Interview: Singer/Songwriter Brett Dennen Offers 'Hope for the Hopeless'

Brett Dennen's latest album is called Hope for the Hopeless, and with this singer/songwriter, those aren't empty words. He's just as well known for his charity work as he is for his music. Although he's moved from opening act to headliner over the last couple years, Dennen remains down-to-earth and continues to support the Mosaic Project and other non-profit groups. And when it comes to his music, he's really hit his stride. Hope for the Hopeless is both fun and thought-provoking, and after one listen, you'll be humming songs like "Make You Crazy" for the rest of the day.

LAist recently sat down with Dennen at a practice studio where he and his band were getting ready for his current tour. During this time, he opened up about the album, his unique dance moves and his favorite part about living in Santa Monica.

LAist: You've said that you try not to waste a single word when writing your songs. How do you know when a song is done? Could you just keep working on it forever?

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Brett Dennen: I could. It's really hard, because with all the albums I've made, I'm still learning not only how to write a song, but how I write a song. I try to make my songs al dente—like undercooked pasta. I want to get to a place like that where I don't overdo it, but I underdo it, so it leaves you doing some work—thinking about it and wondering, "What does he mean?"

Is "Make You Crazy" the most fun song off the new album to play live?

It's fun, but I have more fun playing "San Francisco." It's just a good vibe and groove. It's not a serious song—it's just talking about food and alcohol and places around town.

One piece of advice you've given to aspiring singer/songwriters is, "Don't be afraid to write about the things that scare you most." Which song off the new album was the most scary to write?

That's a good question. I think "Heaven" was, because I wanted to do it in a way where I wasn't offending anybody or taking on religion or anything, but I also wanted to point out absurdities and things like that, and ask questions. Sometimes when working on topical songs like this, you come up with this block in your head and you think, "Who am I to say these things?" and you have to get over that stuff. I had to get over that with "Heaven."

Do you consider "Heaven" to be your "Imagine"?

No…maybe it's in the same ballpark but I think there's a simplicity to "Imagine" that no other song has ever been able to really achieve. "Imagine" is just so pure, plain and simple, and I think "Heaven" is a little more complicated. It's hard to tell exactly what it's about.

In the past you've talked about how each song on an album plays a key role in its makeup. How much time did you spend sequencing this record?

That did take a while. I had a couple different sequences. I wanted to open with a welcoming, warm, feel-good song that wouldn't be enough for people to make a conclusion about. In the middle I wanted to have an anchor—a heavy or a quiet song. And I wanted to end positively. I wanted to put "Make You Crazy" and "Heaven" in the first three songs, because those were the two songs I really wanted people to hear.

So those are the things I thought about. You also don't want, say, two songs that are in the same key, or two songs that are in the same tempo, to go back-to-back because it starts to sound boring.

Back in May, you'd said you'd written 40 songs for this album. Are you planning to release any of the material that wasn't included on Hope for the Hopeless?

Yes, I think a few songs will make it on the next record. And I'll find ways…one of the songs that didn't make it on the record, I used with Jason Mraz for a Survival International benefit CD. I'm sure I'll find ways to put songs out.

Hope for the Hopeless
What did your producer John Alagia bring to the table that made Hope for the Hopeless different from your previous albums?I think we saw that I had started to build a strong fan base from touring and we were starting to get into some radio play, but not that much. So we wanted a record that could be heard on the radio, that could draw in more of a mainstream audience, and give the sound a more broad appeal to bring in new people that might normally think, "Oh, what's this 'Ain't No Reason' song? It sounds folky…" or whatever. It's more what they're used to hearing on the radio, so they won't turn away from listening to it.

But it's also not too much of a broad appeal, because I don't want to turn away the fans who have found me through concerts and things like that. So I wanted it to be just right, and I think John Alagia was the guy I needed to help me find that balance.

I've read quite a few reviews of your concerts, and many have mentioned the way that you seem to instantly win over a crowd. Is that something you learned as you were touring as a supporting act all those years?

I don't know. There's just something about our vibe, I think. I'm barefoot a lot, we're kinda goofy and I dance funny. I think something about that might make it easier for people to be themselves or something.

Isn't your girlfriend a dancer?

She's a great dancer.

Does she ever teach you some moves?

(laughs) She has a hard time teaching me stuff because I'm not that graceful. If I said I learned stuff from her, I think it might be insulting to her, so I won't say that.

Over the years you've toured with some amazing guitarists—John Mayer, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Keb' Mo' just to name a few. Have you changed anything in your own guitar work as a result of spending time with these artists?

