Whilst Dan is no longer a member of Taxiride, he is

currently nutting out a solo career. He has been performing solo and with

guests (and his ubiquitous drummer Spid!) at the Palace in Camberwell - 

his pre-Taxiride stomping ground - as well as a few other places.

  I have been fortunate enough to see a few of his gigs, 

and they've been brilliant, as one would expect.

From what I have heard of his new music, when he releases a solo album,

it's going to be a fantastic piece of work.

For old time's sake, let's look at where Dan came from.

He began playing the piano at four years old

and the various instruments he can play currently stands at

guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards and drums. He is a self-confessed

"Jack of all trades...master of none" - though

I think that's just a little bit more humility than is necessary!

His parents, Sue and Charlie, are part of a band called

the McQuades.

Before Taxiride, he was busking around Melbourne -

with his own songs and those of various others,

including Jeff Buckley. It was in Camberwell Market

that he was "discovered" by Tim Wild...and he

got over his initial disgruntlement at the lack of

monetary donation from Mr Wild, and joined the

band that took him far away from his old

busking haunts.

His musical talents don't appear to have sapped him

anywhere else - anyone who names

Salinger, Kerouac and Yates as his favourite authors

is certainly on the ball and has distinctly good taste!

He also gets props from me for "Voodoo Doll Sin",

which appears on the "Get Set" single

and makes me cry. Odd to be congratulating someone for that,

but it's all about the emotion! He apparently wrote the song

at 15 years old (I'm thinking "prodigy" here!), which is just remarkable.

On the re-release of the "Everywhere You Go" single, another

of his songs - "A Stone In The Ocean" can be found, and like

"VDS" (probably not the best acronym, but, anyway!), it is

just outstanding. 

I'd also like to thank Dan for his compliments regarding

my poetry. I have given Dan a good many of my poems, and

he had some wonderful things to say about them, which

meant the world to me. Being that I want to get into

the music industry - to have one of your songwriting

idols compliment you in such a way - it's

a huge honour. Thank you, Dan. And all the best for your

new ventures. We'll be waiting! ;-)