The family tragedy that inspired Liverpool singer-songwriter Dan Astles’ debut album

As a young boy, Liverpool singer-songwriter Dan Astles loved nothing better than hunting around in the loft of his nan’s Kirkdale home searching for treasures.

And it was the discovery of a bundle of his late uncle’s possessions that not only shaped Dan Astles to be the man he was to become, but influenced the music he was to create.

“It was a dream for a young music-obsessed kid,” smiles Dan. “He had hundreds of records spanning from The Beatles’ White Album to The Velvet Underground, posters of every band imaginable, poetry and gig reviews, all pristinely kept and looked after by my grandad and ready to be discovered as though it was my own pirates’ treasure.”

Within it was a mixtape that became Dan’s ‘musical education’, inspiring the soon-to-be released debut album from which his latest single out today, We Could’ve Been Anything, is from.

“The mixtape was done like an album with music from Radiohead, The Beatles, Kate Bush and Abba, sandwiched with interludes of Jack Kerouac poems and radio comedy. It was like he was saying ‘get on this Dan, you’ll love it’; his personality was in there and it was like a conversation between the two of us.

“I made it my quest there and then to create my own mixtape with my original songs, directly inspired and informed by my uncle’s.

“I only found out later that my uncle Joseph had taken his own life when I was two, and the single is about the fragility of mental health, the impact of taking your own life and the love that’s left behind,” explains Dan.

His uncle’s mixtape was called Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home, and it seemed right that that would be the title of Dan’s first album too: “It’s a cool name,” he smiles.

And he adds: “It’s also like he’s still got a voice now, even though he’s no longer here.

“That’s why the first song on the album will be ‘Joe are you listening?’ and sets up the premise of the whole album.

“The more I learned about him, the more I thought he’s just like me.”

Dan, 26, who grew up in Southport and now lives in Toxteth, has always been interested in music.

“When I was asked in school what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would always say pop star; it was always going to be something to do with music.

“I started to learn guitar and have lessons, and I taught myself to play the piano and drums. I never really thought about doing anything else.”

He did music and technology at Liverpool City College and went on to study music at LIPA.

“I was lucky that my parents, both hardworking nurses, encouraged me and my younger brother to do what we wanted. It wasn’t ‘go and get a trade first’ but ‘go for it’, and I always tell my mum how thankful I am for that.

“I loved LIPA and they taught you how to be disciplined and how you could make a living without having to sell out Wembley!

“And I’ve been okay.”

Although his first performances were aged 14 at The Brink’s young musicians’ showcases, Dan has gone on to perform in a variety of venues across the city from St Bride’s Church to the Jacaranda, The Cavern to Lady Lever Art Gallery during the ‘Museums Sessions’ in 2023, and just before Christmas he supported Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band at the Liverpool Philharmonic.

“Playing at the Phil was amazing.”

He is about to go on the road with performances in London next month, and he will be announcing a summer tour to coincide with the release of his debut album on May 30.

Focusing on family rather than relationships with the album, Dan says: “I want people to feel it’s okay to talk about mental health, and not to forget people who have passed in the saddest way.

“Often the difference between someone taking their own life and not can be one drink that day. I don’t think people set out on that trajectory, I think, like everything, things happen in moments.

“It’s about being open about it – and about looking for the joy.

“The most important thing is family and cherishing the people in them. I’m lucky to have an amazing family and it was a privilege and a pleasure to write songs about my mum and dad, and my grandma and grandad.” (Dan’s grandad became a TikTok sensation when Dan encouraged him to write and perform his first song, Gerry’s Ferry).

“My uncle Joe had a daughter, my cousin Mia, who’s my age and one of my closest friends.”

As well as making his own music Dan is passionate about helping others to create theirs: “I do songwriting workshops with mental wellbeing charity Open Door and Rawd, which helps disabled people to grow.

“I’d eventually like to do things like that when I’m on tour, getting out in the community to help people write their own songs and then doing the gig at night. It’s all about mental health and wellbeing.

“I think that goes back to my uncle.  It was traumatic for my family and my mum, it was her brother and, who knows, it may have changed the way she raised her own children? Things have a ripple effect.”

So if Joe is listening? “Then I’d like him to know he’s gone but not forgotten.

“And if other people are listening, talk about how you feel.  Don’t keep it in.”

Dan Astles’ new single We Could’ve Been Anything featuring Bill Ryder-Jones on guitar is available now.

His album, Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home is out on Friday, May 30.

Read more features from The Guide Liverpool here.