Downtown Patriots was created in 2015 by Danny Watts, a multi-instrumentalist from Woodbridge, Suffolk. Originally working with session drummer James Duncan on the two debut EPs “Love” and “Guiding Light” before settling with Ben Cochrane to create a 2-man band for live gigs. Danny and Ben began recording the debut Downtown Patriots album “Legacy” in 2015 but wasn’t released until 2019. Once the album was recorded Ben relocated to Australia, so Danny began acoustifying the songs in order to play live, solo. During lockdown in 2020, Danny began writing and recording the follow up to Legacy - Dance Out of The Dark. With a more nuanced sound from the previous heavier offering, this new album combines Danny’s love for 90s grunge and 80s retro synths.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Downtown Patriots, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
I’ve always loved music, but it was probably my brother’s vinyl collection that really got me in to. He was Mod so we used to listen to The Jam, The Who, Small Faces and The Kinks, from there my musical world grew into harder rock such as Iron Maiden and then into more American sounds such as, Van Halen.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’m sure most people would love to work with their favourite artists, and I’m sure I’m no different, but actually, I’d really love to do a rock album with Miley Cyrus, because she would crush it. I’d also love to work with Norwegian musician Marianne Sveen, I adore her voice.
Your latest song is 'Said And Done'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
So I looked back on my Voice Memos on my phone and saw that the concept started at 1.30pm on the 1st January 2021, it came together pretty quickly. Recording started on Valentines Day - 14th February 2021, ironic as the song is all about a break up don’t you think?!
What are you focussing on right now?
Promoting the album, and gearing up for the next single “Your Burden”. I’m still busy in the studio and about to go in to mastering a new EP of really old songs. I’m also in the middle of writing an instrumental album but I doubt that will be released until next year.
What are you most proud of?
In life? My family. In music, The fact that thousands of people are listening to music that I wrote, engineered, played and produced. I may not have billions (or even millions) of streams, but I take huge amount of pride to know I did it all on my own. The only thing I didn’t do was mix or master the album.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Being heard and noticed! There are more artists out there now than ever before and it’s very very crowded. Streams don’t make the artist money (unless you’re in the millions of streams) and few people buy music anymore, Instead we’ve all succumbed to the powers of streaming platforms.
How do you structure your day?
Loosely!
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I enjoy the gym and dog walks. I’m a voice actor in my spare time and also enjoy writing stories and screenplays. Oh, I’m also developing a new social media game app!
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
I very rarely do. I do however, do vocal warm up exercises a lot in the shower!
What are your plans for the future?
Write more, produce more, perform more, release more. I’ve got so much in me I need to get out. In between the instrumental album and the EP, I’m writing and preparing a more acoustic album and also a heavy blues/rock album.