Photo: Dan Patlansky by Tobias Johan Coetsee
Award-winning South African blues/rock guitarist Dan Patlansky releases his new single “Bad Soul” on Friday, March 18, 2022, the second single from his latest studio album, Shelter of Bones. An emotionally charged blues rocker, the single is about an invitation to dance with the darkness.
“Bad Soul” is a heavy, modern blues/rock track that showcases not only Patlansky’s high-level guitar skills but also his mastery of songcraft. It launches with a hard, overdriven intro riff that’s fresh and intriguing before getting backed up with a corpulent, sweeping analog synth bass that’ll shake your rafters loose. The lyrics describe someone who was just born bad and goes through life knowingly spreading chaos in that character’s own words, a dramatic approach that pays big dividends to all who listen. Patlansky voices the lines perfectly, digging in when needed and soaring when necessary. The accompanying music video is quite artistic and well-executed and helps Patlansky articulate the song’s dark theme. Dan walks the line between vintage influences and modern visions on “Bad Soul” and, by doing so, encapsulates his take on the past, present, and possible future of the music we love. Don’t miss it.
“Some people are just born bad and can’t be changed,” says Dan about Bad Soul. “I grew up and got to know some people that seemed to just possess a bad streak in them, and no matter how hard people tried to steer them in a different direction, they would just end up being a bad ass in everything thing they did.”
Watch “Bad Soul”
Shelter of Bones was recorded over a three-year period from 2019-2021. “The pandemic allowed me to take my time, and really think about how I want the songs to come across,” reflects Patlansky. “In many ways I tried to keep the sound from past albums that I’ve become known for in my arrangements and song writing, but definitely took some different turns along the way. I’ve always seen a record as a time capsule of where an artist is in a particular time of their lives.”
Patlansky has been making waves in the global music community since dropping his debut effort Standing at the Station two decades ago. He has put out a steady stream of high-level guitar music since then, creating a body of work that takes in electric blues, acoustic blues, and straight-up rock and roll. He has appeared live with Bruce Springsteen, Joe Satriani, King King, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Walter Trout, and Everlast, been nominated for and won numerous awards, and built a solid reputation as one of the most happening guitarists working today. He’s a ripping player who is also a gifted songwriter, which makes any new release by Patlansky an occasion to celebrate.
Shelter of Bones covers a three-year period of many ups and downs. As a result, the South African guitarist believes the process has been a very interesting journey. “Shelter of Bones is an accurate representation of who I am currently as an artist, which is a modern twist on what I love most, the Blues.”
Patlansky’s new album Shelter of Bones is available here
Dan Patlansky’s new single “Bad Soul” and the accompanying video dovetail his upcoming UK tour with special guest Arielle, which runs March 31-April 12, 2022. Tickets for Dan’s UK tour can be ordered from HERE
Dan Patlansky March/April 2022 UK Tour
with special guest *Arielle
Dan Patlansky website
Interesting article on Dan. I learned of him on Rock and Roll Muse Group site! Excellent and interesting!
Super player and exceptional song writer, with fine singing chops!