Interview with Danny Olocklin

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I actually hated music initially. My parents signed me up to piano lessons at nine, which I despised. Out of rebellion, I started learning blues, rock and pop... anything other than classical just to annoy my teacher. This backfired because all it did was highlight my young talent and make my parents ensure I finish all my piano grades. When I realized that there is nothing to stop me from playing what I wanted to play, I began to love it.

• If I had not gotten into music, I would either still be working in my previous investment research job (which I left over a year ago) or I would’ve started my own business of some kind.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• I forget what I like to do these days. I wake up, I make music and I go to sleep.

• I quit my job over a year ago to try and “make it”, however, time is running out and I only have a few more months before I run out of money. I know I’d regret not giving this the best shot I had when I’m older so I’m putting every breath into this.

• I post content daily; I’m pushing hard with promotion and I’m trying to produce music all at the same time so I’m working all day Monday to Sunday.

How long have you been making music?

• Professionally, just over a year, but I’ve been making music for ten years in total.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

• I’m based out of Dublin. The stories in my songs happen here, so it naturally influences it.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

• My live show is going to be special. I want it to be a laugh combined with good music and fun.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• It would be cool to play any big festival, especially alongside any high energy act like DNCE or The Hives.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• Don’t get disheartened at how long it takes to become competent. It takes a while, but along the way, you’ll have made music to be listened to for decades to come.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• It’s my next release: Story of a Houseparty. Earlier this year, I invited a load of friends to mine for a houseparty to celebrate the release of my previous song. It was a lot of fun and there were a few funny stories out of it, so I wrote a song about it.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

• I take a nap. Stuff just comes to me then.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

• I don’t take a meaningful or romanticism approach to songwriting. I just want to make good music. I will write about waiting for Deliveroo to deliver my food if I must. If it sounds good, I don’t care after that.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• I need to get a record deal in the next 6 months, otherwise I’ll be broke. So I’m making that happen.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• Instagram: @DannyOlocklin (https://www.instagram.com/dannyolocklin/)

• YouTube: @Danny Olocklin (https://www.youtube.com/@DannyOlocklin)