Dan Mangan’s Good Fortune

Catching up with Vancouver folk musician Dan Mangan to talk about his latest album, Oh Fortune, and life on the road.

Folk musician Dan Mangan started the way most musicians do: he travelled a lot and performed small gigs just to get his name out there and have his voice heard. Now, almost nine years into his career, far from those early days, Mangan has maintained that same humble and hardworking approach to his craft. A household name in his hometown of Vancouver, and throughout Canada, Mangan’s notoriety and growth have come as a result of a relentless touring schedule and his dedication to constantly evolve as an artist.


When Youthink spoke with Mangan, who was on his way to another venue, in yet another city, on the other side of the country, he explained why he has been constantly touring for the past few years.


“We’ve had a lot of cool opportunities. You don’t want to turn them down, And it’s exhausting, but there is a realization that this is my life now. You go through these long drives [but] then you get to play these great shows that keeps you into it and keeps things alive.” 


Admitting on the phone that the previous day was the first day the road-weary artist had woken up and gone to bed in the same city in two months, it’s clear that Mangan’s current lifestyle, as hard as it is, has proven key to the artist’s astounding success and creative process. In fact, it was being on the road with his band that makes Oh Fortune, Mangan’s recently released third album, his most collaborative effort. 


“When I was writing the songs for Nice, Nice [Mangan’s second album] I was on the road on my own. Whereas kind of the opposite happened this time because I was out on the road performing with the band. We spent a lot of time talking and playing and experimenting. The lyrics and the melodies all came from a similar place but the arrangements and how the songs were carried out was very much a collaborative situation,” says Mangan.


As a result, with a slightly darker feel and a fuller sound, Oh Fortune is different than what Mangan fans might expect from one of his albums – and this is exactly what he wanted. “I’m terrified of stagnancy and not interested in making the same record over and over again. It’s really important for me to feel like I’m evolving and growing. It was nice that this [Oh Fortune] didn’t have to just be a Dan Mangan record, but that it could redefine what that is.”


Mangan’s exhaustive efforts and focus this past year have certainly paid off. He received a Polaris Music Prize nomination and also three CBC awards, which he believes is “a by-product of touring and recording.” But if the real measure of success these days is being tweeted about by a celebrity, Mangan has that covered too. Last month, Rainn Wilson (The Office) tweeted his discovery of Mangan to his millions of followers, which Mangan admits is, “pretty exciting and cool!” 


Despite all the momentum generated from touring, it’s not surprising to hear what Mangan’s New Year’s resolution is: “Probably to try and spend more time at home. I’ve hardly been home this year.”


While this may good news to his friends and family, Mangan’s long-term return home cannot be counted on. After all, we know it is common for people to break their resolutions, and Mangan has a horde of fans hoping he’ll do just that.