DAN HODGES: I’m Seeing Noise
The ever-prolific, never-stagnant Ōtautahi artist Dan Hodges added another notch to his already thoroughly-notched belt last month with “I’m Seeing Noise”, the first single released under his own name. His first solo outing sees the S.E.I.S.M.I.C frontman take his raw, DIY vibe in a direction different to paths he’s travelled before.
Dan at home in Lyttelton - photo by Sam Elliott
“It’s different in the process, different in the mindset, different in the vibe.” says Dan. “It’s stuff I started writing entirely on my own in my room. I’d record each track by itself.”
I’m Seeing Noise is built pretty simply; drums, bass, guitar, vocals. Dan plays everything but drums, which are contributed by Jono Blackie (DOCJOC, Jam Henderson). Each of the four parts occupy their own distinctive place within the track. The syncopated bassline skirts around blocky indie-influenced guitar above a drumbeat that’s also syncopated, but differently so. They’re a deliberately uncertain combination. It’s unsettled. Dan’s vocal arrives on the track last.
“Hard to tell what is up or down.
Am I awake or still asleep?
Feel both eyes moving left to right.
It’s all the same, it’s all I see.”
It conjures thoughts of walking down busy streets lined with people you don’t know, of the blood pumping behind your eyes as you navigate a high-pressure moment. I felt the stress of making pressing decisions after an unplanned afternoon nap. It prompted the memory of a recurring dream I had as a boy where I was running away from something through my childhood home, but each door I opened only led to another, even longer, hallway. No amount of running shook the pursuer.
I’m Seeing Noise seems to be something even Dan has taken a while to be sure of.
“It’s the thing I’ve worked on for the longest before releasing. I started it about two years ago. I wanted to make music that’s a true expression of myself, to really be patient and only think about it in an artistic way. Not think about “How could I gig?” or “How could I please this person?” It was about making the most Dan Hodges-sounding thing.”
This is the first of what may end up being a longer release for Dan. But, he’s in no rush to do it.
“I wanted to give myself the time. In that process, they [the songs] will end up sounding like they’re meant to. They’ll eventually sound like their own thing.”
Photo by Sam Elliott
I’ve always deeply respected Dan’s approach to his music. His output is underpinned by a strong work ethic built from a love of creating. He’s always looking to learn and further refine his processes. He is far less concerned with the output than he is with process, which is the most reliable way to create sincere art. As well as this, he’s a talented visual artist who applies all of those aforementioned qualities in that field as well. Having all of these tools on his swiss-army knife makes for interesting worldbuilding around his musical ventures, and keeps him a busy person.
“I have a pretty busy lifestyle. That keeps me wired creatively. The busy times fuel the creativity and the chill times let me formulate the creations. I like going for walks and looking at boats and birds and stuff. Wandering outside and just thinking.”
I’m Seeing Noise truly does feel like a product of Dan’s patience. Giving himself time to create takes the pressure off, and the result is distinct from anything he’s released before. It can be difficult to release the expectations you hold for outcomes, but doing so gets earnest results. The proof of that is in the pudding on this one. Dan is letting nature take its course. Is there more on the way? Yeah, there may well be. But you’ll get it when he’s ready, and no sooner.
