Darker Still – Rock Band
Location – Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Members – Tony Bertucci, Patrick Lockman, Quinn Lockman, Mike Tsiourlis
Awards – semi-fina
Darker Still Interview
– What’s new in the world of Darker Still?
Patrick: There’s actually quite a lot new in the world of DARKER STILL. We’ve just recently joined the Star 1 Records family and are releasing our new self-titled EP (DARKER STILL) on Nov 15. Over the past several weeks our single “Never Too Late” has been picked up by numerous radio stations and has been getting a lot of action. Since September we have been interviewed live on air in Miami and have been featured in quite a few magazines. Just one week after it’s release, Never Too Late debuted at #9 on the DRT U.S. National Top 50 Rock Charts and has remained in the top 10 since.
– Can you talk about your EP coming out and how much work was put into it from start to finish?
Quinn: Our album involved a tremendous amount of effort and dedication. The driving to and from Toronto to go to the studio alone was hundreds of hours. Pouring over segments of music to think of improvements , listen for flaws , rewriting lyrics and making decisions about instrumentation.We searched for and hired phenomenal musicians to help on certain tracks like Time Too Shine and I Had It All. It was truly a rewarding process. That’s not to say it wasn’t at times grueling, tedious, frustrating and repetitive. These are the steps to perfecting that long sought after sound. In the end , I am relieved but also have bittersweet memories . I would like to begin the process again and look forward to album #2
– When writing a song, is there such a thing as investing too much time?
Quinn: That depends. As a songwriter, incomplete songs are inevitable. It can be because you are distracted by a more clear idea , or a seemingly better one. It can also be that you just don’t know what to do with it. In the end it depends on how much it sticks to you. I like to judge how much time I’m willing to invest in one of these “problem songs” by asking myself how much I value the parts that are complete. Should I keep adding my creativity to what is there or should I harvest it and spread it around to other songs that need parts. Also I try not to use excuses like the amount of time I have already spent on it to make it seem like I owe it to myself to finish it. If the song doesn’t give back, let it go.
– Do you have any tours coming up in the near future?
Patrick: At the moment we do not have a tour booked , however we will be booking college/university dates in the spring. Believe me , we’re very anxious to get out there and perform our music.
– How is the music scene in your area these days? Are clubs still popular?
Paul: The music scene in our area isn’t really the greatest for a rock band. Most venues are quite small and better suited for solo singer-songwriter acts. It’s far better to travel the two hours to Toronto and perform at clubs there. There seems to be a shift in music happening now , and it looks as though rock is making a real comeback. That’s good news for us, and hopefully the scene everywhere will improve.
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
Tony: My earliest musical influences came from my older sister. She’s 9 years older than me and I’ve always looked up to her. When i was very young she gave me my first 3 albums – Metallica, the Black Album, Pink Floyd – the Wall and Black Sabbath – Paranoid. I listened to those Cd’s on repeat for hours. Ultimately, that’s what led me into rock music.
– Is the band fans of Spotify and similar streaming services? What are your thoughts on this?
Quinn: I find Spotify interesting. Sites that try to play to a mood or feeling rather than a genre gives a different approach to discovering music. Certain things about this approach open doors for listeners without the need to invest too much time searching for bands they aren’t familiar with. Sadly, this comes at a price for independent bands who generally don’t get much exposure where people are pre-making play lists for others listening pleasure. I still like records and CNC Radio 2.
– In your opinion, which album would be essential to have if someone were stranded on a deserted island?
Patrick – Although it’s next to impossible to pick just one essential album, Moondance by Van Morrison is definitely something i can listen to over and over. I remember the first time that I heard the song Moondance, I immediately bought the album and have loved it ever since.
Tony – I can always listen to Queens of the Stone Age’s album “Like Clockwork”. I love that album start to finish. It has all of the highs and lows that I’ve grown to love about that band. To me it’s their best album.
Quinn – If I had to pick just one, I would have to say Mirage by Camel. No matter how many times I listen to it there’s more to discover, more things I haven’t yet paid attention to. I could never bore of how endlessly fascinated I get when I hear to it. However, it’s a tough question. Ask me again in an hour and I could pick a completely different band and album for the same reason.
– Where do you see music in general going in 20 years from now?
Tony: I don’t see music changing much honestly. Other than the media type we listen to. Music has mostly been the same for years. You get your hands on it in whatever form it comes in, be it CD , download or record. Then when the band comes to your hometown or the closest big town, you do whatever it takes to see them perform that music live. It’s always been that way for me.
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