Californian Brett Dennen, as I’m sure you’re pondering, is little known in Australia, for now. Rising on the wave of critical success of his first full length effort, 2006 So Much More and with fans in John Mayer and Michael Franti, Dennen remains resolutely grounded and detached from the hoopla surrounding his growing recognition.
When I ask about this and the fact that people are covering his alt/pop/folk single Ain’t No Reason on YouTube, he’s a little uncomfortable with the rite of passage. “It’s pretty weird,” he concedes. “I’m flattered for sure, but it is a strange reality to see other people covering you.” It’s a reality he is likely to continue encountering. And a reality which has most recently seen him on a co-headlining tour in May throughout the States with Mason Jennings, supported by Missy Higgins. Follow this up with Coachella, an upcoming US tour with John Mayer, and prior to this, being named one of Rolling Stone’s ten artists to watch in 2008, it is fair to say it has been a whirlwind 12 months.
I query how Missy was doing over in the States, with a relatively high profile back home. “I like Missy a lot, she is picking up steam in the US,” he replies. I then ask how the festival set differs to date. “When you play a festival, you have the opportunity to play in front of tons of people who might never see or here you. It’s a great way to reach new people.”
So with all the big names bandying about, the festivals and the relentless touring, I pose this question: What can we expect next from Dennen? In the fashion, which I’ve come to learn is Dennen’s unfazed style; his response is straight-up. “You can expect me to continue to do what I do.” With the album released two years ago and still gaining momentum, Dennen is in the midst of making a second record. However he’s comfortable with continuing to play his older material. “I think the trick is to write stuff that you enjoy playing for years to come.” As what is certainly cathartic for other artists, Dennen is somewhat brazen about. “If you don’t want to sing something every night, don’t put it on your album.”
Brave indeed, but with his music governed by a strong undercurrent of reason and a voice to his social conscience, there is no need for him to be otherwise. Not only is Dennen playing the likes of Coachella, but earlier this year he also played at the environmental Green Apple Festival in San Francisco. Then there is his clip for Ain’t No Reason and the littering of support for humanitarian and environmental organisations strewn across his website. “It’s always been my path. If I don’t use my microphone to spread a good message, then what’s the use of having a microphone?”
After exchanging with Dennen, and seeing Missy’s name next to his, you get a feel for what he’s about. I figure that he has a lot in common with some our more vocal homegrown talent. My hunch seems to be validated as I joke about Missy getting Dennen out here for some shows. “I would love to open for Missy in Australia, or JBT [John Butler Trio] or Xavier [Rudd], but who knows?”
Dennen will hit our shores in August, supporting Peter Murray on his national tour. So Much More is out now on Downtown, through Inertia.
