Jaguar Demo
Added 2025-06-30 21:25:34 +0000 UTCHello friends! Here's an inside look on some writing I've been doing for the next solo album. It seems like I'm making a spooky ROCK album. I don't really plan these things, they just sort of happen and the universe is bending me towards BASS DRUMS GUITAR. I've been experimenting with a bunch of different tunings and really enjoying just shredding.
The mighty Sam Brown is on drums here, all recorded in the basement as God intended.
Some personal notes:
The last few months have been...a fuck. At the beginning of the Arcade Fire tour my Dad had a series of debiltating strokes. I haven't talked about this publicly much but i feel comfortable sharing it in here.
His cognitive abilities haven't been heavily affected but his physical health is extremely poor. He's lost the ability to read, which is a huge blow for someone who built his life around books. I've been trying to help him get it back but it's a slow road.
Touring while your parent is in dire medical straights is not something I can recommend. He insisted I finish out the AF tour and my solo run before visiting and it was all I could do not to fly back to the island.
I spent a week in Victoria in an old motel by the sea, visiting him in the hospital once a day. I hated being in Victoria TBH. It's become a strange, expensive similacrum of the city I started playing music in. I think it's not unique in that. I loved seeing my dad and I loved being by the ocean. Those were the good parts.
During that trip, everything that seemed unclear about the songs I've been writing, whatever this record is to become...all clicked into place. I'm excited to share this stuff with you all as it gets demoed and hammered into shape.
None of the bands i'm in are touring for the rest of the year, which honestly is kind of a blessing. I'm planning to do a few solo shows in and around the midwest but nothing really beyond that until 2026 (where there will be 100s of shows lol).
I'm sharing this with you all because I really love this space and I'm grateful for all the support you've given me. Could not do it without you. And I'm really looking forward to sharing some more of these songs haha.
Hope everyone is well, healthy, happy
XO DB
Comments
I keep coming back to this song, really hope it makes the cut for the new record ❤️
Joanna
2025-07-21 05:39:25 +0000 UTCSorry to hear about your dad. And so tough to be on the road at the time. Hope he makes some improvement x
Shiny Sarah
2025-07-20 13:33:24 +0000 UTCHas some Sonic Youth to it
Alain ladouceur
2025-07-19 01:00:55 +0000 UTCWould you believe i recorded it with the Lee Ranaldo signature series Jazzmaster hahaha
Daniel Boeckner
2025-07-03 17:51:13 +0000 UTCI'm so sorry about your mom. It's brutal, especially the cognitive/mental side of things. And thank you so much for the kind words. I have my own thoughts about the new AF album haha. I feel like the live shows really did bring those songs to life. Re: the HF show...I eneded writing a few things that would end up on Face Control backstage. That whole run was a blast. Excited to start digging into those albums on the video series. ❤️
Daniel Boeckner
2025-07-03 17:50:28 +0000 UTCSo sorry to hear about your dad. Hopefully he can regain his abiity to read; losing that would be incredibly frustrating.
Todd Bundy (Bishamon)
2025-07-02 16:57:57 +0000 UTCI'm really sorry to hear about your dad. My mom had a pretty bad stroke a couple of years ago, so I have some idea of how hard it is to watch someone you love go through something like that. "Heartbreaking" really is the only word that fits. On a more positive note, your new song sounds kick-ass! I’m always looking forward to your next release. In my opinion, you're one of the most underrated artists out there. I was lucky enough to see AF at Massey Hall, and I can’t tell you how excited I was to see you up on that stage. To be honest, I felt a little underwhelmed by the new album, but those songs have such a different energy when performed live. I really believe you have a lot to do with that. It would be a smart move for AF to draw more from your creativity on the next record. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen was that night at Massey Hall in May 2007. The Handsome Furs opened, and you and Alexei absolutely blew me away. I caught a few more of your shows after that, including SXSW and The Horseshoe, and each one left a lasting impression. Thank you for all the amazing music and for sharing your gift. You truly are a rockstar.
monchhichi
2025-07-01 15:39:26 +0000 UTCHealing vibes to your dad! Loving the Ranaldo-esque guitar on this. Looking forward to hearing more.
Danny Janvier
2025-07-01 13:07:07 +0000 UTCso sorry about your dad, it’s tough. tune slaps though! ❤️🐆
Joanna
2025-07-01 01:47:58 +0000 UTCBless you Dan. Advanced-level compartmentalization skills must have been needed to keep up performances with your Dad in such a state. I’m sure you Fucking Brought It, in both your shows and your love and support for your dear dad on the island. Hope to hear good news re: progress in his recovery. Of all of your musical attributes I’ve always felt your approach to guitar textures does not get the accolades it deserves. Super psyched that you’re making a gritty guitar record, it’s what I would have requested if I’d been asked.
Ben Broderick
2025-07-01 01:27:02 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing such a vulnerable part of your life Dan. I can relate to what you are going through with your dad. You are right, this is a safe space to share. You are loved by so many of us ❤️ I love this new sound btw
Nancy1978
2025-06-30 22:14:42 +0000 UTCSo sorry to hear about your dad Dan! Looking forward to listening to this later.
Fergal
2025-06-30 22:11:33 +0000 UTC
