Getting to Know… Dean England | Interview 🎤

For the 132nd interview on The Musical Hype, we gain some great insight into the artistic craft of Wakefield singer/songwriter, Dean England.

“W“When I play live, I think people are shocked when I go from strumming to break out a solo. You don’t see a singer songwriter stop that often in their song to blast out a rock solo.” I would totally agree 🎙 Dean England.  That’s certainly something that makes the Wakefield, England distinct and quite intriguing on the latest interview in the Getting to Know… series here at The Musical Hype. More often than not, bands take the spotlight in the series, so, it’s always awesome to have a solo artist provide us with some insight. So, without any more unnecessary small talk, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Dean England: Interview #132, shall we!

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off? 

🎤 Well I think for me it’s my voice and blend of acoustic and electric guitar. So many singer songwriters only use and acoustic and that’s the extent of it. Because I was in a rock band, I can get both going and then paint over the top of them with some rocky vocals. When I play live, I think people are shocked when I go from strumming to break out a solo. You don’t see a singer songwriter stop that often in their song to blast out a rock solo.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did your solo career develop and what were some of the goals or the visions you had early on?

🎤 I found my sound a couple of years ago. I did it by trying everything I wanted, and the guitar was never the problem, but I wasn’t getting the vocal sound I wanted. After getting pissed off quite a lot eventually the too married, and the overall sound of a soulful blues style with husky vocals was born.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Yes actually, when I was a bit younger, I wanted to be the biggest star in the world. Now I want to write music that people connect with on an emotional level. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to be well known but the connection to music is more important to me now.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 The vocal harmonies of The Eagles still give me goosebumps! You can hear their influence when I blend my own harmonies. I still love Clapton and Hendrix too and I shows in my guitar style. Richard Ashcroft is very cool. If I could achieve half what he has I would be a happy hippie!

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

🎤 I have had it all happen to me. Broken strings mic stands falling over while singing driving to London to play for two people then playing again the next week for 400 people it’s all fun. But I once saw the bass player in my support act throw up on stage before I went on. Haha, I tried not to stand it.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 I like 🎵 “Reckless Storm.”  It’s got some great vocals and a good harmony mix too. It was about me protecting my Mrs. from some dark times and being there for her. That’s why it’s so special to me.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

🎤 I am quite spiritual to be honest. It’s helped me through some dark times and got me out the other end. You will find me sat meditating on a morning before the world is awake. 5 years ago, you would have found me going crazy and drinking whiskey like it was water while the world was asleep.

Closing things out, what are you currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

🎤 It’s all about promoting the new EP (💿 Feel, Think, Do) for now. I am busy and it’s great there’s live shows coming up and I have done about 9 interviews in the last 10 days!! Things are going really well and it’s great to see how many people still love the industry and the creative artist in it.

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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[📷: Dean England, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype; Icons made by https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik (Freepik)]