When you’ve travelled the world and absorbed cultural influences as readily as a sponge there’s no escaping the way it can shape your character. With that in mind, and with an exciting remaster of his hit track ‘Before’ thrusting himself in the public eye, we got to know the man that is Alan Dweck.
OTS: Favourite song right now?
AD: Right now hmmm – I recently revisited a song from Natasha Atlas after seeing her play with Trans Global Underground at the Jazz Café in Camden. It’s just a solo voice and is incredibly hauntingly beautiful: Adams Lullaby:
OTS: Most irritating song?
AD: Barbie Girl – Aqua
OTS: Proudest moment?
AD: Playing a gig with my old band 229, in Timisoara, Romania a few months after Nikolai Ceausescu forces had fired on Students and sparked a revolution that toppled the dictator from power. We played outside, in Opera Square, which still had bullet holes all over the buildings. The town’s Mayor and various students showed us where they had stood and where their friends had died. We were the first western band to play there and the mere fact that we were there was representative of the change that these people had successfully brought about. I am so proud that we went there at that time, despite having been previously warned off entering Romania by officials. Our being there represented a kind of success in what those people had fought for and what some had died for. They were amazing warm and generous people: I have never felt so humble.
OTS: Most embarrassing moment?
AD: David Gilmour telling me to Fuck off after I had told him how much I appreciated his Guitar playing and what an important influence his work had been on my life.
OTS: Life goal?
AD: Telling David Gilmour to Fuck off
OTS: A record you can’t live without and why?
AD: Miles Davis: Kind of Blue
Why? – Just listen to it. Amazing feel and expression, perfect mix of mood and the musicians skill.
OTS: Favourite movie and why?
AD: This one is also tricky. I was going to go with Citizen Kane for the great cinematography and powerful, timeless description of the media mogul corrupted by power. Then I thought of the wonderful film soundtracks by Hans Zimmer and how much I enjoyed Heath Ledgers Joker in Batman, I even though about nominating Disney’s The Jungle Book – because of the great music (Louis Prima, stole the show), the fun of it, the detail in the hand drawn animation (for its time-unbelievable) for how Its timeless and anyone can easily fall in love with it at and from any age. But then I remembered Dead Poets Society, a film that I just love whose tale of Society crushing a young performer with so much to give, resonates with anyone who has ever tried to follow an artistic passion amidst pressure from those around to conform.
OTS: Key to happiness?
AD: Tolerance, Friends and stories to share.
OTS: What is an artist that you were obsessed with growing up?
AD: David Gilmour
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