistbury is a Country duo made up of multi-instrumentalists Jessie Mary and Pete Briley. They arrive on stage with big smiles on their faces with a tune called “Tired Of Playing The Fiddle”. It combines Pete’s lovely Maple Glo Electric Rickenbacker guitar and Jessie on fiddle with their delightful vocal harmonies. I am sat alongside potentially the band’s biggest fans…Jessie’s parents drove up from Devon especially for the gig. Sadly they got the date wrong and came up last night too, but they dutifully drove back and returned for tonight’s show. It’s very difficult to find fault with anything they do as they deliver a host of great songs featuring a mix of different arrangements using keyboards, pedal steel and banjo. Highlights include their single “Shooter On The Mound” which has a great video filmed just a few hundred yards from here at Baiter Park. They end with their debut single “What Folks Don’t Know” which features the chuckle of the banjo and yet more jaw-dropping harmonies, where the duo combine so well. This earns them a huge round of positive applause as they leave the stage. Extra seating has been drafted in to cope with the demand for tickets and as headliners DD Allen take to the stage, they get a huge welcome from their adoring local following. Frontman Drew Allen had a very long journey to get to where he is now. After giving up a very desirable job working with Maclaren Motor Sport in Surrey; he started with the help of his ever-supportive Father (Phil), performing solo gigs at a host of venues around the South. From the start it was clear he had a talent and a passion for what he did; but from the first few gigs I saw, I remember him being so shy for a performer. Fast forward from there and you would not believe that the artist on stage tonight is the same chap, his confidence and talent has grown massively. He has surrounded himself with four great musicians who all compliment his style. Kicking off with “Mr. Nice” the whole band ooze infectious enthusiasm and they excitedly show everyone what a great unit they have become. After a string of singles, what the band is lacking is a debut album and tonight they are giving us a snapshot of some newer material that at some stage should feature on that record. The band’s sound is always evolving by bringing in a host of newer influences; with the keyboards being much more prominent and working together with the two guitars, giving a much bigger sound. The newer songs featured are a full band tune called “Double Up The Devil” and a great energetic solo effort called “Seattle Lights”, with just Drew on his Gibson SG electric guitar. These show a real development of musical creation, combined with some real honest song-writing. The classic Rock n’ Roll songwriters Dylan, Springsteen, Young and Jagger/Richards have all left their mark with their influences being very apparent. After an enthralling set, the band leaves the stage to a standing ovation from a well-entertained crowd. Set Lists DD Allen Mr Nice Just Like the Old Days Double Up the Devil Just a Little More Rebecca’s Curse Seattle Lights (Drew Solo) My Blue Valentine (Drew Solo) Blinded Love (Drew Solo) Bad Love American Dream Show Me a Little Mercy
DD Allen Feature by Headbangers Lifestyle
DD Allen is a young English singer-songwriter and an independent artist who present himself as a storyteller through his music. At first it were the loud decibels of AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper that had a strong hold on him before the singer/guitarist got settled in the heritage of true British rock ‘n roll. Starting to perform live somewhere in 2014, he quickly made an impact in the local scene, along the way he got noticed by various media, including BBC Radio and things seemed to go uphill from there. After releasing various digital singles, DD Allen and his band recently released the debut EP `Bad Love’ on which DD Allen presents a warm, comforting and honest sound spiced up with some old school rock ‘n roll. Sometimes I hear Bob Dylan, there is some Neil Young, but I gotta say the high pitched, clear voice of DD Allen even reminds me of exceptional and talented Jeff Buckley [r.i.p.]. When I decided to ask the man some questions, it quickly became clear to me it that for DD Allen it is all about the energy of the music, purity, giving the listeners something to paint their own pictures and the search for his signature sound. What kind of artist are you? ,,I’m a singer-songwriter with rock and roll in my bones.’’ Who are the musicians that surround you and in what way do they contribute to your creative outlet? ,,I’m lucky to play with great musicians. Alex Reed is an incredible bass player, he’s been with me for about 4 years. Alex is to me what Tony Garnier is to Bob Dylan. He’s my right-hand man when it comes to the drive behind the melodies. Christian Evans played live on my first acoustic EP release show back in 2013. We’ve played loads of shows together and Chris has got a very distinctive sound. I mainly play rhythm now and Chris fills all the spaces I create for lead guitar. Rich Walker is the 4th drummer I’ve played with. Not counting Dan Doyle who depped in Ireland and Holland. They all have a distinctive style and that’s the great thing about the kind of music we play. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same every time. Will Sear is a magical keys player. He came out to Holland with us on the Vintage Trouble support shows. We’d been drinking at a bar and went into this incredible old piano shop in Haarlem. Will sat down at this £40,000 Steinway and started playing this solo to the tune of ,,Show Me A Little Mercy’’. It literally brought a tear to my eye. Mercy is our encore song and we start it off with Will’s intro now.’’ ,,I wanted to give fans something they could relate to lyrically, but also get a kick off the energy.’’