Uplifting Dan Deacon to be a festival hightlight

Every year, the Arts Festival hosts dance theatre and exhibitions that either debut in Galway or are exclusive to here.

It’s also great when the Festival’s music bill can boast an exclusive musical act. That’s the case with Dan Deacon’s gigs in the Róisín Dubh on Wednesday and Thursday, July 20 and 21. These are the only Irish dates that the American artist, who takes electronic and pop music to heady levels, has pencilled in this year.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune from New York, Dan is still reeling from the mass shootings in Orlando.

“I feel terrible,” he says. “It’s insane to live a country where these things happen so frequently.”

He feels the the media must take some of the blame for America’s seemingly immovable gun laws.

“CNN, NBC and Fox News see a spike in ratings when mass shootings happen,” he says. “And because of that, ad space goes up. So of course they’re going to report on it in the most grotesque ways, it gets people to keep watching. And, ultimately, gets it to keep happening.

“That’s the sickest, saddest cycle. Not only is it this horrific culture of hate, but it’s also this sick cycle of capitalism that profits off of it, and wants to see more white supremacy, and white rage, gun violence, and for guns to exist. Because, ultimately, it’s good for business.”

Outraged and exasperated by the murders in Orlando, Dan talks at length about problems in the US.

For a total change in tone, it’s time to ask about his Galway gigs. He moves subjects with grace.

“Next time, close with the heavy question!” he says good-naturedly.

Earlier in his career, Dan played at crowd level, among the audience. He’ll be on stage in the Róisín though, where he’ll be presenting a new audio-visual show.

“I’ve been performing on stage for a couple of years now – the show has changed quite a bit. If I was doing the same thing I did 10 years ago, it would be odd,” he says. “I feel like I connect with the audience much more. Visual communication is really important, so much of my set is communicating with the audience, gauging how the show is going based on their reactions.”

At previous Dan Deacon gigs, individual audience members have been asked to lead the crowd in a dance competition. Is participation still encouraged at his gigs?

“Definitely,” he says. “I would say more so. It’s still very much not-normal!”

Dan is planning something special for his only two Irish shows this year.

“I haven’t done a club show in Ireland in a while,” he says. “This was supposed to be a tour of Spain, and then these shows came up. I love the Róisín Dubh, and it’s a long time since I’ve been to Galway. I’m changing up the lighting and video for this tour, so we’ll see what I’ll bring. A lot of that depends on my buddies in Ryanair, and how much they’ll let me put on the airplane before I buy them a new car!”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.