The Brightwings
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Interview With Dan Holden, singer/guitarist, The
Brightwings By Chris 15/11/06
After hearing and receiving their fantastic debut
release Stay.
I knew the band has a winner on their hands. Good honest
enjoyable songs.
When you hear their stuff you will know what I meant
1. How did you get into music?
It was a combination of my parents and my friends. My dad
has a great record collection that I used to love to dig
through, and my mom sings and plays guitar.
2. Who were your idols growing up?
Being from the Boston Area I was really into Aerosmith, but
I was obsessed with Huey Lewis and maybe Wayne
Gretzky.
3. Who were your influences?
Our biggest influences are bands like The Eagles,
Tom Petty, Aerosmith, and a few 80’s bands that shall
remain nameless.
4. What have responses been like to the
ep?
“Stay” has gotten a good response, but it’s kind of
hard to gage when you release an album on your own. We just
tried to make the best album we could, and hopefully it
will open some doors for us.
5. What inspired you when recording the
ep?
We have always wanted to write an album that is
classic sounding and timeless, and I think all the old
albums we grew up listening to inspired us the most. People
have said the cover of the EP looks like “Hotel
California”, and I have to say I agree, but it was not
intentional.
6. Has the Internet helped with the bands
music?
The Internet has let a lot of people hear our music
that probably would not have heard it otherwise. It’s a
great way to get music out there.
7. Do you think tools like MySpace are
useful?
MySpace is great for bands and stalkers for the same
reasons.
8. Who would the band most like to tour
with?
We would love to open for a band like The Fray or
The Drive-by-truckers. Our goal is to play in front of as
many people as we can, and if they like bands similar
to us, it would be even better.
9. If you could work with any one who would
it be?
I am a huge Johnny Cash fan so I’m out of luck, but
next in line would be Tom Petty.
10. Have you had much press about the
ep?
We were doing a bunch of radio promotion the
first couple months, but mostly show promotion
lately.
11. What inspires the band when writing
music?
I think we all get inspired by everyday life, but
mostly by love.
12. What has been your favorite gig to
date?
We just opened for Nada Surf last week, which was
fun, but our old band went to China for a week. It was like
a dream…mostly from jet lag.
13. Has the band had much support from
radio?
We have been trying to push radio, but it is hard to
get on the air without a major label deal. Hopefully this
album will be heard by the right people that can get us on
the radio. That’s all you can hope for.
14. What is on your stereo at the
moment?
The Damnwells “Air Stereo”…buy
it…unbelievable.
15. What are some of your favorite musical
artists/bands?
Tom Petty, The Damnwells, Stephen Kellogg and the
sixers, Johnny Cash, Bob Schneider, Radiohead, Dr.
Dre…that enough?
16. Have you had much response from
labels?
We have had some label response here and there. I
think our band is still young, and will be heard.
17 Why cover Please Come To Boston for the
album?
It was just a spur of the moment thing. We were done
recording one day and played it while the tape was still
rolling. We added the harmonies later, and it came out
great.
18. What has been the career highlight so
far?
We opened for Nine Days back when they had a huge
hit. That was the biggest show, but going to China was the
highlight.
