Interviews: DALI VAN GOGH

This is a new interview with the Hard Rock band DALI VAN GOGH from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Back in high school, our guitarist Isaac Kent and I were in an amateur band with another friend, Dave LeRue. We were sitting in Isaac’s kitchen trying to think of new band names and Dave pointed to the 2 posters that were on the wall. One was a compilation of the best of Salvador Dali and the other of Vincent Van Gogh. He jokingly said, “How about Dali Van Gogh?” We laughed about it and ultimately chose a different name. Not long after that, the band split up as Dave began to focus more on visual art (a field he is now having so much success in) and I went on to study music in college. The name always stuck with Isaac, so when he started what would become DVG he chose the name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I grew up listening to the music my parents listened to, which was for the most part classic rock and roll. As a teenager, I became interested in other sub-genres of rock such as emo, punk, alternative, brit-rock, etc. When people ask me to define our genre all I can say is “rock”. We have influences from all different types.

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

As I mentioned before I had known Isaac before the formation of Dali Van Gogh. I wasn’t in the first few incarnations of it, but it was nice to know a familiar face when I eventually joined in 2019. I met our drummer Johnny Moore when I first joined, and then we all met Lance Hicks a year later.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

My favourite band changes depending on the day and what mood I’m in. Currently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Marianas Trench, a fantastic Canadian band that I’ve been following since they first formed. I love how each album they have is so cohesive and tells a story. Their songs also contain some amazing group harmonies.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I’ve taken inspiration from past heartbreaks, bad friendships and stuff I’ve witnessed in society. Sometimes the inspiration doesn’t always match the tone of the finished song though. For example, I once wrote a really upbeat, silly song while crying over a boy.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was a few weeks ago at the Fleet Club Atlantic. It's the on-base bar at CFB Halifax that isn’t open to the general public, only for serving members of the military. Over the past few years, we’ve created a relationship with the armed forces and have played at multiple bases. We had a whole cross-Canada bases tour planned out before Covid first hit us in 2020, and are starting to put some plans in place to pick that up again next year we hope.

7. Where would you like to act?

A dream of mine would be to play a show (either as an opening act or ideally the headliner) at the Scotiabank Centre (Formerly known as the Metro Centre) here in Halifax. It's our big, hometown arena. I’ve seen so many fantastic artists perform there and to play for a crowd that large in my hometown would be a dream come true.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Playing with a successful woman-fronted band would be so cool. I’d love to open up for The Pretty Reckless or Evanescence maybe. There aren’t as many women featured in rock and I’d like to see that change in the future.

9. Whom not?

I wouldn’t want to play with anyone problematic or that has too far-right leaning political views. As a queer woman, I have strong morals and values when it comes to that kind of thing. I’m not going to name anyone but I’m sure there are a few who I would not feel comfortable performing with.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I suffered from terrible stage fright as a child while performing in piano recitals. I remember my first voice recital when I was 15, it was a disaster because I couldn’t handle my nerves and I cried when I was finished. Getting into Musical Theatre when I reached high school really helped my stage fright and showed me how fun performing could be. These days performing comes easily, but it took work to get there.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We take a lot of inspiration from other Canadian rock bands such as Monster Truck, Glorious Sons, The Trews, Rush, etc. There has been so much amazing talent to come out of this country and we are very proud of that.

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

I can’t think of anything specific that a fan has ever asked me. I do find it amusing to talk to fans after a show who have perhaps had too much to drink. Trying to figure out what they’re trying to say is a fun game.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I love them. I know everyone says it but we honestly wouldn’t be where we are today without them. I find it weird to call them fans though, I like to think of them as friends! Especially the really dedicated ones who see our shows regularly or travel long distances to see us.

14. What do you think of our site?

I took some time to peruse the website and I think it’s awesome. It’s very user friendly which is something I like. I don’t have the patience to get lost online. And it's great to see so much coverage on there for independent or newly signed bands like us. There is a lot of coverage out there for people like the Foo Fighters or Motley Crew, but not as much for newer music, so it's great to have support from you guys.

15. Something to add?

Our record, "New Blood, Old Wounds" comes out June 24th! It will be available on CD and wherever you stream your music! You can pre-save it on Spotify and get access to our new single Savanna ahead of the release by going to our website and following the directions there: www.dalivangoghmusic.com