The Commonwealth Times Contributing Writer




What separates undiscovered talent from ordinary bands trying to make it big? A little bit of magic. It is with great will power that I refrain from littering this article with references to everyone form Queen and Zeppelin to the Jackson Five. Not because this band of brothers replicates the sounds of bands that precede them, not because there’s a lack of words to describe the music, the soulful heart-thumping music, but because I want to convey the grandeur this group of musicians inspires.
Embedded in the VCU dominated town of Richmond, Virginia is a band so insightful, majestic, and passionate, you’ll scarcely believe they’ve just finished puberty. Duchess of York is creating a rumbling in the downtown Richmond scene, that is uprooting music fans from the woodwork, and giving them a new band to idolize. I am one of those adoring fans. Hearing their music for the first time only a few short months ago, has labeled me a life-long fan. I’m talking stick with them through thick and thin, die hard, scream at the top of my lungs, and make no apologies fan. That ability, the ability to capture adoration and devotion with music alone, is the magic that Michael York, Austin York, Jacob Shank, and Constantine (Dean) Giavos possess.
When these magicians join forces, they conjure music that could have easily filled the entire Almost Famous soundtrack, Elton John or no Elton John. They are a wonderful mix of old school rock, reggae, glam and metal. With compelling ballads like “Half Moon”, where vocalist Michael York croons, “If you want me to stay, I think I’ll think I’ll quietly go…” they even channel the late Johnny Cash with poignancy not often seen in people of their years. On the anthem- inspiring “Little Boom Box”, (which could easily be the next “We Will Rock You”, blasting before sports event from now until eternity), DOY switches gears completely. They pound out a hard-hitting and undeniably cool track: the likes of which they’re most known for. But it is on the band’s newest single “Tangle Me Up” which shows their talent, as musicians most profoundly.
This masterpiece of no uncertain standing, begins, with a daunting, nursery rhyme of a guitar solo, that slowly gets murkier as Austin and Dean quietly make their entrance, which last all of forty seconds. Even at a stage so early in their career, Duchess of York can make you wait, and want for the meat of the song to commerce, without losing your interest. Now, without warning or fumble, a clean transition into the loud, soul metal, that only they can produce. As if that weren’t enough, “Tangle Me Up” then takes a spin to 1970’s Kingston, where they “play that funky music, white boy”, and yet again showcase their uniqueness. You can instantaneously picture the hazes of smoke surrounding the youthful entertainers, and smell the incense burning as they whale “Ta-a-a-a-a-angle me up!” as gloriously as if has ever been sung. In a song with lyrics intimate and important, Duchess relies solely on the music. There are no tricks, trips, or pretentious guitar solos; just the artfully created rhythms that have built the band of tomorrow their unwavering following. If your itching to hear this celebrated band, visit myspace.com/doymusic and have a listen.

-Erika Wilkins

Who is DOY and how did the band form?

I formed it while meeting Dean, the drummer, at Binford Middle School on Floyd. It started as a British Invasion/Blues Garage Rock band, and it was just a two piece.

Describe your style and genre of music.

Currently with the new stuff, I think we sound like a crossbreed between 80s pop, 60s motown/even with afrobeat elements, and psychedelic hard rock. I know it's a weird combo, but just trust me, you'll like it.

Does DOY find themselves writing about things going on in the city of Richmond?

There will always be integral parts of our hometown in our music. Everything is interrelated, whether it be friends, art, fashion, films, sports, tragedy or music. It's all here and it's where we live, so a great deal of the music pertains to Richmond and everyday life. Everything may not be pristine and the way we like it but it's our natural environment and we all grew up here.

Has DOY made "that" song that defines them?

I think I'm getting better everyday with the writing aspect of the band, and I do collaborate with my brother Austin and Jacob on a lot of things, which helps diversity. We are still growing as musicians and broadening our influences & styles, but even more importantly, learning how to make a batch of songs correlate. On the new album(due next month) there are several "that" songs that represent us well as Duchess Of York. A certain demographic may not like one song, but they'll definitely find another immediately catchy tune that they can bob their head to.

What is the main goal for DOY and their music?

