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ACL 2009 preview: Brett Dennen
Brett Dennen’s vibrant narratives rarely end at personal revelation. Instead, the northern California native, whose music has appeared in Hilton ad campaigns (“Blessed”) and on “Grey’s Anatomy” (“Ain’t Gonna Lose You”), heightens messages with sociopolitical commentary. “Social issues are something I think about a lot, so it’s important to write about them,” he says. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be telling the whole truth about who I am.” (Dennen performs at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, on the Austin Ventures stage.)
American-Statesman: Your song ‘Heaven’ covers lots of spiritual ground.
Brett Dennen: I wrote that song on an airplane about a year and a half ago. Most lyrics I write on an airplane. I wanted to write about religion, but I thought that was too big and didn’t know what to say. So, I thought about writing a song about heaven, which is where I got the idea for the chorus. Even then, I thought heaven was too massive to write about. I thought it’d be better to write a song about the idea or belief in heaven.
That’s still a pretty broad topic.
Well, as I was writing, it became more about life and what you make of it. You know, the idea of people working for an afterlife, or thinking what they do here doesn’t matter because they’re going to an afterlife. I thought that’s kind of silly. Ultimately, it’s better to create your end result here on Earth instead of banking on the idea of some eternal afterlife.
How did you end up rerecording it as a duet with Natalie (Merchant)?
We asked her if she wanted to do it, and she said yes. I tell you what, man, that was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’ve been a big fan of hers for a long time. I mean, 10,000 Maniacs was one of the first bands I ever geeked out on.
Did working with her give you a personal sense of achievement?
Well, obviously, it’s Natalie Merchant. She’s a world-class superstar with one of the most recognizable voices on the planet. To hear her sing my lyrics was a very surreal experience. It made me feel like a real, genuine songwriter, not just a singer-songwriter. I still get chills thinking about it.
Like Natalie, you write about social issues. How important is it for you - and other songwriters - to address these topics?
Well, I would never tell anyone how to write a song. A song should be your most personal secrets and thoughts and wishes and desires and hopes. That should be spilled out into a song, and every writer’s gonna say different things. You should write about anything, as long as it’s from the heart and true.
Your core messages seem very hopeful. Is that a fair assessment?
Yeah, it’s a fair statement, but it’s something that I’ve had to think about and work at. It didn’t really just come naturally. There are songs from the past that aren’t as hopeful. Maybe they’re a little more angry or unapologetic, like a protest song.
How did you make the transition, then?
I’ve started thinking long term. When I look back and think about how I want to be remembered, I want to be somebody who has a lot of positivity surrounding my name. I want to build people up, lift people up and inspire people.
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By TXn
September 28, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
I would give money to shave this guy’s head!!!