"By recording under a different name I found it gave me a different headspace."
Pic by Matsu Photography
Gyroscope vocalist Dan Sanders has been teasing a mysterious new project via the band’s Facebook page for weeks now, today unveiling a solo endeavour titled XIII and two new tracks.
The rock maestro has introduced the world to his new project with double A-side Hell Mary/Don’t Leave Me Alone, which channel heavy and acoustic elements of Gyroscope while also carving a fresh path.
The solo endeavour has been in the works for more than a decade, with the singer-songwriter penning more than 100 songs since 2008, but it wasn’t until 2016 when he built a home studio that things became more serious.
“I was born on Friday the 13th,” Sanders said. “XIII is me. And by recording under a different name I found it gave me a different headspace, and more room to explore my dark side perhaps.”
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The new songs are said to cover despair, loss, hate, rage, isolation and drunken lust, drawing heavy influence from David Bowie and Kurt Cobain.
"I’ve always got Kurt on one shoulder and Bowie on the other, and it’s not heaven and hell, it’s two cool dudes in my ears. And when I’m doing stuff I check with them both, and if they’re cool I just go with it.”
With Hell Mary/Don’t Leave Me Alone out now via Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia and headline shows coming soon, Sanders is expected to release a full-length album later this year as XIII.
Check out the new songs below.