At The Mike Stand With Dan Donnelly

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Belfast boy Dan Donnelly is no stranger to our New York readers, having carved out a successful solo career on the east coast for almost a decade.

The singer/songwriter, having first come to the attention of the music press in Europe as vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with Irish indie act, Watercress, Dan moved on once the band broke up in the late 1990s.

Out on his own, Dan released 2005's 'Bootleg' and 'Yearning A Living' two years later, as well as an acclaimed live album ('Live in NYC') last year.

Currently fronting his own touring and recording outfit, Sonovagun, Dan, a favorite at many a British festival, has played Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and The Big Session on several occasions.

He's now based in the UK, having supported Duran Duran, Ian Dury, The Darkness, The Levellers and Air, as a solo artist, and as part of Sonovagun, Joy Zipper and The Invisible Swords Men.

A phenomenal songwriting talent, look out for more Donnellyesque information at www.sonovagun.com.

What would you like your own tribute act to be called?
Hmm, Don Dannelly might be a good one!

When's the last time you laughed out loud?
I laugh out loud all the time. The world reduces me to tears of laughter on a very regular basis.

What act would you like to have seen perform live?
I'd love to have seen the Beatles and The Doors.

What team do you support?
Manchester United, I know everyone will boo, but when I was young in Northern Ireland, George Best was a hero and Norman Whiteside was on the team.

What period in history would you most like to have visited?
I wouldn't have minded kicking about ancient Rome for a bit and attending a few feasts and orgies.

What song would you most like to have written?
'The Witchita Lineman', with 'Pancho and Lefty' a close second.

Who or what, would make you leave a room?
Racism, or a really bad smell.

What decade rules (and why)?
I totally loved the 90s!! I had a blast, was in a great band and playing all over the world and was carefree as you like. The music was fantastic too, Smashing Pumpkins, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr plus the whole rave and ecstasy scene was great fun!!

What cover version do you most enjoy performing?
At the minute I love doing MGMT's 'Time to Pretend'.

What movie role would you like to have played?
I think every kid wants to be Luke Skywalker but as an adult? I dunno, maybe The Sundance Kid.

Have you ever been told you looked like somebody?
Yeah!! I get Rick Astley and Conan O'Brien all the time!

What's the first album you remember buying?
Buddy Holly's 'Greatest Hits'.

Who's your favorite Beatle?
McCartney by a long shot with Harrison second, then John, then Ringo.

What's your favorite Christmas song?
'The Little Drummer Boy'.

Who's the most rock and roll person who ever lived?
GG Allin, Johnny Thunders and Keith Moon.

What artist/song/genre do you secretly enjoy listening to?
I have a secret soft spot for Lily Allen.

Who would you most like to meet/have met?
Would love to meet Bowie or Macca or Neil Young, I'd like to have met Jesus to see what all the fuss is about.

What book can you read again and again?
'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' or (the work of) Bukowski or Henry Miller.

What's the greatest album ever recorded?
Abbey Road.

What artists would you most like to have played with in the band of your dreams?
John Bonham on Drums, Malcom Young on rhythm guitar, McCartney on Bass, Neil Young on Lead Guitar and Randy Newman on keys.

What do few people know about you?
Very little. I have a big mouth and no censorship.

What sitcom character can you most identify with?
Has to be Larry David from 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', sometimes I feel just like him!!

What movie can you watch over and over again?
'Dumb and Dumber'.

Who's your favorite cartoon character?
Peter Griffin from 'Family Guy'.

What's the greatest place you've visited?
As Johnny Cash says: "I've Been Everywhere Man", but New York was so good I moved there. I love NY.

What's mankind's most wonderful invention?
Music.

What's mankind's most irritating invention?
The parking ticket.

Who's the funniest person who ever lived?
Billy Connolly.

Who's your favorite namesake?
Sir Dan Donnelly, the first heavyweight champion boxer.