Interview – Dan Bettridge

Dan Bettridge, a musician who grew up in rural Wales, takes inspiration from Americana, Soul, Rock and Folk. He’s all set to treat us to his performance on the Bandstand Stage at the next Noz. Take a dive into his festival thoughts where we chat to him one-on-one about his experiences.

 

If you could programme a festival, who would be your dream headliner?

Right now it would either be The War On Drugs, Big Red Machine or Bon Iver.

 

Do you remember the first live gig you went to? Who was it?

The first gig I remember going to was Ralph McTell. My parents asked him to dedicate a song to me and he did! It was at St. Donats Castle on the south coast of Wales. A couple of years later I played my first ever gig in the same room, that was cool.

 

What three things couldn’t you live without when on tour?

Snacks, water, phone. I’m pretty low maintenance.

 

Beyonce has her Beyhive, Lady Gaga has her Little Monsters – if you had to come up with a name for your fans, what would you call ‘em?

BettBaes *vomit* (I had a much ruder one)

 

Here at Noz, we’ve got all things clean and green on the brain for 2020. Are you jumping on any eco-friendly bandwagons?

Always! I’ve run a small community called Save Our Seas UK for about a year now. It’s run via my website and Instagram. It’s a community and tool to educate and engage against plastic pollution. I was gearing up to do organised beach cleans this year but we’ve had to delay that. Clean and green for the win!

 

If you could travel in time to any era of history, what would it be and why?

Definitely early America, 1770s kind of time. I’d love to see what it was like but I have a feeling I wouldn’t hang around too long. If not then the Jurassic era, who doesn’t want to see a dinosaur?!

 

What single piece of advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the game?

Persistence and community are all. Make the work you want to make, do it to the best of your ability and stick to people you believe in and who believe in you. Don’t let fear of making mistakes hold you back, everyone makes them, just don’t make them twice.

 

What’s the most interesting heckle you’ve ever had?

Do you know what, I don’t think I’ve had any really weird ones. My music is pretty mellow so I think people don’t think it’s appropriate in between songs but I love a good heckle. HECKLE ME.

 

What’s your signature dish?

Tuna, noodle stir fry!

 

Tell us a joke.

Donald Trump