Dan Raza chats with David Knopfler for his latest Sound Cafe Podcast, Spirit and Roots, they chat about David's latest album ' Songs of Loss and Love ' and more.
You can listen to the entire interview and music From February 27th until March 31st HERE
A founder member of Dire Straits, David has since enjoyed a successful solo career spanning almost 4 decades and taking in 18 albums.
His latest release is the fantastic Songs of Loss and Love. We'll be spinning tracks and talking about that, as well as exploring David’s musical journey and his approach to songwriting.
David Knopfler is a British singer-songwriter from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. He was born in Scotland and raised in England from the age of two. Together with his older brother Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, and Pick Withers, he founded the rock band Dire Straits in 1977, serving as rhythm guitarist on their first two albums. After quitting the band, Knopfler embarked upon a solo career as a recording artist. Knopfler initially created smaller record labels, publishing companies, and indie labels.
Knopfler introduced his older brother, guitarist Mark Knopfler, to his bassist flatmate John Illsley. After gaining the interest of drummer Pick Withers, the four founded the rock band Dire Straits. One of Mark's friends came up with the band's name, which was supposedly a reference to their financial situation at the time the band was beginning to gain notice in the music industry. David however, asserts on his website that "the notion that the band were literally in dire straits is largely retrospective myth making and not really factually supportable. We all had day jobs until we got a whacking big advance from Polygram.
Listen To The Full Show HERE
About Dan Raza
Dan Raza is one of the mainstays on the London singer-songwriter and folk roots scene. He has been praised by artists such as Chris Farlowe, Slaid Cleaves, Mary Gauthier and Jackie Oates and had a song included on Neil Young’s ‘Living With War’ website.
His distinctive approach has won him a following across the UK and abroad as he has taken his songs on the road performing solo and opening for Joan Armatrading, Badly Drawn Boy, Alejandro Escovedo, Cara Dillon and The Sadies, amongst others.
Of mixed Indian and British origin, Dan grew up in the Home Counties and moved to London in his late teens where he has since been based.
Website: www.danraza.com
Dan's Monthly radio programme, based out of the UK, showcases the best singer-songwriters out there - old and new. Each episode Dan talks to a featured guest about their music, creative process and influences. The show goes out on two big digital stations: K2K Radio in London and Blues & Roots Radio in Canada, and is also available as a Podcast right here on The Sound Cafe.
Watch the documentary about Dan.