Abby Schachter for Curtains Up
“They don’t want to care about the Century of American and British policy that led to the mess the world is in. They have so much information at their fingertips but they just want to tune it out and get on with socializing and worrying about their own little lives. The past is overwhelming to them I think.” -Son of Dave on millennials and the past.
CURTAINS UP Abby Elizabeth interviews UK based artist Son of Dave on his show this SATURDAY SEPT. 17TH at Le Cajibi, his upcoming tour, the underground scene, denial drone millennials and other weird crap.
1Q- This is your seventh album and you’ve made quite the name for yourself in N. America. What made you decide to do a Canadian Tour?
Nice to meet you too! I’ve made a name for myself in the UK and France. North America has been an online relationship only. They find son of Dave tunes in their TV shows like Breaking Bad and Preacher, and through word of mouth. I haven’t toured the states or Canada much. I figured it’s time to re-acquaint. I’m testing whether it’s safe to come home yet! Mixed results. Some cities are bringing out nice audiences, others aren’t. In Europe for the last 19 years I’ve been taking the train to shows mostly (festivals need wheels to haul all the extras needed for camping and survival). Here in Canada the distances are greater and the cost of crossing the pond and getting around here is regrettably high. I’m robbing kids outside seven elevens though, which helps pay for snack money!
2Q- Good, those loiterers should know better than to hang out in front of a seven/eleven anyhow. You’ve been living in the UK for a while now; can you tell us how the music scene differs there? Are there emerging musical trends, Canadians don’t even know about or should know about?
Nineteen years. Sheesh, I can’t believe it myself. The Brits and most Europeans are loud passionate concert and festival goers. Live music shrank during the DJ years, but hasn’t lost its hold. Here in NA, a lot of venues struggle against the discos (aka clubs*). Especially in the big cities. I think it’s a bit healthier in the UK and France. A bit. The young rutting party kids don’t go to concerts. They don’t want to have to care about the many decades of music that led to a new sound. They don’t want to care about the Century of American and British policy that led to the mess the world is in. They have so much information at their fingertips but they just want to tune it out and get on with socializing and worrying about their own little lives. The past is overwhelming to them I think. A music movement just doesn’t carry the weight it once did cause it’s always gonna be compared to the 40’s 50’s 60’s 70’s 80’s 90’s...If there’s a new music style in London, I wouldn’t know about it. I’m just trying to get on with my own little life. Heh heh.
3Q-Your new album: Son of Dave plays 13 EXPLOSIVE HITS by other artists is compilation of cover. Do you find that the songs you cover on your latest album; although older, hold the same relevance and messages as today’s modern music?
To which songs are you referring? Daft Punk’s Harder Better Faster Stronger? That’s a few years older, yes. Paloma Faith’s “Can’t Rely On You”? That’s a year or two old. Regimental’s “Not Giving In”? That’s a couple years old. John Lee Hooker’s “Burning Hell” is much older, sure. Like I said, having a century of popular recorded music to reference intimidates some people, so they don’t know where to start. I enjoy it, myself. My fans understand this, and love a good cover song from any decade. Son of Dave doesn’t make it easy for those who listen to modern music alone, but new fans come in through hearing a version of their Dizzee Rascal tune or whatever that they find interesting, and maybe even better than the high production tarted-up shit they are being pushed by what’s left of the music industry. Heh heh, I’m bitter eh?
“Is there an underground scene? Is there any scene left? I think the misconception is that there is a scene. The scene is all happening on people’s screens now”-Son of Dave
4Q Bitterness breeds creativity…*ahem. You’re a radio host in the UK, what would you say is the biggest misconception when it comes to newer music and the underground scene?
Is there an underground scene? Is there any scene left? I think the misconception is that there is a scene. The scene is all happening on people’s screens now. It aint radio, it aint concerts, sure aint albums. Social media is the scene. The kids just wanna send photos around with a backdrop of music. As they grow, they might look into the history and be inspired or not.
5Q-Do you feel that cover songs encourage millennials to explore older music and artists; gain new insight and inspiration? You also cover songs. What inspired you to re-create such a variety of hits, spanning across the ages and genres?
I write tunes mostly. My own songs are the ones that got used in Breaking Bad and Preacher and stuff. But I play covers at shows for the fun of it. I compiled 13 of them for the same reason. The fun of it. Sure do hope it finds some new fans of course, but I’ll be ok regardless. If I have the effect of making someone young go look up John Lee Hooker or Daft Punk or AC/DC then that’s a bonus. I don’t have high hopes though. They don’t want to have to look shit up. They just want to be left alone to grow their beards and scratch ’em.
6Q-Canadian music; only recently has it been gaining some much earned notoriety. Can you name a couple of your favorite Can-Con artists?
Paul Reddick has a new album. It’s great. Not the same old blues shit. My buddy Ben Sures keeps on trucking. I love him. Successful Canadian bands? I don’t know many. Last Canadian album i bought was Snack Time. I’m the wrong person to ask, man.
“They don’t want to have to look shit up. They just want to be left alone to grow their beards and scratch ’em.” – Son of Dave on the new millennial music scene
7Q- Do you have a favorite province to perform in? Are all the Canadian cities pretty similar when it comes to the music scene or have you noticed certain differences in regards to the audience energy level?
As tempting as it is to get into that shit flinging contest, I’ll not say nuthin’. Smaller places receive bands with more enthusiasm than bigger cities where they are sometimes spoilt for entertainment. Toronto is always a bitch but I do hope to impress her one day.
8Q- If you had to describe this new album in one word; what would it be?
Affordable. I wish I had more than one word, but you get my point.
9Q- How do you re-create a song and make it your own? Is it a difficult process?
Because I use such weird ingredients, harmonica and beatbox, a couple shakers and stomping my foot, it’s not hard to make it would different than the original. If I put guitar in it, that’s the big normalizer. If we stacked all the guitars in the world end on end, they would stretch to the moon. Food for thought.
The process for making a tune mine is a vulgar process which people don’t, thankfully, have to hear. It’s a lot of grunting and screwing up and getting the words and chords wrong.
“Toronto is always a bitch but I do hope to impress her one day.”- Son of Dave
10Q- What can we expect at the Montreal show and why should Montrealers make sure to catch it?I have high hopes for the show this Saturday at le Cagibi. It’s a small place, a good size to meet a new audience. If there is any extra incentive needed, I can offer a shed to stay in London. Hmm. That’s not gonna work. Seriously, thanks for this interview. I can promise to give my total and full best effort at the show. I NEED you on my side. I MUST play show sin Montreal more often. You have a magic city, a place that defies convention and is one of the gems of North America. Please come.
I NEED you on my side. I MUST play shows in Montreal more often. You have a magic city, a place that defies convention and is one of the gems of North America. Please come.
Son of Dave is performing at Le Cajibi Saturday September 17th, one of my personal favorite venues! Don’t miss out on an unforgettable experience, some awesome showmanship and frontman who doesn’t shy away from pure unadulterated inappropriateness! A Perfect Saturday Night Event!
