We Speak Music

Mark Duggan Shares New Single ‘Dance Myself to You’

Published

4 months ago

January 31, 2024

Irish singer-songwriter Mark Duggan is known for his clever lyricism and combining of acoustic and electronic elements which can reach out and take people somewhere else for the length of the song. He returns with his latest alternative rock tune ‘Dance Myself to You’.

The idea behind the song titled ‘Dance Myself to You’ was to write a melody that would gradually expand from a single solo instrument to a thick sound at the finish. Along with Mark Duggan’s vocals, the single is a longing, yearning one with an interesting production that includes a drum machine, bass, guitar, drum kit, synths, and other elements.

The ballad is evocative of over-the-top ‘80s ballads as it swells from a whisper to an explosion of sound. Beginning with just an electric guitar and voice, the song gradually builds in bass, percussion, ambient pads, and other guitars. An electric guitar solo that was improvised in one take and a choir of voices drive the song’s last minute. Each verse of the song begins with one of three straightforward pictures of loneliness from the lyrics. The characters’ thoughts are drawn to this missing person by these visions, and no matter how hard they try, they are unable to bring them back, no matter what steps they take.

The lyrics had to be written first in order to determine how long the build-up should take, and they were written rather fast once Mark Duggan had the three pictures that opened each of the verses. The reason the outro lyrics were added later is that he chose to complete the build-up with a lengthy fade-out, leaving a significant amount of empty space in the song.

The song’s base of sound fills in the gaps between any rhythmic elements with a variety of synth and guitar parts that use a lot of delays and reverbs. The guitar solo was recorded on the first take with the intention of sounding a little raw and guttural, while the drums were selected to be fairly conventionally ‘80s. He chose to attempt some choral harmonies near the end of the song and added some harmonies to the chorus while performing the vocals.

Mark Duggan chose to write the outro lyrics over them and make sure every instrument plays considerably busier than they did earlier in the song because he liked how they pushed the drama of the ending over the top. After his old bass broke during the demos, he had to acquire a new one, thus the bass was the last part of the song he added. The song’s mix was designed to highlight the contrast between the number of instruments playing at the beginning and end of the song, as well as the intensity of those performances, which provide the song’s dramatic conclusion.

On the song, Mark Duggan says, “An almighty release of a ballad, to me it is an acceptance of a situation and it emotions by letting them explode outward.”

We Speak Electronic

ASPEN Talks New Song, Working with JWild, Performing with Lil Jon, and More

Published

14 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Meikhel Philogene

With his single, “Sweetest Mistake,” out now, we took some time to hear more from ASPEN. Read below to learn more about ASPEN, the story behind his latest single, and what’s to come.

Hi ASPEN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

It is just my first name. I have an interesting name, so I thought that it fit well as an artist name as well.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, but I live in Miami now.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I went to Ultra a few years back, and I knew that I loved electronic music, but I didn’t realize how much I really loved it. Once I went there, I just had an overwhelming urge to pursue music myself.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Absolutely, my upbringing has been instrumental in shaping both who I am and my sound. Being in Miami, a melting pot of cultures and musical styles, exposed me to a variety of sounds. This diverse musical environment instilled in me a love for blending different genres and influences, which is evident in tracks like ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ The emotional depth and eclectic beats of my music are reflections of the vibrance.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

My sound can best be described as an emotive journey through soundscapes that blend electronic beats with soulful melodies. It’s about capturing both the highs and lows of the human experience, packaged within compelling rhythms that invite you to both reflect and dance. With each track, like ‘Sweetest Mistake,’ I aim to create a unique auditory experience that resonates on a personal level with listeners, drawing on elements from downtempo to more upbeat electronic vibes.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Outside of music, I enjoy exploring the vibrant art scene here in Miami, from street art to gallery exhibitions. These visual experiences often inspire the textures and layers of my music. I also stay active with lifting, which not only keeps me physically fit, but also mentally sharp and creatively fluid. Engaging with different environments and activities helps me to maintain a fresh perspective and brings new ideas into my music production.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Martin Garrix, Gryffin, and Tiesto.

What are some of your future music career goals?

Music for me has been about following my passion. So, as I progress in my career, I want to share my passion with others. For me, I just want my crowd to be engaged, and I want to make the lives of the people that listen to my music just a little bit better.

Now onto your release, ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ What inspired this song?

I was listening to ‘High on Life’ by Martin Garrix and just came to the conclusion that I really want to make a song like that. I love the message and the euphoric feeling that the song creates, and I wanted to recreate that.

What is ‘Sweetest Mistake’ about in your own words?

‘Sweetest Mistake’ is a captivating blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies. Featuring the compelling contributions of JWild, this track explores the bittersweet journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in unexpected turns.

How did the collaboration with JWild come about?

We have some mutual friends, and I just DMed him on Instagram because I listened to some of his stuff and really liked his voice.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Sweetest Mistake?’

Go find love and put yourself out there. You will get hurt in life, but all of those experiences build you up as a person and make you into who you are.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I played for a crowd of almost 10,000 people in a basketball arena with Lil Jon. Everyone really enjoyed the set, and I was just so happy that I could share the stuff that I was working on with all these other people.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

You have to be patient. In this industry you have to pay your dues, and you have to be patient in terms of your growth. Also, in life as a whole, you have to be patient in terms of your career growth. There is no such thing as instant success.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am going to continue grinding and releasing music. I have been working really hard, and I have a ton of projects that I am waiting to roll out. I’m excited for everyone to hear them. I also have a headline show on June 15th at Hyde in the SLS in South Beach.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/aspenofc
https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.dj
https://soundcloud.com/aspenrg

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!