I don't know if this is a result of being around them or not, but lately I've been trying to be as simple as possible and not make things so much about the guitar. I dream of going on stage with just, like, a tuna can with strings on it and playing "Heaven," because it's not about the guitar. It's about the song.

Your non-profit work is just as prolific as your music. What are your dreams for the future when it comes to Mosaic or any other projects?

I would like the Mosaic Project to be really well-funded and run year-round to do all the work it needs to do. I think we can get there if I continue to do my work with it and they continue to impact the kids that they work with. And then with Love Speaks and the other programs I work with, I just want to keep using my music as a way to connect people with those programs.

People have described your music as blues, rock, folk, pop, Caribbean, reggae, funk, indie, mainstream and old-school. Given that the Mosaic Project seeks to tear down walls and rid the world of labels, does the fact that people have a hard time classifying you sorta make you smile?

It's just the way it is. I used to fight it for a long time, but comparisons just help you understand something—so you have something to compare it to. A lot of people say, "Oh, he has an acoustic guitar and he sings, so he's like John Mayer and Jack Johnson." Well, I don't think I sound like either of those guys, but I don't mind. I do it myself sometimes. I hear a song and say, "Oh, that's like Carly Simon meets whatever…" You can't help it.

Over the years, you've done some great covers during live shows such as "Don't Think Twice," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Billie Jean," and "Cecelia." Given that you were a big Metallica and Guns N' Roses fan as you were growing up, any chance you might ever tackle some metal? Any planned covers for the tour?

You know, I've thought about it. Metallica's probably more likely than Guns N' Roses. I've thought about doing a Rage Against the Machine cover, too. We'll see.

Last year you mentioned that you'd like to visit West Africa in 2008. Did you ever get a chance to do that?

I didn't, though I was supposed to. I worked with Femi Kuti and he invited me to visit, but I was just too dang busy. But I've got an open invitation from a couple of different people, so I will be going.

In what little spare time you do have, I know you paint a lot of guitars, as well as doing other watercolor work. What do you do with the guitars once you finish? Do you ever sell them?

Most of the things I paint, guitars and whatnot, I give away. I don't really have an interest in making money off them or anything like that. I think the guitar thing just happened naturally. I did it on my own guitar then John Alagia and a friend of mine wanted it on their guitars. I just started doing it a lot. Then I started doing contests with fans and stuff like that.

Brett Dennen — Self-Portrait
Do you ever get to a point where you're having a mental block with your music and then you pick up and paintbrush and are able to work through it?All the time! Yeah, I think you want to be creative and sometimes start feeling restless because songwriting might not be working or something. So painting helps to get the creativity out. I always get ideas for songs when I'm not thinking about it—when I'm driving or watching a movie or doing something else.

I got the idea for "Make You Crazy" when I was at this awards ceremony for this film industry thing. It just popped into my head. I think that everything you ever need to know is buried deep in your subconscious somewhere. It just takes something else to trigger it.

You travel with poetry books such as works by Pablo Neruda and Ahmed Rami. Given that you also write poetry, have you thought of releasing a book of poems?

Man, I don't know! Maybe. The thing is, with poetry, that's a world I don't really know much about. I don't know what it takes to release a book of poetry. I don't know what it takes to make a poem good. I just like reading that stuff because it makes me feel good and I like the imagery of those poets.

You could write and illustrate your own book.

Yeah, a kids' book!

That's a great idea! Now speaking of the place where you create your art, what's your favorite thing about living in Santa Monica?

I'm really attached to having an outside sort of lifestyle, so I always like to have a big garden and my doors and windows open all the time. So it's really easy, being here, cause I can be outdoors all the time.

Do you have any favorite restaurants or other places to hang out?

I love to eat and drink at the Library Alehouse on Main Street. That place is amazing.

Speaking of LA, will you be playing any shows here in the near future?

Yeah, I have two gigs March 24 and 25 at the House of Blues. Los Angeles is towards the end of the tour, so by the time we come to LA, I think the band is going to be real tight and it'll be a lot of fun.

Do you have any idea as to what kind of vibe your next album might have?

I'm really into 70s Brazilian samba right now. I really want to kind of go into it more and really explore those rhythms and grooves.

Thanks for speaking with LAist, Brett!

Brett Dennen will play the House of Blues March 24-25, and you may want to get your tickets early because both nights will probably sell out before the event. It's also just been announced that Dennen will be playing Bonnaroo this summer, so if you head to that music festival in June, you won't want to miss his set! To hear more of his music, check him out at www.myspace.com/brettdennen.

Photos from Brett Dennen's MySpace page