Dan Astles wrote his first album inspired by an old cassette he found as a child. “Soundtrack For The Twenty One Bus Home” is both a musical journey and a tribute to his deceased uncle.
Inspiration Born from a Cassette
When Dan was 15, he found a mixed tape belonging to his uncle, Joseph Deans, who had committed suicide, during a search of his grandfather’s house.
The label, written in red ink, read: “Soundtrack For The Twenty One Bus Home.”The cassette was a mix of songs by artists like Radiohead, The Beatles, Kate Bush, and Abba, along with Jack Kerouac poems and radio sketches.
Musical Connection with the Past
The Southport artist, who is now 27 years old, says, “That cassette was like his own album. As I listened to it, I felt a connection with him.”
His new album is like a letter to his uncle. The first song, “Joe, Are You Listening?”, is addressed directly to him.
A Message About Mental Health
Dan incorporates themes such as family, loss, and the fragility of mental health into his album: “When someone dies like that, the echo of grief is felt for years. This album is both an awareness and a healing process.”
“Soundtrack For The Twenty One Bus Home” sheds a powerful light on both Dan’s musical roots and the silent story of his family. It holds.
