Interviews: Dali

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Dali from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Jack: I was at a house party and I saw a Salavdor Dali painting, and for some reason his name and arrt stuck with me, and when I proposed the band name to Matt, along with some other potential band names, that was the one that resonated with us all.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Pete: When we put all our influences together and started writing and this was the sound that was naturally produced.

Matt: We wanted all the music from Dali to be organic, I think we never decided on a genre but we just write what we feel sounds good.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Matt: Me, Pete & Ewan all knew each other prior to the bands inception, myself and Pete were in a band before Dali & Ewan was our photographer. Jack moved down last year to start the band.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Pete: It changes all the time!

Matt: Agreed! Mine changes with the seasons, probably Manic Street Preachers, The Clash or Lower than Atlantis. Although at the moment im really into Citizen & Basement.

Ewan: Architects or Enter Shikari, depends on my mood.

Jack: I’m with Matt and Pete on this one. Changes with the seasons. Although, the one band that has continuously stood the test of time for me is Envy On The Coast (Low Country). I’m really into my old school Americana/Heartland kinda stuff. John Mellencamp, Springsteen etc that never changes.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Matt: Personal experiences, I think writing about something that is alien to you seems pointless as there is little substance to it. I think that’s what gives a song life is having a connection with it.

Pete: I write best when emotions are high for me, good and bad, it’s a good outlet.

6. Where was your last gig?

Ewan: At Heartbreakers in Southampton, was a really good show, great turn out. Our single release show for our new single is on the 30th of November at Suburbia in Southampton, we can't wait for that.

7. Where would you like to play?

Matt: Ally pally.

Ewan: Scotland, Glasgow or Edinburgh because it would be nice to play to my scottish family. But Ally Pally is a close 2nd.

Jack: Brixton Academy.

8. Who would you like to support?

Matt: I think where we all have such different styles and bands we like, I think you’d get four separate answers! Maybe Deaf Havana, Citizen, Placebo to name a few.

Ewan: We'd be happy on almost any bill, as long as it gives us the chance to play to people we haven't played in front of before.

9. Who not?

Matt: Jedward, probably?

Ewan: Boris Johnson.

Pete: Nickelback.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Matt: I play each show like it's my last, spend time with the boys before we go on, they give me confidence. Also, I find it quite therapeutic when I warm up, I sort of talk myself down.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Pete: One of the reasons I believe Dali sounds so unique is because we all have vastly different music tastes, for example I'm heavily influenced by Pink floyd & Jimi Hendrix, which is completely different from the other boys.

Ewan: What I listen to and what I play is very different, as some of my favourite bands are the much heavier side of music like Architects or Northlane. In terms of my approach to bass and vocals in this band I take loads of inspiration from Enter Shikari.

Matt: My influences really lie within the ‘80s post punk era with bands like The Smiths, The Cure and The Clash. I also take influence from more current rock bands like Lower Than Atlantis, Deaf Havana, Basement & Citizen to name a few.

Jack: I’m influenced by anything I am listening to at the time. I tend to get completely obsessed over a particular sound and/or genre and will just listen to that almost exclusively for extended periods of time. I guess I could say the two main influences which, I feel, I carry the most into my position in Dali would be early Paramore (Riot/Brand New Eyes) and Envy On The Coast (Low Country).

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Pete: We’ve had no weird requests, yet. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Jack: So, recently I’ve been stopped a few times around having been recognized from being in Dali, which is mad, and every time I’ve spoken to them and had a conversation they’ve always been really really cool, kind and friendly. They’re great!

14. What do you think of our site?

All: Yeah it’s really cool, thank you very much for choosing to interview us!

15. Something to add?

Matt: We’re all good, thank you again!