Released in October 2015, Dan Webb’s third EP marked a significant evolution in the artist’s sound and creative approach. Recorded primarily in his bedroom at a time when he felt increasingly bored and frustrated by the limitations of keyboards, Webb opted to use the guitar as his primary instrument.
He embraced an experimental approach, incorporating analogue tape and utilising a vintage Casiotone keyboard from the 1980s that he acquired for free. He also experimented with partially filled and empty beer bottles as percussion instruments, allowing him to explore new textures and layers in his music.
The title track, “Sailing” showcases catchy hooks, a danceable post-punk disco beat, and whimsical lyrics, underpinned by surrealist themes and a thinly veiled swipe at the music industry. It features Webb's first recorded guitar solo, achieved by manipulating a detuned acoustic guitar in post-production to create an electric tone, demonstrating his growing confidence as a producer. In “Sulking”, Webb ventured into political rock for the first time, laying the groundwork for the themes explored in his next full-length album, Oedipus the King, released in 2017.
“The work of a genius…these aren’t everyday pop licks…these are something seriously quite intricate.”
John Murch
Radio Adelaide
Overall, Sailing stands as a pivotal chapter in Dan Webb's artistic journey, marked by a bold fusion of psychedelia, guitar-driven rock, and experimental elements. Webb’s inventive style on this EP—alongside its political narratives—acts as a precursor to the experimentalism and themes that would define his future work.
Recorded 6 August - 18 September 2015
Dan Webb – vocals, guitar, keyboards, recorder, percussion, programming, producer, engineer, mix engineer
Haydn Meggitt – drums, percussion (track 1)
Ross Cockle – mastering engineer
Photography by John Rohde
Cover artwork by Aaron Hayward
Dan Webb – vocals, guitar, keyboards, recorder, percussion, programming, producer, engineer, mix engineer
Haydn Meggitt – drums, percussion (track 1)
Ross Cockle – mastering engineer
Photography by John Rohde
Cover artwork by Aaron Hayward