Introducing hard rock trio Dark Serenity…
Hello and thanks for taking time out to talk with us.
Can you first introduce the band and give us some background to how it all started?
We are Dark Serenity, composed of members Zach Barnes (bass), Kate Emrich (guitar and vocals), and Mike Bergamo (drums). We started writing music in Kate’s basement back in high school, which is where we met each other. We were brought together by a similar level of ambition in addition to the obvious shared interest in being in a band and creating music.
Had you been in other bands before?
We haven’t been involved in other bands before, but we went through a few line-up changes until we discovered which members would stick. I’m sure it led to a change in style and direction, because we are a group that values the insight of each individual member.
What inspired the band name?
The band name means that there is light in the dark, and more specifically that the motivation for life and light lies within the reality that death and darkness are inevitable.
Was there any specific idea behind the forming of the band and also in what you wanted it and your sound to offer?
We didn’t approach the formation of the band with the intention of sounding a certain way. We wanted to create a sound that sounded like us, one where each one of us used our respective influences to make our own sound.
And that instinct still primarily drives the band now it is more experienced or has new aspects evolved over time?
I would say the same things still drive us. Those things being the intent to succeed in our field and inspire others to do the same, as well as to live our own lives the way we want to.
Since your early days, how would you say your sound has evolved?
I would say our sound has matured, basically, as we have as musicians. We write in different song structures and utilize our instrument’s capabilities more fully. We can write parts that complement the other instrumentals more effectively, and more clearly communicate our messages.
Has it been more of an organic movement of sound or more the band deliberately wanting to try new things?
It’s both. When you deliberately try new things you tend to find a more of an organic movement and vice versa.
Presumably across the band there is a wide range of inspirations; are there any in particular which have impacted not only on the band’s music but your personal approach and ideas to creating and playing music?
We are inspired by the creations of many of the greats, such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Who. That being said we’ve never deliberately practiced their songwriting approaches.
Is there a particular process to the band’s songwriting?
Yes, typically we write by picking a key and a time signature, then doing an improv session within those specifications. The body of the song usually comes first, with the bass and drums; then the guitar, and then the vocals are written last.
Where do you, more often than not, draw the inspirations to the lyrical side of your songs?
More often than not our lyrics cover subjects that include and challenge societal norms. We have songs about deviating from said norms.
Could you give us some background to your latest release?
Our latest release is our debut album that we released last year. It’s called ‘Memento Mori’ and is eight tracks. It was a live tracked album, which we did on purpose to emulate the experience of a live performance.
Give us some insight to the themes and premise behind it and its songs
The themes we mentioned discussing our commonly used lyrical themes are the themes we applied to the tracks on this album.
Are you a band which goes into the studio with songs pretty much in their final state or prefer to develop them as you record?
We go into the studio with our songs completed. We don’t like bringing unfinished material because there’s no guarantee you will come out with something you’re happy with. When a song is complete there’s not really a question as to whether or not it will turn out like you had hoped.
Tell us about the live side to the band, obviously a favourite aspect of being in the band?
Live we deliver an animated and authentic performance. We’ve been told that our passion for what we do is obvious and felt throughout the room. We want to deliver the best version of ourselves.
It is not easy for any new band to make an impact regionally let alone nationally and further afield. How have you found it?
We have found it difficult yet worthwhile. We are lucky to have been brought up as musicians in the metro Detroit area where there are a lot of music fans and a decent number of live venues. It’s arguably harder to get your foot in the door when there are several other groups going for the same goals as you. However, in addition to that difficulty, you also find the most support from the other musicians. You have to work hard, break a sweat, then gain respect…But the respect that you gain is worth it.
How has the internet and social media impacted on the band to date? Do you see it as something positive within a realm flooded with artists and a short attention society or more of a necessary trial?
Bands nowadays need to utilize social media to their advantage, just like any other form of entrepreneur. You’re selling yourself as the product, basically, and in today’s market, you need to unapologetically market yourself with the tools everybody else is using to have a shot at mainstream success. So yeah, not being able to properly use social media can hurt your career, but most likely, will stunt your growth overall. There are obviously always exceptions to a rule, though.
Once again a big thanks for sharing time with us; anything you would like to add or reveal for the readers?
Thank you for having us! We just want to add that you can find our music on every streaming platform, and that you can find us on Facebook or Instagram. Please show us your support!
https://www.darkserenityofficial.com https://www.facebook.com/pg/darkserenityband https://www.instagram.com/darkserenityband https://twitter.com/Dark__Serenity
Pete RingMaster 06/11/019
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
You have just released your debut album, Care Plan For The Soul. From its first breath it shares a multi-flavoured, refreshingly dirty and just a little salacious roar of sound and intent; a mix which suggests a varied range of inspirations to the band and individual members. Who particularly stands out as having an impact on your approach to making music?
Give us an insight into the live side of the band?
Embracing inspirations from the likes of The Stones, The Who, and Oasis, the Bolton hailing quartet has earned a strong reputation for writing tracks which roar with heart as they infest body and spirit; traits shaping previous plaudit grabbing singles such as One Last Time and Nothing Changes. Got My Star is more of the same goodness but undoubtedly a new flavour in the band’s maturing sound and creative imagination too.
Through the predatory landscape and infection clad swing of the outstanding This Town the album hits a new plateau, the track a boisterous funk lined stomp with a defiant snarl on every corner. Its individual nature adds to the already open variety within release and Renegade Twelve sound, a diversity further stretched by the power balladry/classic metal blaze of War Plane and in turn the epic yet intimate bellow of Somme. The first of the two leaves nothing to be dissatisfied with but is overshadowed by its surrounding companions with the sensational second of the two pure creative theatre with no signs of indulgence or wasteful seconds.
Not Afraid follows and quickly eclipses its predecessor as a thick wall of dramatic rhythmic and sonic energy hits ears. The song soon relaxes as Thayer’s vocals begin sharing melodic sighs and expression though the bass continues to bring dark shadows while prowling the calmer waters, lurking and waiting to join the frequent expulsions of that initial energy with erupt. It is gripping stuff reminding of British artist Johnny Wore Black, and with great unpredictability to its twists and dark hues to its emotion easily takes best song honours upon the EP.
The Bluebook Project hails from Bedfordshire and draw on inspirations from the likes of Iggy Pop, The Who, The Ramones, and Oasis. Formed in 2013, the quartet has gone from strength to strength as a live proposition and with releases, beginning with the 2014 unveiled debut EP Out of the Blue. Its ear pleasing introduction to the band was backed by a perpetual flow of live shows which included support slots with the likes of Slaves and Coasts before the foursome of vocalist/bassist Dan Thorn, guitarists Dan Watson and Jordan Smith, and drummer Benn Davis set about recording the Take Me Away EP. Its success is history but sure to be emulated with the unleashing of Pockets of Dirty Change.
Was there any specific idea behind the forming of the band and if so has it changed?
It is not easy for any new band to make an impact regionally let alone nationally and further afield. How have you found it your neck of the woods?