.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Bjorn Ulvaeus ABBA Voyage Launch Press Handout Credit Sue Moore-4

    ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus making musical with help of AI

    The ABBA star previously appeared as one of 10,500 signatories from the creative industries, warning against artificial intelligence.

    Belinda Carlisle Once Upon A Time In California Artwork Demon-4

    Belinda Carlisle announces new album Once Upon A Time In California

    The new album from Belinda Carlisle is The GoGo’s star’s first English language pop record since 1996’s ‘A Woman & A Man’.

    Kesha Period Tits Out Tour Press Handout Credit Brendan Walter-4

    Kesha bringing Tits Out tour to UK and Europe in 2026

    The latest extension to Kesha’s previously-announced run of shows, is her first headline run on this side of the pond in over a decade.

    ABBA Credit ABBA Voyage (1)

    ABBA add new songs to Voyage show for third anniversary

    On Tuesday, May 27, the show, ‘ABBA Voyage’ relaunched with the addition of three classic hits from the group’s repertoire.

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Tom Aspaul Cabin Fever Artwork

    Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever

    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

    Gwen Stefani Bouquet

    Gwen Stefani – Bouquet

    Cascada Studio 24

    Cascada – Studio 24

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home News Exclusive

The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie Sells: ‘Being a 45-year-old pop star is slightly ludicrous!’ [Exclusive]

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
April 18, 2024
in Exclusive, News
The Feeling San Vito Handout Press Courtesy-3

Handout

44
SHARES
441
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Dan Gillespie Sells’ approach to making music has changed over the years because he thinks it’s “slightly ludicrous” to be a 45-year-old pop star.

Last week, the singer-songwriter returned with The Feeling’s seventh studio album, ‘San Vito‘, and many of the songs on the record tap into subject matters that are deeply personal to the star.

Lead single The Right Wrong is an anthem celebrating queer freedom, while the Lucie Silvas duet I Won’t Sleep Tonight deals with the intricacies of relationships, but when it comes to the meaning behind the material, Dan’s reluctant to divulge too much.

Don't Miss...

Agnes returns with shimmering new single Balenciaga Covered Eyes

Hurts celebrate 15 years of Wonderful Life with Purple Disco Machine remix

“I don’t want my version of the song to be the reason you like it – I want you to just be able to hear it and bring something to it,” he reflects in RETROPOP’s May 2024 edition. “Sometimes I write a lyric that is pretty on the nose and it’s really obvious what the song is about, but sometimes I write a lyric that is a bit abstract and lets people in so that they can bring something to it.

“I can’t really say anything more than what you’ve heard, because it’s not designed to be anything else. It doesn’t need a plaque; it’s not one of those pieces of art that needs an explanation in order to make sense of it. That’s not what I do.”

That’s not to say his writing hasn’t changed over time. “As I get older, my songwriting either gets playful or there’s a serious amount of tongue-in-cheek, because I’m aware that a 45-year-old man making pop music is slightly ludicrous,” he giggles.

“I’m always aware that, even if I sing something really poppy, it might seem a bit earnest, so there’s always a bit of tongue-in-cheek with it and I try to make sure that comes through as well. I want that to come across.

“Sometimes I want to do something that is really pop and almost stupid – and I still want to be able to do it – but I’m aware that I’m a 45-year-old man. You know, some artists are like Peter Pan, right? They stay in this childlike state. But I’m not one of those people; I’m aware of my age and I’m aware of where I’ve come from, wherever I’m going.”

However, he maintains: “I love pop music and I will always make pop music – I see it as a high art form – but I’m also sometimes singing something that’s just delightful and a bit stupid, so I’m happy to do it and I’ll commit to it.”

On their seventh and most-recent album, the band jetted off to Southern Italy to craft a collection and influenced by the local culture, food and pizzica music – and, of course, the titular patron saint of dancers and entertainment.

“It sounds more fabulous than it was,” laughs Dan of their European adventure. “We were in a town in Puglia, which is quite trendy but also quite a scrubby, beautiful, but properly rural part of Italy.”

They made several visits to the town, starting last February – “It was completely closed – the idea that we were living this glamorous italian life is not what it was,” he chuckles – and visiting several times throughout the year, in March and September, totalling four weeks altogether.

“We found a studio near Richard’s house down there and we just fell in love with it,” he beams. “We knew it was a great opportunity and the guy who owned the studio let us just have the run of the place, which was amazing. He literally said, ‘Here’s the keys – enjoy!’”

Creating with just the five band members – Dan, Richard, Kevin and Ciaran Jeremiah (guitars and vocals, respectively) and Paul Stewart (Drums) – in one room, without external producers or engineers, is a setup familiar to the band over the past two decades, and it’s that sense of knowing that’s kept the group going for two decades.

“Making another Feeling album, for me, is a celebratory thing. It’s comforting,” smiles the singer. “And it’s a great outlet for me; they’re a great bunch of musicians who allow me to express myself musically and facilitate that in a way that is really nonjudgmental.

“I feel really safe creating around them and saying what I want to say around them because they just get me, so it’s a nice place to be. I feel like I’m going home when I go and work with the boys.”

San Vito CD
Townsendmusic.store
San Vito CD
£11.00
BUY NOW
San Vito Vinyl
Townsendmusic.store
San Vito Vinyl
£20.00
BUY NOW
San Vito Blue Vinyl
Townsendmusic.store
San Vito Blue Vinyl
£22.00
BUY NOW
Tags: 2000sThe Feeling
Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Agnes Balenciaga Covered Eyes Press Handout Credit Fredrik Hvass-4
New Music

Agnes returns with shimmering new single Balenciaga Covered Eyes

by Connor Gotto
May 30, 2025
Hurts Happiness Album Artwork Credit Sony-4
New Music

Hurts celebrate 15 years of Wonderful Life with Purple Disco Machine remix

by Connor Gotto
May 30, 2025
Kesha Period Tits Out Tour Press Handout Credit Brendan Walter-4
News

Kesha bringing Tits Out tour to UK and Europe in 2026

by Connor Gotto
May 30, 2025
Kate Nash GERM Press Handout Credit Emily Marcovecchio-4
New Music

Kate Nash celebrates trans community on powerful single GERM

by Connor Gotto
May 30, 2025
Alexis Strum Swim Single Artwork-4
New Music

Alexis Strum teams up with Alzheimer’s Society for poignant new single Swim

by Connor Gotto
May 15, 2025

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Bjorn Ulvaeus ABBA Voyage Launch Press Handout Credit Sue Moore-4

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus making musical with help of AI

June 6, 2025
Belinda Carlisle Once Upon A Time In California Artwork Demon-4

Belinda Carlisle announces new album Once Upon A Time In California

June 4, 2025
Agnes Balenciaga Covered Eyes Press Handout Credit Fredrik Hvass-4

Agnes returns with shimmering new single Balenciaga Covered Eyes

May 30, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2025 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE