{"title":"Douglas Dare","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"milkteeth","title":"Milkteeth","description":"\u003cp\u003eEnglish songsmith Douglas Dare returns with his third and most stripped back studio album to date, \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth \u003c\/i\u003ewith Erased Tapes. Produced by Mike Lindsay — founding member of Tunng and one half of LUMP with Laura Marling — in his studio in Margate in just twelve days, \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth\u003c\/i\u003e sees Douglas become confident and comfortable enough with his own identity to reflect on both the joys and pains of youth. In doing so, he has established himself as a serious 21st century singer-songwriter with an enduring lyrical poise and elegant minimalist sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDouglas Dare grew up on a farm as the youngest member of a large extended family, where he was often found in his own private world, dancing in his mother’s pink ballet dress. “Only now do I feel free to express my inner child again, and am giving myself permission to play dress up,” says Dare of Milkteeth’s cover shot, in which he wears soft makeup and is draped with layers of white linen, acting the part of a Greek muse. “I never felt like I fit in. I was different, odd. I wanted to dance and sing and dress up and on a small farm in rural Dorset that really stuck out.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere previously he has been known as a piano player, for \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth\u003c\/i\u003e Dare picked up a new instrument, the autoharp, and as soon as he sat down with it, songs poured out – he wrote the album’s first single \u003ci\u003eSilly Games\u003c\/i\u003e, in under an hour. “Instinctual feelings about childhood and innocence were the catalyst,” he explains. “Then with the autoharp, it all just clicked – I could see the album laid out ahead of me.” \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth\u003c\/i\u003e opens with \u003ci\u003eI Am Free\u003c\/i\u003e, which loops piano and lyrics in an intimate dance, comparing the seemingly inexorable freedom of childhood to flying. \u003ci\u003eThe Playground\u003c\/i\u003e is a song Dare says he’s wanted to write for years, about a yearning for childhood innocence and simplicity. While \u003ci\u003eRed Arrows \u003c\/i\u003etells a story of vulnerability, of craving parental comfort, \u003ci\u003eThe Joy In Sarah’s Eyes\u003c\/i\u003e is a Jeff Buckley-esque ballad for a new generation. In \u003ci\u003eHeavenly Bodies\u003c\/i\u003e there is an unhurried darkness that nods to Leonard Cohen’s songwriting, and is also the first time Dare has played the guitar on record. The melodies on \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth\u003c\/i\u003e are deliberately simple; Dare wanted it to feel familiar right from the first listen. In between these songs sit instrumental pieces – \u003ci\u003eThe Piano Room, The Stairwell, The Window\u003c\/i\u003e – named for the spots they were recorded in, moments for stillness and reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDare’s music speaks of his own experiences of universal themes like love, loss, and childhood. Perhaps most importantly, his music gives a voice and a sanctuary to anyone who’s ever felt unusual or out of place. Whether he’s singing of the pain of those in the Magdalene Laundries as on Whelm, describing coming out to his parents on Aforger, or processing his own childhood isolation on \u003ci\u003eMilkteeth\u003c\/i\u003e, Dare has a graceful honesty and an abiding clarity of vision in his simple and distinctive sound.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"Clear | LP","offer_id":50455225631051,"sku":"1082073","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50455227793739,"sku":"1082072","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50455223533899,"sku":"1082071","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/49648122-0551-414d-85d9-8e1c346d72f5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727189501"},{"product_id":"seven-hours","title":"Seven Hours","description":"\u003cp\u003eDouglas Dare's Seven Hours EP was recorded in various spaces, including drummer\/producer Fabian Prynn's home-studio in South London. The four tracks are the first recordings the musicians have made together and with all songs written by Dare and all tracks engineered, mixed and produced by Prynn, it is a true collaboration. With the songs beginning as poems and short prose, Dare later improvises melodies and piano parts. This process was continued by Prynn with all the percussive rhythms coming from improvising to the original pieces. The performances were captured using a cassette recorder, keeping recording fresh as full takes had to be committed to at the recording stage. This process led to unexpected parts and ideas that now are integral to the sound and feel of the EP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50467498033483,"sku":"371097","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50467498197323,"sku":"368272","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/be44c3d9-4f2a-40e1-85eb-a67468578e4b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727338683"},{"product_id":"caroline-if-only","title":"Caroline \/ If Only","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimited 10\" on Erased Tapes. London-based singer-songwriter Douglas Dare releases new EP, following on from his debut album 'Whelm'. Named after album track 'Caroline' and new track 'If I Knew I Were Alive', it also features remixes by fellow label mate Ryan Lee West aka Rival Consoles and Houndstooth's own electronic producer Ross Tones aka Throwing Snow. 