Less than 48 hours after Dan Achen passed away, the internet is filled with beautiful stories and shining recollections of Dan. And this doesn’t surprise me at all.
Dan taking care of a quick mix tweak at Catherine North.
I met Dan less than three years ago, but it feels like I’ve known him all my life. I think that’s one of the things that made him great. It didn’t matter if you saw him last year or yesterday; it was easy to pick up the conversation and feel at home with him.
I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work on so many recordings with him. Watching him work as a producer was so enlightening. With thoughtful critique he inspired people to be their best. That was Dan at his best.
We started many days together with a coffee in the morning, recording in the afternoon, dinner at B&T and a pint in the evening. A pattern that will be familiar to many artists, engineers and assistants who’ve worked with Dan.
I miss him dearly. But I am consoled by the fact he did what he loved every day. He lived his passions. He loved life and the people around him as much as we loved him.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I never met Dan, Honestly I was at the rink the night it happened I just want to say God Bless this man who was well liked.
Michael,
My bandmates in Holding.Sky and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to record with Dan producing just fall into our laps about 2 1/2 years ago.. I was already a fan of Dan’s work and was elated to find out we’d be working with him.. That was even before it became one of the defining sixth months of my life. I feel as though I could copy and paste your message above exactly as it is as my own story (especially the B&T and the pints..!) I’m glad I’m not the only one who opens it with “I’ve only known Dan a few years, but I feel like I’ve known him all my life.”
Dan was a fantastic human being through and through. He changed my life. I’ll never forget him. I’m happy to be one of the people saying that of him.
Take care..
Tim.