We like to start off all of our interviews with a roll call, so could you introduce yourselves and tell us what you do?

Hey, I am Rafe and I am really Trick of Disaster.  Sometimes other people come and go, but usually it is just me.

Your band is based out of ....Toronto...., what is the scene like where you are, and have you found it difficult to crack into?

Yep, it's super hard to get people out to shows, and to say that I have been successful in that area would be a lie.  I've found that I've been able to make a lot more fans through playing open mics then playing full out shows.  I've really mainly focused on my online fanbase, and have found a lot more success through that.

Tell us about how the band formed, what brought Trick of Disaster together?

Like I said before, I am really the only person.  Ya, I know it looks like there are three of us, that's because I have to update the pictures.  Those guys really just helped me with this reality show I was on that required a band.  I play with some other people now, but I'm primarily solo.  I think it has come from a love of writing song on my part and having those songs connect with people around the world.  That's what makes me happy :)

Where did the name for the band come from?

It is a lyric from the Neil Young song "Mr. Soul".  The line is "The clown on a frown who is sick does the Trick of Disaster".  Basically I went through every lyric I found and chose the one I liked most.  Since then it's come to mean a few things, a trick of disaster is like, when things seem to be going badly but you pull something out and it goes well.  That's a trick of Disaster.

What's been your best moment as a band so far?

A few I guess, making lots of fans, getting featured on a Toronto Station, being in a local newspaper, being on two different TV shows (one airing in the next few months) but really the best moment was when a kid told me that my music helps him with his personal problems.  Actually, that was good, but I really just said that cause it seems like a very artisty thing to say.  Touch one soul and all that.  But seriously, probably the radio show haha.

What can first-timers to a Trick of Disaster show expect to see live?

I really try to engage the audience as much as possible.  Try to get people to sing along which usually works.  I also am pretty good at improv-ing (is that how it's spelled?) anyway, I'm good at taking whatever comes up and go with it. 

What do you do to pump yourselves up for the show? Any pre or post show rituals?

Actually, I get super excited before any show, so it's more about making sure to chill out a little, if I have too much energy things could get a little out of control.  Just saying before the show "this is important, let's rock this".  And even if there is one person in the audience, I make sure to be super appreciative.  I hate when bands are lame about not bringing out a lot of people.  Why are you blaming the 10 people who actually came?  That's lame.  Post show I say "If anyone wants a hug I'll be over there".  Great move, stole it from Jenny Owen Youngs haha.

Do you have an ultimate goal for your music? Any things that you know you want to accomplish with it?

I suppose my ultimate goal would be if they made a stadium bigger than any stadium that they already have, like combine two stadiums together into one stadium, and fill it up...  I don't care about the money though, it could be a free show for all I care...  anyway, basically I want to get to the bridge of the song stop singing, and just listen to the crowd sing it back to me, and smile.  If at that point I got struck by lightning...  I think that would be a pretty good way to go.  Obviously international fame is a difficult accomplishment though, so I set lots of little goals that I accomplish all the time.  Every time someone comes up to me and says "that song is awesome, why is it not on the radio" I accomplished a goal. 

What should we expect to see in the future of Trick of Disaster?

Ahh, god only knows.  I'm recording an EP right now, with a pretty famous producer from ....Toronto.....  I want to get more into co-writing and maybe writing for others, cause that's really what it's about for me.  My Youtube channel where I put up my friends will probably eventually have 25 million hits haha (http://www.youtube.com/rafem), just cracked 7...  not exactly directly related to my music, but it’s fun to see others get success.  I’m going to start lots of side projects as well, see I write in lots of different styles and I used to group it all under Trick of Disaster, but see, people would come and say “I really like that song” that no one else likes, because it’s folk, so they leave.  So ya, splitting it up, you’ll see 4 or 5 Rafe projects in the next little while. 

The staff of The Sound Faction is comprised of six incredibly random girls whose primary goal is to just have fun.  We like to end our interviews with five totally random questions to end on a light note, do you think you can handle it?....

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I’m aroused…  I mean intrigued…  aroused, intrigued, can it be both?  Assuming you are over 18 that is.  Which some of you are, and some of you aren’t it looks like…  let’s stick with intrigued. 

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If you could be any Old School rock-god for a day, who would you be and how would you abuse the power?....

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This is going to sound lame but I would just be Neil Young and write a lot of good songs haha.  Laaame.

What is a fashion trend (male or female) that confuses you, and why?

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They all seem cool to me.  I’m a big believer in different strokes for different folks, people do what they do to be happy, and make themselves feel good, or feel accepted.  Whatever that is, who am I to judge. 

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What girly movie do you secretly love?....

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“She’s the Man” is actually amazing.  I love how I don’t have to worry, I know the guy and the girl will get together in the end haha.  Great movie. 

If you could be the Champion of Anything, what would it be and why?....

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I guess music…  that is what I like doing most.  I guess being Lebron James would be fun, or like, to stop a super terrorist attack and save a bunch of people, but ya, mainly music.

What is your favourite and least favourite dance craze?....

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My sister started a dance craze haha.  She was a counselor at a camp and she made a dance to “don’t feel like dancing”, and then they started doing it at all the bar mitzvah’s and no one knew why haha.  The soulja boy dance is pretty creative.  I would say “Macarena” as least favourite but that would be cliché…  so I am going to say no comment and dance how you wanna!

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Is there anything else you want to add?....

Ya, add me on myspace, send me a message and I promise I will message you back!  http://www.myspace.com/trickofdisaster