'Caroline' has always been a precious track for Douglas, one of the first tracks he recorded and a story in which he imagines his grandfather is writing to a loved one during the war. As the only song on his debut album that is stripped down to just his voice and piano playing, and it being a favourite amongst fans at his concerts, it was a natural choice as a first single. The new track 'If I Knew I Were Alive' Douglas wrote by creating beats, looping them and recording parts live. Dancing around to the beats in his room, he started singing melodies and coming up with ideas that he wouldn't usually have, sitting at the piano. The idea that we can do a lot more if only we appreciated our own ability and opportunity encouraged Douglas to not take the track to anyone else to re-record it, but to work with what he had created himself. The cover photograph was taken by Douglas Dare himself; printed on silver card, so that the seawater shimmers against the light.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50467519365451,"sku":"379723","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cbaff92b-66ec-4895-88ee-07c27e168dd3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727338849"},{"product_id":"whelm","title":"Whelm","description":"\u003cp\u003eLondon-based singer-songwriter Douglas Dare releases his debut album 'Whelm' on Erased Tapes. With the piano at the core, Dare vocalises his short prose and poems to a backdrop of drums, electronics and brass... It was in November last year that the duo Douglas Dare and producer\/percussionist Fabian Prynn decided to record an album, and by January they were listening to it. Finding themselves out of the home-studio for the first time, the pair recorded much of the album in Flood's studio Assault \u0026amp; Battery in West London. Other touches were recorded back in Fabian's home. With the comfort of familiar songs from his live set, such as Clockwork, Caroline and London's Rose, the session was equally driven by the excitement of creating brand new tracks like Nile, Swim and Unrest in a new environment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50467700310347,"sku":"375091","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/145216f3-7d63-4ff2-9320-a3e86b4d95ce_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727340792"},{"product_id":"aforger","title":"Aforger","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing his acclaimed debut \u003ci\u003eWhelm\u003c\/i\u003e, London-based singer-songwriter and pianist Douglas Dare returns with his sophomore album \u003ci\u003eAforger\u003c\/i\u003e. In a digital age where memories are mimicked by pixels and identity is as malleable as static, Douglas Dare's new album \u003ci\u003eAforger\u003c\/i\u003e questions the boundaries between reality and fiction. Inspired by recent events and revelations encountered in his life these songs depict Dare at his most vulnerable, whilst simultaneously reflecting our own obsession with reality and technology back at us. \u003ci\u003eAforger\u003c\/i\u003e was produced by long-time collaborator Fabian Prynn, mixed by Paul Gregory of Lanterns On The Lake and mastered at the iconic Abbey Road Studios. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - Black Vinyl housed in Gatefold Sleeve with Lyric Book and Download. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP+ - Limited Clear Vinyl housed in Gatefold Sleeve with Lyric Book and Download.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD - CD in Cardboard Sleeve plus 20-page lyric book.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"LP.","offer_id":50467847799115,"sku":"405857","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50467848716619,"sku":"405856","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50467850682699,"sku":"405855","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a644e22c-f214-4289-8b67-26abf5289086_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727342527"},{"product_id":"omni","title":"Omni","description":"","brand":"Erased Tapes","offers":[{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":51245940375883,"sku":"2180073","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7f13eaf2-861a-8f92-0298-0b6afd85b408_f509ddad_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1739229760"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/douglas-dare.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}