In our latest band spotlight, we chat to Daniel Connelly of Happy Science about his latest inspirations, and focusing on the future.
S] How are you today?
I’m good, feeling pretty positive. The sun’s shining, my friends and family are well. It’s easy to be down and unproductive in times like these but you have to stay focussed, creative and remember there’s people with tough jobs in difficult positions right now and we have to stay positive and support them as much as possible.
S] What inspires you outside of music, think specific people, places and movies, for example?
I’m a massive movie fan; I could properly recite every Tarantino film word for word. I’ve always wanted to write a concept album, each song based around a Tarantino film, starting with Reservoir Dogs. Despite being raised a city boy, I’m a lover of nature. I recently spent some time in Clifden, Co. Galway on the west coast of Ireland, near where my family are from. It’s a beautiful place, full of mountains, unique hidden beaches and forests; it’s a very inspiring place indeed.
S] What are the biggest challenges you face as artists now?
Obviously, with shows and festivals being cancelled, many artists have lost their main revenue source and it’s hard. This needs to be a good opportunity to diversify. A lot of really good, expensive music course are now free (MusicGurus is a good example).
Learn to produce, write for other people, mix, master, learn how to manage acts, start a label. All these skills will help you go forward in your career and potentially open new opportunities and revenue streams.
S] How do you define success?
Firstly, being alive and healthy is success for me. As long as I’m fit and healthy, I’ll forever be creative and doing what I love… making music. I’m very driven and creative; I worked day and night to make Sisteray a success and get us to Reading Festival and Happy Science will be the same.
S] What are your plans for the rest of this year?
It’s difficult to say right now. We were due to launch the band with some very big shows, including Great Escape weekend. We have to regroup, keep writing and plan to hit this post-Corona period with a bang.
S] Thanks for your time! Thanks a lot for having me! Stay well.
