Dan Wriggins, the frontperson for Philly-based band Friendship, has released two new solo singles “Dent” & “The Diner.” After hearing him sing The Diner, watch the video below, I kind of warmed to the lo-fi feel of his music and that slight fragility in his voice. Not sure why I respond this way to music but that sort of singer just makes the experience of listening all the more real and intimate. There’s also an endearing underlying punkish edge to Wriggins, a bit like David Dondero or Patrick Porter and that’s a big bonus.
Much like the band Friendship, Wriggins is equally unobtrusive and he comes across the same way in front of the camera. The video for The Diner was directed by Dan & his brother, Adam Wriggins, & filmed in the brothers’ hometown of Yarmouth, Maine.
Dan Wriggins on his two new singles
“Writing songs for Friendship, I would sometimes come up with one that felt more like a solo song and less like a band song. The distinction is blurry. I wrote “The Diner” a couple years ago, and “Dent” this summer. They are companions insofar as they both feature violin parts from the amazing Lina Tullgren, and they share three title letters.
“The All Night Diner was a basement venue in Philly active around 2016-17 that my friends and I used to hang out at a lot. It was a special place. There was a nice porch and backyard, friendly people, and a lot of great shows. I don’t know whether I “took it for granted” or not. It probably helped me understand that a supportive scene and community doesn’t just happen, and I was lucky to be a part of that one. The song could also be about actual diners. My favorite is Annie’s in Worcester, MA.
“I’m not sure where “Dent” came from. I may have had Willie Nelson’s “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” on the brain. Most of the song is typical blues about work sucking and feeling like a zombie. But the punchline is “oh and by the way, you leaving didn’t help.” Peter Gill recorded the guitar part through his boombox, and gave me a tape with very loud hiss. He assured me it would sound good, and that “Keith Richards did it this way all the time.”
“Dent” & “The Diner” are now streaming on all digital platforms. The two singles can also be streamed & purchased on Bandcamp & the Orindal site.
Photo Credit: Dan Berkowitz