Dean Friedman Tells Stories in Patch & Peekskill!

Dean Friedman is looking forward to performing at Dramatic Hall in the Peekskill Central market, on March 23 at 8 PM. For more information on Dean’s appearance, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/d... or call 914-287-0300.

The Westchester County-based and International touring artist has been sharing his talents all over the world, most notably in Europe, especially the British Isles, where he’s had so many hits. He’s appeared several times on popular UK TV shows, most notably TOP OF THE POPS. Last fall Dean presented headliner Christine Lavin’s homecoming concert in Peekskill, and opened for her.

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Following last year’s sold-out, 40th Anniversary Tour, Dean celebrates his latest album, 12 SONGS, a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ - songs of pathos and humor that deal with family, friends, neighbors, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

PATCH interviewed Dean about the secrets to his success!

QUESTION: What of your hits—like LYDIA, ARIEL, MCDONALDS GIRL—— are based on real life stories? How have they changed through the years?

I think of my songs as short stories set to music; story songs, with a narrative and chock-full-of detail. Most of my songs - both the obscure album cuts, as well as the chart hits - are based on some aspect of my own life or the lives of family or friends. They might range from the mundane to the ridiculous, but always contain a kernel of truth; something the listener finds familiar, that they recognize in their own lives. And then, infusing my lyrics with lots of concrete, seemingly trivial details - a song like “Ariel” would be a good example - is my way of painting a picture, using visual imagery to describe a world that the listener can see in their own minds. It's my way of inviting the audience into the song, almost making them co-authors, collaborators. When I do it right, it's almost a kind of 'enhanced reality' - like those Google headsets - because the listener gets to superimpose their own recollections and emotions on top of the song-world I'm singing about; it becomes interactive, a two-way experience. Then, it's not just my song anymore; it's our song.

QUESTION: You’re also a local artist that has inspired lots of songwriters with your book, SONGWRITER’S HANDBOOK. What advice do you do you have for people going into the entertainment industry?

DEAN FRIEDMAN: Any time a young musician or songwriter, just starting out, asks my advice as to whether I think they should stay on their path and pursue their dream, I usually respond by saying two things: (1) only pursue a life as a songwriter if you love writing songs and you're compelled to keep doing it; if your goal is simply to become rich and successful, you're probably better off going to law school or selling real estate. And (2) if you can't help yourself and are compelled to pursue a career in the arts, best to work on a parallel path, that is, find a way to work at something practical within the industry, something that'll pay the rent, but is still tangential to your field. At the same time, pursuE your creative yearnings and continuing to dedicate time and energy to improving your craft. If, and when, those two parallel career paths happen to merge, you'll be professionally prepared and equipped to bring your best, most experienced artistic self to the opportunity at hand. In other words, don't wait for success to polish your craft, and find a way to put food on the table while you improve yourself and mature as an artist. Not always easy, but a useful approach.

QUESTION: ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

DEAN FRIEDMAN: I just finished up a 40th Anniversary Tour, and confronting that fact - the four-decade passage of time - was as much a surprise to me as it was to my loyal fans, around the world. But, unsettling as the idea was, it turned out to be an enormously fun and satisfying experience, revisiting those early songs, remembering that time in my life and career, and reconnecting with an audience that has stuck with me during all that time, and continues to support my indie musical efforts. Turns out some of those efforts have stood the test of time. But, at the end of the day, I'm obliged to give credit to my enthusiastic audience - and the power of the internet that enabled me to reconnect with them - for making it possible for me to continue doing what I do: write songs, record albums and perform concerts all over the world. Otherwise, I'd most likely be living in a treehouse in Catskill Mountains somewhere, shooting squirrels for dinner. Not that that's such a terrible idea, especially as I'd manage to avoid all the crazy politics we're living through, at the moment.