We caught up with Dan from Bastille at the “Meta Loves Music” event, where fans and content creators gathered to design their own ‘&’ symbols inspired by the artwork of Bastille presents & (Ampersand). This new album is an exploration of dualities—pairs of people, concepts, and perspectives that Dan wanted to represent through intimate storytelling and fresh musical influences. Hosting the event alongside Theo Hershey, the artist who co-created the album’s artwork, Dan shared insights on the album’s creation and its unique thematic focus.
The album’s out in just two days! How are you feeling?
Yeah, it’s a weird thing—releasing an album you’ve had for a while. We’ve been working on it intensely for about six or seven months now, so finally letting go of it feels odd. But I love these songs, and I’m proud of the stories they tell. I wanted this album to capture the positive experience of creating it with everyone involved. It’s been an incredibly fun and interesting journey, exploring different musical and artistic directions together.
This album seems to have a really unique concept compared to what you’ve done before. How did you approach it?
A lot of times, I start with a few loose ideas, and the album's theme gradually takes shape. For this one, I was drawn to the idea of pairs—songs about pairs of people, concepts, and experiences. This approach led me to meet Emma, an academic who pointed me to people and resources I hadn’t known about, which was fascinating. So, while it may sound intense, the research wasn’t stuffy or academic—it was a mix of films, books, and conversations. Musically, I was inspired by artists like Sufjan Stevens and Anohni, aiming for songs that felt more tender and intimate, with storytelling front and center.
Given the characters and experiences in the album, was it challenging to bring them to life?
Absolutely. Writing about specific people, especially those I find inspiring, can be intimidating because you want to represent them truthfully. It made me think a lot about storytelling—how history and fiction overlap in the way we pass on beliefs and experiences. I even had some interesting conversations with documentary filmmakers about portraying real people. They said, as long as you approach it with respect and curiosity, it’s okay. I really took that to heart. Some songs came together quickly, while others took more time and tweaking. Every word matters in a three-minute song because slight changes can completely shift the meaning.
It sounds like you’ve poured a lot into this. How has that affected your outlook?
Definitely. There was no outside pressure on this album other than making something meaningful and beautiful for myself. From the music to the artwork, videos, and even learning guitar—it was all about pushing myself creatively and learning new things. In a way, I think this album has been a way to keep my mind active, challenging myself in areas I hadn’t explored before.
You’re bringing this album on tour across Europe, London, and the States. What can fans expect from these shows?
The tour is about bringing the album to life in the most exciting way possible. I’ve been lucky to work with an incredible group of artists—people who all write and perform their own music and bring so much talent to the table. This tour is like an immersive ‘ampersand world,’ a space where we can bring these characters and stories to life through music, illustrations, and visuals. I’m really excited for everyone to experience it at its fullest.
Sounds amazing! Thanks so much, Dan.
Thank you!
As our conversation with Dan wrapped up, it was clear just how deeply he’s invested in &—not only as a collection of songs but as a creative journey that’s challenged and inspired him in new ways. From experimenting with storytelling and collaboration to building a tour that brings the album’s themes vividly to life, Dan’s passion for & radiates through every part of the project. As fans prepare to experience this next chapter live, one thing is certain: & is more than an album. It’s an invitation to step into a world of dualities, connections, and boundless creativity.
& is out now.
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Words by Sal F.
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