We caught up with Dan Bettridge following his epic set at Swn festival to chat about his influences and what the future holds for this rising star.

WhatÔÇÖs it like being championed by the BBC? YouÔÇÖve been played by Jo Whiley and now Horizons are behind you.
I donÔÇÖt really think about it to be honest, when it happens IÔÇÖm seriously gobsmacked and so so thankful. ItÔÇÖs great to be played by these massive names.

ThereÔÇÖs been a lot of progression from your first EP Hunters Heart, which was more acoustic based, to your two latest singles, which sound a lot more like Van Morrison. Is that the sort of music youÔÇÖve been listening to?
Yeah, definitely. I listen to a lot of Van Morrison. My Mum and I used to listen to a lot of Van Morrison – we used to sing a long in the car to ÔÇÿReal Real GoneÔÇÖ. I canÔÇÖt find that song online, only on CD. When I wrote ÔÇÿThird Eye BlindÔÇÖ, which I guess is quite Van Morrison-y, I was listening to quite a lot of soul, and that kind of stuff – not just Van Morrison.

ItÔÇÖs quite different for a young guy like yourself to be into stuff from that period.
I think thatÔÇÖs when the best music was written. Artists like Van Morrison, theyÔÇÖre the most accessible for me. When I think of music, theyÔÇÖre the first thing that pops into my head, my first port of call.

What was it like working with Stephen Black, better known as Sweet Baboo, on Third Eye Blind?
I was really lucky because my producer and bass player Charlie Francis, knows a lot of people. Stephen was on tour at the time, and Charlie just gave him a call at the time and said ÔÇÿIf youÔÇÖre ever swinging through Cardiff, can you just come into the studioÔÇÖ. Stephen came in with like two or three saxophones, and just smashed out the part in one take.

YouÔÇÖve never really used any brass in your music, so it must have been exciting to have Stephen put a different take on your music. Is that something you would want to go to again?
Oh yeah, I love what the brass section brings to the music. It just gives it a whole other dimension.

You were talking about Charlie Francis, what was it like working with a producer who’s done work with great artists like R.E.M and Karl Hyde?
I didnÔÇÖt really think about it, I just thought that IÔÇÖm working with one hell of a professional. CharlieÔÇÖs never one to mention what heÔÇÖs done in the past – heÔÇÖs a really modest guy, lovely guy. WeÔÇÖve become great friends since weÔÇÖve been working together. ItÔÇÖs just like working with an impeccable musician. Same with the rest of the band – they just make it so easy for me.