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Interview with Dharmata - 7/11/09 |
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Picture (Dharmata with www.orlandobands.com's Ben Gardner)
Interview with Dharmata
Composed by Erin Bisanti of ENBPhotography
What makes a band different from every
other band out there? Well when it comes to Dharmata there is a long
list of things. Yes they are a bunch
of guys that sing and play
instruments, but instead of sticking to the text book way of doing
things they tend to take the road less traveled and
pave their own
way into the music industry. Don't believe me? Check out their myspace
bio about how the band was formed. There you can read about watering
holes, space exploration, and IPhones! If you are still not convinced
then try the fact that they did the an entire tour with Skindred
without
even having a full length album under their belt. I had the chance to
sit down and have a chat with the guys before a show in Orlando and
found out a little more about the band Dharmata from West Palm Beach,
Florida.
Dharmata is:
Vocals: Jay (Slim)
Rhythm Guitarist: Greg Diamond Phillips
Lead Guitarist: Chris (Turbo)
Drums: J.C. (Chip Rommel)
Bass: Samich
Question: Is this your first time in Orlando?
Jay (Slim):
We just recently plated at the House of Blues in Orlando with
Skindred.We just got off a Midwest tour with Skindred. This is actually
our second time at the Haven.
Ben (OrlandoBands): Did you go to Ohio?
Chris (Turbo): Nope
Greg: We really wanted to say thank you Cleveland but it didn't happen.
Question: What is the difference between the scene in West Palm and here in Orlando?
Greg: There is a scene!
Jay (Slim):
West Palm has some great musicians but the whole area is more into just
chilling and going to the beach. It is hard to get all of anyone
motivated to play. Here is Orlando there is just an incredible amount
of bands.
Erin (OrlandoBands): Miami had some good bands.
Jay (Slim): We have not really gone that far.
Greg: West Palm has the older Metal scene.
Question: So what are your plans for the rest of the year?
Jay (Slim):
In the next few weeks we are doing to be recording our first album.
There has also been some talk about doing a full U.S. tour with
Skindred.
Question: Where are you recording your first full album?
Greg: The Powerstation in Pompano Beach. (http://www.myspace.com/powerstation - check out more about The Powerstation who have recorded with such artists as Aerosmith and Sevendust!)
Jay (Slim): We are doing to record a few tracks so that we about to shop around for a label.
Question: Who would you like to tour with in the future?
Jay (Slim):
We would like to tour with a band that gives their 150% every single
night. To keep us motivated and working just to be able to hang with
them.
Question: Do you have any endorsements?
Chris (Turbo): Not right now.
Jay (Slim): We are still trying to build up a momentum. We don't have a record so we are just playing as much as we possibly can right now.
Question:
Do you think you now that you have toured before recording that it will
change the sound when you finally get into record some tracks?
Jay (Slim):
It will have helped with some song selections with listening to the
crowds reactions. A band can say that their sound has changed or
developed but people will still say it sound like Dharmata.
Question: Your band brings to the stage three part harmony vocals; How do you come up with the harmonies?
Chris (Turbo): We sing acapella or with our accoustics.
Greg: Slim (Jay-Vocals) will write a lot from home and then we will just stand around and practice them.
Jay (Slim): It is not a cake walk and not a lot of people have done it or are doing it now. It is nice to have the ability to do them.
Ben (OrlandoBands): It is like a sai. You never know when you are going to need one. Then you can just pull it out when you do.
Jay (Slim): Didn't one of the ninja turtles have one?
Erin (OrlandoBands): Yeah to cut pizza... see useful.
Question: Are you coming back to Orlando soon?
Jay (Slim): You are actually playing ClubFirestone on August 28th.
Greg: We are headlining I think.
Chris (Turbo): We are?
Jay (Slim): Yeah...
Chris (Turbo): Good to know.
Question: So where can people do to check out Dharmata?
Jay (Slim): Our myspace. (www.myspace.com/dharmatamusic )
Greg: We have out demos on their. They are a year and a half old but we will have new stuff up soon.
Jay (Slim): There is a unique bio on there too.
Check out Dharmata on myspace and don't forget you can catch them live at Club Firestone on August 28th!