And the Hello everyone and welcome to So Diyaker onwriting, which are all keeping safe and well.

This is Brian, accompanied as always by Simon, and joining us for episode 175 is a gifted young

English singer and songwriter who in late August released his excellent third album Grand Plan

which is easily one of our favorite records of 2020 and chronicles the ups and downs of his

first 12 months adjusting to life in Los Angeles we're chuffed to welcome the splendid Dan Kroll to the show.

Dan was born in 1990 in the town of Stoke-on-Trent,

where he was also raised,

but his family originally hailed from Liverpool,

which he considered his home from home.

He's an honorary scow set as we say.

Exactly.

He grew up in quite a musical household, his mom sang and his sister played piano,

and listening wise he found himself drawn to the classic songwriting of

Joni Mitchell James Taylor, Bear Bacharach, Paul Simon and Brian Wilson.

As part of a local government incentive to encourage kids to learn instruments Dan

picked up the trumpet of primary school

and played in his school orchestra. He was also a sporty kid, particularly excelling at rugby and at one

point considered that as a future career. By the time he left secondary school he'd also

began teaching himself guitar, drums and keys as well as writing his own songs

encouraged in his endeavors by his music teacher. When he was 17 he broke his leg

during a rugby game and for the next few months had to sleep downstairs in the family music room surrounded by instruments.

This temporary incapacitation proved a turning point for Dan, who seized the chance to develop his playing and writing skills as he convalesed

...