“We are a female fronted, alternative metal band, based out of Toronto. This is Hell To Pay, a track off of our self-titled EP…”
The Toronto rockers took on the A-Z Questionnaire Challenge and below are their answers…
A SONG WHICH MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE MUSIC:
Elle: Forty Six & 2. Tool was one of the bands that made me fall in love with rock/metal and the complexity and uniqueness it possesses.
Nick: Estranged by Guns N’ Roses
Jiv: The Pot by Tool. So much interesting rhythm and melody in that song, very inspiring.
Matt: 22 Faces by Periphery
Russ: Know Your Enemy by Rage Against The Machine
BEST RIDER YOU HAVE EVER HAD:
We have not toured yet. Hopefully we’ll be on the road next summer!
CRAZIEST MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN THE BAND:
Pretty much any night in Oshawa is crazy!
DEEPEST LYRICS ONE OF YOUR SONGS FEATURES:
“Light on life
Death will shine
Death itself is not overly kind
Death itself slams life’s doors
Although for your mind
It opens more”
Death Itself – Darkstone Crows
EASIEST SONG YOU WROTE:
Sabbath Blues and White Dust. These are our first two originals which we don’t play anymore.
FAVOURITE SONG IN YOUR SET:
Elle, Nick & Matt: Piece Of Mind
Jiv: Eyes Of The Doll
Russ: Surfacing
GUEST YOU’D MOST LIKE TO FEATURE ON YOUR RECORD:
Elle: David Draiman. I would absolutely love to sing with him.
Nick: Richie Nguyen of Odd Ones
Jiv: Randy Blythe
Matt: Aaron Marshall (INTRVLS) or PILINI
Russ: Howard Jones (even though he’s retired)
HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND:
There’s a few. Keeping a steady line up is very hard as you must find people you get along with, write well with and have the same vision and dedication as. All of these things are hard to find in a musician, but right now, we’re pretty confident in the line up. This, as well as continuing to produce fresh ideas, making music we all connect with and time management.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS:
NICK USED TO BULLY MATT IN HIGHSCHOOL HAHA.
JOKES YOU HAVE IN THE BAND:
RUSS IS THE “DAD” OF THE BAND.
KEY TO WRITING A SONG:
Being open minded to everyone’s ideas and experimenting with new writing styles and techniques. Also, just simply putting your heart and soul into it.
LONGEST DISTANCE YOU’VE TRAVELLED TO PLAY A SHOW:
Five hours to Pembroke for a live performance and interview.
MOST INSPIRING MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED:
Elle: Dylan Murray. He deals with TS and the struggles that come with it, but once he starts playing, his tics go away. Very humble, extremely talented, young guitarist. Check him out!
Nick: Dan Donegan
Jiv: Lindsay Schoolcraft of Cradle of Filth for SURE. She’s a phenomenal musician who never ceases to amaze me, musically and personally.
Matt: My guitar teacher, Kevin Reid. He was my biggest influence and definitely my biggest role model in life. He is amazing.
Russ: KoRn live. Unreal musicianship and performance.
NEW BAND YOU’D RECOMMEND:
Elle: Dylan Murray Music
Nick: Odd Ones
Jiv: Dylan Murray Music
Matt: Odd Ones
Russ: KXM
OPENING FOR THIS BAND WOULD BE IDEAL:
Elle: Considering genre, I’d have to say Disturbed as we have a similar, heavy melodic approach to metal. I also saw them recently and am a huge fan of the group and David Draiman is one of my vocal influences.
Nick: Disturbed
Jiv: Halestorm. Chanel would just pass out!
Matt: Avenged Sevenfold
Russ: Halestorm or Billy Talent
PLACE YOU’D MOST LIKE TO TOUR:
Elle: Everywhere!
Nick: Toronto
Jiv: Europe is ideal for us in my opinion.
Matt: Europe or Australia
Russ: Australia. I’d go diving on my downtime for sure.
QUOTE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO READERS:
Elle: “The idea is, if I can’t heal from my art, then how can you heal?” (Maynard James Keenan)
Nick: “You’re not lost if you don’t know where you’re going”
Jiv: “It’s the business of music, kids, not the music business.”
Matt: “Always remember, and never forget… Damn I forgot what I was going to say.”
Russ: “History is written by the victor.”
REASON FOR THE TITLE OF YOUR RECENT/FORTHCOMING RELEASE:
Our previous EP was self-titled as that was our first single/demo/EP released as Darkstone Crows.
SEE US LIVE AT:
Rock The Brook Party on September 10th with No 2morrow (192 Glastonbury Rd Northbrook, ON)
The Atria on September 25th opening for Russian band, Arkona.
The Nocturne on October 9th for our buddy’s birthday.
THE OLD DAYS OF MUSIC WERE BETTER THAN THOSE CURRENT, DO YOU AGREE:
Yes. Pop music is currently dominating the music industry and the industry has become all about money and trends.
UNUSUAL MERCHANDISE:
Matching jammies
VARIATIONS YOU’D LIKE TO DO ON ANY OF YOUR SONGS:
Elle: I’d like to perform our song Adrift with a live orchestra. The song will be on our new album with piano, cello, harp and special guest, Lindsay Schoolcraft.
Nick: Death Itself was the song I wanted to really make a variation off of and it’s currently in the works as it will be on our new album!
Jiv: Slowing down the BPM and letting Elle really belt it out without the heaviness of the drums and loud guitars has always been something in the back of my head!
Matt: A heavy version of Adrift.
Russ: Orchestral version of Piece of Mind.
WHAT DO YOUR FANS MEAN TO YOU:
Everything. They’ve gotten us where we are and given us praise for our hard work and they will continue to do so. We love them.
X-RAYS OR ANY OTHER TREATMENTS NEEDED FOR BAND RELATED INJURIES:
Russ had a cast on for a couple of weeks because he snapped a tendon in his left thumb.
YOU’RE LATE FOR A SHOW, WHO’S FAULT IS IT:
Jiv’s. We once arrived 10 minutes before our set due to this lady. The set went well though and that’s never happened again. We’re professional, I swear, haha.
ZOO ANIMAL THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR BAND:
Are there crows at the zoo? Haha.