-DD Allen You released your debut EP `Bad Love’ a couple of months ago. What was for you the biggest excitement of this release? ,,Hearing the two songs recorded, definitely. Every song I write goes through a journey so I’m hearing much more than just the song when the final version gets recorded. `Bad Love’ also represents a sound I’ve been searching out for a while. It’s exciting to have something I’m proud of now but can also take forward into the next chapter.’’ What are you offering music fans with this EP? ,,I wanted to give fans something they could relate to lyrically, but also get a kick off the energy. It’s the first time I’ve recorded songs that make your head start to nod, your legs start to move and your feet start to tap. I also wanted to make music that doesn’t lose anything when it’s played live.’’ What do you consider as your signature sound? ,,I call it heartland rock and roll. There’s a nod to America’s finest like early Springsteen, Neil Young and Tom Petty but there’s also a raw British rock and roll heartbeat like the Rolling Stones ‘Exile O Main Street’ period.’’ How important are lyrics for you and what are they representing? ,,The lyrics are the focus. My songs are stories. Sometimes they're instantly relatable like the single ,,Bad Love’’, other times the lyrics are metaphoric. I write so listeners can paint their own pictures, create their own image out of the people and situations I write about. It’s a bit like reading a book. The thrill is you have no visual reference so everything's in the imagination. But when you watch a film it’s all done for you. You don’t imagine, you just watch.’’ Being a young British musician you have really big shoes to fill, because there are so many legendary artists that already have put England on the map and paved the way? ,,Yeah, it’s incredible to think about how Britain has influenced genres, even created them. Bands like The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the list goes on and on. I don’t think any other nation has produced such a diverse range of rock musical styles. Not easy shoes to fill.’’ ,,I grew up obsessed with AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper.’’-DD Allen What are your strongest aces you think you can impress the music scene with? ,,It’s the ultimate rock crossover music. A sound fit for modern times. The elements might have been done but nobody’s ever put it all together like this. Our fans are into every type of rock and alternative music. Some even like folk and Americana. It works in standing venues, seated venues and festivals. The age range is nuts as well. The youngest fan I know of is 7-years old. The oldest probably 70.’’ In what way do you feel connected with the rock and rock ‘n’ roll community? ,,As I said at the start: “It’s in your bones” — to quote Keith Richards. I grew up obsessed with AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper. I formed a rock covers band in 2013 to try and get paid, yet bizarrely, a year later I’d discovered Dylan and I was writing and performing as a solo acoustic artist. I snagged a support slot for James Blunt early on and played to 3,500 people at the BIC. It was an amazing show but I had a lot of energy trying to get out and ultimately I wanted to create a bigger sound. Shortly after I put a new band together I went to see AC/DC at the O2. The show just blew me away. Took me right back to my youth. I was never gonna play that hard but I knew I wanted to bring the same kind of energy into my music. That was a very special show. Now I’m back to my roots. Playing with driving bass and drum, a load of guitar licks, Hammond organ and keys. It feels like I’ve come full circle. To which artist do you feel most related? ,,It’s difficult because there are so many artists that influence me in different ways. Vibe wise though, I’d probably say the rockier side of Ryan Adams.’’ ,,Social media is pretty important but I admit I’m crap at it.’’-DD Allen What do you want to achieve as an artist and how far would you go for success? ,,I want to prove that storytelling is great, guitar bands are cool, tour the world and make a living off of music. How far would I go for success? Wherever it needs and whatever it takes.’’ How important is social media and the Internet for the band and how do you use it? ,,I keep my website up to date and I make sure the lyrics are uploaded for every song. I’m planning to write articles on the meaning behind some of the songs. I’m always getting people second-guessing what some of the lyrics mean. They’re dying to know. Social media is pretty important but I admit I’m crap at it. The connection with the fans doesn’t seem as real to me as the interaction you get playing live. Nothing beats personal interaction, but I know social is important so I’m working at it.’’ What can people expect from a DD Allen live show? ,,Well, we’re not a mosh band and I don’t crowd surf. But the set’s pretty up-tempo and there’s a lot of energy. We recently tried a seated show as an experiment and sold-out. It was really cool. I put a couple of the more atmospheric songs in the set and the audience loved it. We got a 5-minute standing ovation.’’ How do you get your live shows, especially outside the UK? ,,It’s tough because we don’t have a booking agent. I keep an eye on bands I think we’re a fit for and if they are hitting the UK I’ll pitch the promoter or their manager. The shows in the Netherlands supporting Vintage Trouble happened a little differently. I’d previously pitched the agent to support Counting Crows but the tour got cancelled. A few months later I get a call asking if I can get the band to Holland with 10-days notice. Things like this are important. If you prove you’ll move mountains to make something happen you’ll never drop off the radar.’’
