Words by Francesca Venn. Photography by Evan Silverman, Sully & Matthew Bottomley. Thanks to Chris Graham @ Listen Up.

With both connection and nostalgia firmly rooted at the centre of everything he makes, D.O.D is and always has been a master when it comes to soundtracking memories. The first few beats of every song instantly transcend, taking you to a time you can’t forget, from dusty festival tents and endless laughs with the right people around you, to late night drives with nowhere particular to go. Whatever it might be, there’s always a D.O.D track to take you right back to the moments that matter.

As well as a much needed catch-up on life, which to no-one's surprise is as busy as ever, we sat down with D.O.D to talk all things ‘Everything, Briefly’, his highly anticipated debut album, built on escapism and euphoria. This eleven track body of work, described as a “love letter to the fleeting moments that hold on”, comes at a time which he states “just feels right”, both personally and at this specific point in his career. Having released timeless summer anthems over the past 10+ years, it bears the question…

Q: How do you know when something just feels right?

A: “Honestly, I trust my gut. If I really believe in something, I’ll do it. Some records that others didn’t believe in ended up becoming huge because I stayed confident in them.”

For me, what really stands out with D.O.D is the time and level of perfection that comes with creating his sound. At the ‘Everything, Briefly’ listening party, the conversation was built around where the tracks started, and how they came to be selected for the album. What became clear is that with all the mastering, endless demos, and layered vocals, sometimes, even the strongest tracks (that we would’ve all loved), aren’t always the right fit. For Dan, it’s more than just a song, it’s about giving people an escape; a chance to connect with the music and moments surrounding it.

Q: Do you have a personal favourite track that you’ve made?

A: “It has to be ‘Somedays’ for me, just because it meant a lot to me lyrically at that time in my life, and if it meant that much to me, then it probably meant/means a lot to other people too.”

As a huge ‘Still Sleepless’ and ‘Somedays’ fan, getting the chance to speak with D.O.D and hear what this album and chapter of life means to him was genuinely eye opening.

There’s something refreshing about speaking to an artist of this stature, and finding that, beneath the touring, the releases and the ever-growing global audience, his priorities remain grounded. It’s always been about making music that he believes in, building a better life for his family and most importantly, enjoying what he’s created and achieved, rather than getting caught up in what success is supposed to look like

When asked how his idea of success has changed over the years, his answer says a lot;

“I used to think success was mostly touring and playing shows. Now I think it’s about making timeless music that lasts and connects with people long after release.”

It’s an interesting perspective, especially considering that Dan is currently in the busiest period of touring yet. While the shows are very much part of the journey, they’re no longer the end goal. Instead, they’re simply an extra opportunity to share the music with the people who connect with it, all while continuing to build something that lasts long after the lights go down. And maybe that's just what makes his outlook feel so genuine; despite the scale of it all, he still finds it crazy that music made in his basement can mean so much to so many across the world, like you and I.

Having met D.O.D at the ‘Everything, Briefly’ listening party, it was clear to see that the person behind the music was just as genuine in real life. Between sharing a photo and chatting about the project, there was an ease in the interaction that made his 8.7 million monthly listeners feel worlds away. It was a reminder that, behind the numbers there’s still Dan, just doing what he loves.

With his debut album now finally out to the world, the exciting part is seeing where the music goes next, from the dancefloors it fills to the countless memories it’ll inevitably become part of.

We joked about catching up again, at a show this time, wherever in the world that might be and Dan, of course, was more than keen to make it happen. LA, Newcastle or somewhere in between, we can’t wait to see him again. For now though, I’ll be keeping ‘Everything, Briefly’ on repeat, waiting for that reunion.

So press play, escape for a moment and let the album remind you that some of life’s shortest moments leave the longest-lasting memories.