Becoming a father has changed how singer-songwriter Dan Mangan approached his latest album.
In his album, Club Meds, he wanted to address issues affecting the world.
It made him think about what kind of world his child would grow up in.
“It talks a lot about sedation,” he said.
People have the ability to be “hyper connected to people” around them in the world or to “put their head in the sand,” said Mangan. He discusses how the pendulum swings between apathy and over-connecting with people. And a balance between the two is an ideal road people should travel in life.
Mangan spent a long time writing the lyrics and melodies. He got together with the band in the studio for 10 days in Vancouver and then spent another six weeks in him home studio adding to the tracks.
“It’s a very meticulous record,” he said. “It was really a labour of love. I put my head in the sand in terms of this record for three months.”
Mangan performs at the Port Theatre Wednesday (Nov. 18) at 7:30 p.m. The performance is a more intimate experience as Mangan will be performing without most of the Blacksmith band, only Gord Grdina is joining him on stage.
“Lyrics become more audible,” said Mangan about the duo performance.
“It’s a little bit of a contemplative experience,” he said.
He said during concerts where the band was absent, it allowed him to feel as if there was “no wall between the audience and the performer.”
Tickets are $29.50 and available by calling 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com