DD Allen is a young English singer-songwriter and an independent artist who present himself as a storyteller through his music. At first it were the loud decibels of AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper that had a strong hold on him before the singer/guitarist got settled in the heritage of true British rock ‘n roll. Starting to perform live somewhere in 2014, he quickly made an impact in the local scene, along the way he got noticed by various media, including BBC Radio and things seemed to go uphill from there. After releasing various digital singles, DD Allen and his band recently released the debut EP `Bad Love’ on which DD Allen presents a warm, comforting and honest sound spiced up with some old school rock ‘n roll. Sometimes I hear Bob Dylan, there is some Neil Young, but I gotta say the high pitched, clear voice of DD Allen even reminds me of exceptional and talented Jeff Buckley [r.i.p.]. When I decided to ask the man some questions, it quickly became clear to me it that for DD Allen it is all about the energy of the music, purity, giving the listeners something to paint their own pictures and the search for his signature sound. What kind of artist are you? ,,I’m a singer-songwriter with rock and roll in my bones.’’ Who are the musicians that surround you and in what way do they contribute to your creative outlet? ,,I’m lucky to play with great musicians. Alex Reed is an incredible bass player, he’s been with me for about 4 years. Alex is to me what Tony Garnier is to Bob Dylan. He’s my right-hand man when it comes to the drive behind the melodies. Christian Evans played live on my first acoustic EP release show back in 2013. We’ve played loads of shows together and Chris has got a very distinctive sound. I mainly play rhythm now and Chris fills all the spaces I create for lead guitar. Rich Walker is the 4th drummer I’ve played with. Not counting Dan Doyle who depped in Ireland and Holland. They all have a distinctive style and that’s the great thing about the kind of music we play. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same every time. Will Sear is a magical keys player. He came out to Holland with us on the Vintage Trouble support shows. We’d been drinking at a bar and went into this incredible old piano shop in Haarlem. Will sat down at this £40,000 Steinway and started playing this solo to the tune of ,,Show Me A Little Mercy’’. It literally brought a tear to my eye. Mercy is our encore song and we start it off with Will’s intro now.’’ ,,I wanted to give fans something they could relate to lyrically, but also get a kick off the energy.’’-DD Allen You released your debut EP `Bad Love’ a couple of months ago. What was for you the biggest excitement of this release? ,,Hearing the two songs recorded, definitely. Every song I write goes through a journey so I’m hearing much more than just the song when the final version gets recorded. `Bad Love’ also represents a sound I’ve been searching out for a while. It’s exciting to have something I’m proud of now but can also take forward into the next chapter.’’ What are you offering music fans with this EP? ,,I wanted to give fans something they could relate to lyrically, but also get a kick off the energy. It’s the first time I’ve recorded songs that make your head start to nod, your legs start to move and your feet start to tap. I also wanted to make music that doesn’t lose anything when it’s played live.’’ What do you consider as your signature sound? ,,I call it heartland rock and roll. There’s a nod to America’s finest like early Springsteen, Neil Young and Tom Petty but there’s also a raw British rock and roll heartbeat like the Rolling Stones ‘Exile O Main Street’ period.’’ How important are lyrics for you and what are they representing? ,,The lyrics are the focus. My songs are stories. Sometimes they're instantly relatable like the single ,,Bad Love’’, other times the lyrics are metaphoric. I write so listeners can paint their own pictures, create their own image out of the people and situations I write about. It’s a bit like reading a book. The thrill is you have no visual reference so everything's in the imagination. But when you watch a film it’s all done for you. You don’t imagine, you just watch.’’ Being a young British musician you have really big shoes to fill, because there are so many legendary artists that already have put England on the map and paved the way? ,,Yeah, it’s incredible to think about how Britain has influenced genres, even created them. Bands like The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the list goes on and on. I don’t think any other nation has produced such a diverse range of rock musical styles. Not easy shoes to fill.’’ ,,I grew up obsessed with AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper.’’-DD Allen What are your strongest aces you think you can impress the music scene with? ,,It’s the ultimate rock crossover music. A sound fit for modern times. The elements might have been done but nobody’s ever put it all together like this. Our fans are into every type of rock and alternative music. Some even like folk and Americana. It works in standing venues, seated venues and festivals. The age range is nuts as well. The youngest fan I know of is 7-years old. The oldest probably 70.’’ In what way do you feel connected with the rock and rock ‘n’ roll community? ,,As I said at the start: “It’s in your bones” — to quote Keith Richards. I grew up obsessed with AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Alice Cooper. I formed a rock covers band in 2013 to try and get paid, yet bizarrely, a year later I’d discovered Dylan and I was writing and performing as a solo acoustic artist. I snagged a support slot for James Blunt early on and played to 3,500 people at the BIC. It was an amazing show but I had a lot of energy trying to get out and ultimately I wanted to create a bigger sound. Shortly after I put a new band together I went to see AC/DC at the O2. The show just blew me away. Took me right back to my youth. I was never gonna play that hard but I knew I wanted to bring the same kind of energy into my music. That was a very special show. Now I’m back to my roots. Playing with driving bass and drum, a load of guitar licks, Hammond organ and keys. It feels like I’ve come full circle. To which artist do you feel most related? ,,It’s difficult because there are so many artists that influence me in different ways. Vibe wise though, I’d probably say the rockier side of Ryan Adams.’’ ,,Social media is pretty important but I admit I’m crap at it.’’-DD Allen What do you want to achieve as an artist and how far would you go for success? ,,I want to prove that storytelling is great, guitar bands are cool, tour the world and make a living off of music. How far would I go for success? Wherever it needs and whatever it takes.’’ How important is social media and the Internet for the band and how do you use it? ,,I keep my website up to date and I make sure the lyrics are uploaded for every song. I’m planning to write articles on the meaning behind some of the songs. I’m always getting people second-guessing what some of the lyrics mean. They’re dying to know. Social media is pretty important but I admit I’m crap at it. The connection with the fans doesn’t seem as real to me as the interaction you get playing live. Nothing beats personal interaction, but I know social is important so I’m working at it.’’ What can people expect from a DD Allen live show? ,,Well, we’re not a mosh band and I don’t crowd surf. But the set’s pretty up-tempo and there’s a lot of energy. We recently tried a seated show as an experiment and sold-out. It was really cool. I put a couple of the more atmospheric songs in the set and the audience loved it. We got a 5-minute standing ovation.’’ How do you get your live shows, especially outside the UK? ,,It’s tough because we don’t have a booking agent. I keep an eye on bands I think we’re a fit for and if they are hitting the UK I’ll pitch the promoter or their manager. The shows in the Netherlands supporting Vintage Trouble happened a little differently. I’d previously pitched the agent to support Counting Crows but the tour got cancelled. A few months later I get a call asking if I can get the band to Holland with 10-days notice. Things like this are important. If you prove you’ll move mountains to make something happen you’ll never drop off the radar.’’
Technical Requirements
1 x Shure Beta87 (provided)
2 x Shure SM58 or equivalent
6 x Shure SM57 or equivalent
3 x DI
1 x Shure PG52 or equivalent
4 x Shure PG56 or equivalent
2 x Sure PG81 or equivalent
Monitors:
Minimum: Three monitors on separate sends
Preferred: Five monitors on separate sends
Stage Plot Image
Technical Requirements
1 x Shure Beta87 (provided)
2 x Shure SM58 or equivalent
6 x Shure SM57 or equivalent
3 x DI
1 x Shure PG52 or equivalent
4 x Shure PG56 or equivalent
2 x Sure PG81 or equivalent
Monitors:
Minimum: Three monitors on separate sends
Preferred: Five monitors on separate sends
Stage Plot Image
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