From Loft Mixtape to Debut Album: A Musical Journey of Family and Healing

Dan Astles, a singer-songwriter from Southport in Merseyside, found inspiration for his debut album in a very personal way. When he was just 15 years old, Dan was searching through his grandparents' loft and came across a mixtape that belonged to his late uncle, Joseph Deans. The tape was labeled in red ink as 'Soundtrack For The Twenty One Bus Home. ' Although Dan was only six months old when his uncle passed away, discovering the mixtape helped him feel a connection to Joseph, who was known in the family for his deep love of music.

Dan remembers how much his uncle's death affected his family, even though he didn't learn the details until he was older. He says that everyone always talked about how Joseph 'lived and breathed music,' and Dan feels the same way about himself. As a teenager, Dan started writing his own songs, and his grandad suggested he look in the loft for Joseph's music collection. There, Dan found a treasure trove of vinyl records, gig posters, and the special mixtape. Listening to the tape, Dan realized how thoughtfully his uncle had put it together, with songs from Radiohead, The Beatles, Kate Bush, and Abba, mixed with poems and radio comedy. It felt like a personal album, and Dan was amazed by the creativity and care that went into it.

The mixtape was designed for the journey on the 21 bus, which travels from Liverpool city centre to Kirby. Dan imagines his uncle listening to the tape after nights out or attending concerts, making the bus ride special. Using his grandad's tape recorder, Dan played the mixtape and was inspired by the music and the funny interludes. This experience motivated him to create his own album, which he named after the mixtape. The album, 'Soundtrack For The Twenty One Bus Home,' is both a tribute to Joseph and a way for Dan to have a conversation with the uncle he never really knew. The first song, 'Joe, Are You Listening? ' is written directly to his uncle, and the album explores themes of family and mental health. Dan believes that increasing awareness of mental health is important, especially since his uncle's passing had a lasting impact on the family. He hopes that Joseph would have enjoyed the album and been proud of the tribute. For Dan, making the album was a way to keep his uncle's legacy alive and to feel close to him through music.