Recently, the upbeat island-Americana quartet Dangermuffin released their sixth studio effort, Heritage, at the tail end of March. The eight-track album still falls in line with Dangermuffin’s unique brand of roots music, though Heritage marks a decidedly more intentional shift from the group, with a thematic focus on primordial human knowledge and its basis for spirituality. You can check out Live For Live Music’s interview with vocalist and guitarist Dan Lotti about Dangermuffin’s latest album below. You can also get more information about the group, as well as check out their tour dates and snag more information about Heritage on their website here.
Dangermuffin Premieres New Single “Ancient Family” And Announces Tour Dates
1) Dangermuffin’s new record Heritage has been released in the past few months. How has the response from your fans been?
The response to Heritage has been significant. We are feeling the momentum, seeing some new faces, and I guess just kind of growing the family!
2) Have there been any particularly memorable moments when you’ve performed the new tracks live and sensed that the lyrics deeply resonated with an audience member?
There have been several of those moments. Some folks actually teared up when talking to me after the last show of our most recent run, and I just think that’s beautiful. I’m personally seeking to heal from the music, which I often get out of the experience of playing live. It’s an interesting dynamic, because it’s healing to me when I see that some folks are vibin’. In turn, they pick up on that, and it comes full circle. It’s incredible!
3) On Heritage, there are quite a few references to the land and sea and humanity’s connection with them. How have you artistically become better at conveying these themes or messages to your audience both live and in the studio?
These universal themes of the ocean are inherently Dangermuffin. This is the lens that we view the world from—on the shore. How have we become better at conveying this message? I would tend to think that each experience as we travel and expand brings about new ideas and new understandings and a more well-rounded perspective. As a result, the music grows out of that journey while the themes and archetypes remain the same. The ocean, the sun, the forest, the mother—these symbols are as universal as they come. We, as humans, all have a relationship with them, so the concepts are endlessly useful.
4) You guys will be headed to the west coast in a few weeks. Have you performed on that side of the country before?
Yes, we have! Really a handful of times, and we truly love it. It’s a really great fit musically to be out in northern California. I once had a psychic tell me “California will be big for you.” [Laughs]
5) Since the whole band is from a beach town [Charleston, SC], I assume you’re all looking forward to the summer. Do you all have any summertime rituals you like to do as a band or individually?
Frisbee sessions are important for the bands—at rest stops, on the beach. It’s a great warmer-weather ritual.