We chatted to the American singer-songwriter about heading back out on tour…
Hi Dean, how does it feel to be heading back out on tour?
I’m always excited to head out on the road, again. Having said that, in these crazy times, I have a little trepidation about leaving home, mostly out of concern for whether they’re going to let me back into my own country.
What can audiences expect from your show?
I’m a pretty lousy juggler, so, instead of circus tricks, I’ll be spending my time on stage telling stories and singing songs from throughout my five decade career. I always play a mix of familiar radio hits, fan favourites and sprinkle in a dash of some of my newer stuff. But after recording nine studio albums, and having written hundreds of songs, the hardest part is deciding which songs to leave out.
How does it feel to have released your second compilation album?
At this point I confess to being a little surprised at how much material I’ve accumulated, over the years. Having said that, I’ve got no plans to stop writing songs or recording albums – or touring, for that matter. It’s just what I do. Folks sometimes ask me when I plan to retire; and the question always puzzles me – why would I quit doing something I love?
What do you love the most about performing for audiences?
If the sound-system is working and I can hear myself properly, and the temperature is ‘just right’ (like Goldilocks) and, most importantly, if I can see the expressions on people’s faces while I sing my songs – sense their reactions in real time – that intimate, instantaneous connection is electric. There’s nothing quite like it.
What would you say has been a particular career highlight?
Getting to meet the great Nigel Blackwell, songwriter and lead singer for the legendary punk band, Half Man, Half Biscuit. They had a best-selling EP one summer that included a track titled, ‘The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman’. I was puzzled, and a bit worried, when a friend first told me about it, but as soon as I listened to the song, I couldn’t stop laughing. Nigel’s a great songwriter and Half Man, Half Biscuit are a ‘kicking’ band. And despite my initial concerns, it turns out to be a terrific song. The DNA tests proved to be inconclusive.
To find out more about the tour visit: https://deanfriedman.com/