Make memorable music that will last and try to be respected as people, musicians, songwriters, and innovators.

Does DOY make music for the listeners, self-enjoyment, or both?

I'd say both, but the fans haven't been completely outraged with anything we've done yet, so for now, i'd like to say it's strictly self-enjoyment.

Fashion

Where are some of your favorite places to shop?

Fan Thrift, Salvation Army, Anything Online or Made In Bangladesh, Ebay

Would you say DOY is a fashionable band?

Yes, we like to express ourselves through what we wear too. I think individual fashion sense is imperative when you're first meeting someone. It's an initial representation of what you want to be percieved as.

If DOY made clothing instead of music, what would their brand consist of?

First off, we'd have to make an official boot, because you can't find a classic boot in any VA store unless you want to look like Elton John 1973 yellow brick road tour. Secondly, fine denim, preferably similar to spandex. Not really, but we do need tight denim in dark blue, a classic blue wash, and black coated jeans. Third, we have to have vintage basketball tshirts from the 70's, 80's, & 90's of each dope team, like reissues...Lakers, Pistons, 76ers, The Bulls, etc. Also, a very important article of clothing would be the leather jacket(grey, black, & dark maroon). Lastly, we'd have 3 piece suits, tailored to your body specs, and whoever purchased the clothes, the funds would go to the assassination of whoever wears northface fleece.

Would you say Richmond, VA is a fashionable city?

Absolutely, and much of it has to do with the youth at VCU. Without VCU Richmond would be a rising tide of conformity when it comes to fashion.

Would someone in DOY buy first a perfect article of clothing or a musical instrument?

As much as I love clothes, I'm gonna have to go with the instrument. Buuuut only on one condition...if it's the original Beat It MJ Jacket for a reasonable price.

Richmond

What is the thing DOY loves most about Richmond?

It's easy to get by and not fade away. It's a Love Hate thing. Richmond is such a small city and everyone knows each other which is good for promotional and networking purposes.

Richmond is know for crime and other negative acts, would DOY ever make a song about how they view the city?

We do, and more recently have tried to incorporate these things in our music lyrically, but not in a pessimistic way, only in an observant, realistic point of view.

Where is DOY's favorite place to visit in Richmond?

Maymont, Hollywood Cemetary

Best place to shop in Richmond would be?

Thrift Stores for clothes, Plan 9 for records

If you could describe Richmond in one word it would be?

Scrumptrulescent

Just wanted to let everyone know how much fun we all had April 19th. The show was a great success and the Dead Goats were outstanding!

 

Check out the DEAD GOATS and support local music. They are a remarkable.

Stay tuned for new show dates, because we may be planning another nut cuttin' performance with the Deacons of Distortion, the Kings of Crunch, the Sultans of Shred, or as i like to call them....... The Dead Goats.

Until music brings us together again, we'll see you then.

 

-Michael

Duchess of York, "Era in Static"

You just can't put a price tag on talent. Nor, it seems, an accurate age. Suffice to say that Duchess of York, formerly The Rising Sons, plays beyond its years and gets better with every performance. And like Kings of Leon or, let's see, the Jackson 5, the tightness of the band may be in the blood. The Yorks' blood, that is: singer/guitarist Michael, bassist/brother Austin, guitarist/brother Beck. Along with drummer Constantine Giavos, they've been tight since practically the womb, one would imagine, and all share a vision for the purest, loudest kind of rock.

That vision is given ample opportunity on "Era in Static," the group's first full-length, with jangly guitars, long, sweeping solos, and unexpected twists and turns that defy its high-school origins. Also heard are all the elements of the ancestors, bands like The White Stripes, Zeppelin and, ah, the long and venerable list on their MySpace page. How they'll distinguish themselves against those noble forebears will be the true (and most interesting) challenge for Duchess of York. For now, their boundaries are defined by the underwear-thrower "Animal City," which is straightforward and great loud, and the sublime "Shine," which throws off a lovely, mellow light. It's carried by Michael's voice, which continues to shape the sound as the edge is worn off his teenage rasp. Somewhere down the road, they'll be prepared to consider the deepest blues from which the bands of that MySpace list first emerged. — Brandon Reynolds