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Decision Trance | ||
Have you ever imagined what Rock Music will evolve into? Well, look no further. Decision Trance provides us the answer to this question. From Newport, Kentucky, Decision Trance is offering their fans a piece of their soul (their raw energy and love for rock music). What makes Decision Trance stand out the most is that the group has a mainstream appeal through their own original style. I absolutely love how the band is mixing several genres into their own nice take of each music styles. From Electronica to Alternative to Rock, Decision Trance has it covered. Here is a great spotlight that Danny Baker, of Decision Trance, set up for us recently.
Q. What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
A. The aspect that excites me the most right now is recording. You create this song and it ends up having potential to be heard by so many. There is sort of a magical part when you get to hear a new track no one has ever heard before and you’re setting there thinking "Wow. What was that? Was that me?" So, yes! It can be very exciting.
Q. What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?
A. Probably the production aspect. It's getting your songs to sound good and translating ideas to record that are discouraging sometimes. I'm no mix specialist by any means, so mastering and EQ Tech stuff can be really tricky and difficult sometimes. You pour your soul out on a track and you find out it didn't record or something like that. And you think "can I do that again?" It's really disheartening for sure.
Q. What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).
A. I'm still recording and creating at this point. The great thing is I have an excellent company I will be working with to produce the actual CD. So when I get these tracks together rough or not, they can hook me up on the professional mix and all that. Also, I am soon ready to rehearse all this new material and get ready for some live shows. That's where I'll shine. That's what I'm up to.
Q. What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?
A. Oh man. I'd say the men's restroom at one of our early rehearsal spots. The guy who was recording our stuff's room was like so small. So the bathroom was right next door. We ran all the cables and got set up. Occasionally, some anonymous dude would come in and we'd stop, let him do his thing, and then continue. It affected the recording because it made a good makeshift vocal booth that I could really get a solid sound out of. I've also recorded in showers because they to make a great isolation style booth for vocals.
Q. In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?
A. I live in a city like atmosphere, so I think it affects my music in a way of being open to so many possibilities. There is so much culture in the city as opposed to outside of it. I have also lived in the country far from "the city", and it kinda makes you want to play soul music and connect to people from the heartland. They might not like the futuristic vibe of the city so, where you’re at totally has an effect.
Q. When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?
A. The latest song I have written is “The Trail of Tears." I've had this concept for a while to try and translate the emotions of that into song, the hurt, the pain, and the liberating unbridled spirit of the Native Americans. I have Native American roots in my family, so I tried to put myself there with them. I'm using this shaman style Indian flute as the main force in the music. It truly is beautiful to hear the climaxing freedom in this song. Stay tuned for this one.
Q. As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?
A. I find myself less interested I guess. I kind of resort back to the things that I really like. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I believe "they don't make em like they used to." I do still occasionally find something new that I like, but nothing that really excites me as much as older stuff. I think it is that way because you become detached to new stuff that all sounds the same. You wanna rock something original ya know.
Q. Lately, what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)
A. I'm actually drawn to 80's new wave and just old school feel-good songs. I can rock out some Depeche Mode then some James Brown. Elvis then some Alice In Chains. I like a lot of old country too. Like Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. I don't necessarily listen to my style of music all the time.
Q. Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?
A. Tracy Chapman. Hands down. She is so incredible on her delivery. You actually feel her pain and hopes and dreams. I think more people should be listening to her because she is a real artist with something important to say. She is a great storyteller. I grew up on that sound, and it influenced me to always think of the less fortunate who are struggling in this world. My all-time favorite recording by her is "Fast Car." It's the most honest, real, amazing song because that is the voice of struggle, real everyday heartache and disappointment. Very cool.
Music Now: I would have to agree with you on this one here.
Q. What's the saddest song you've ever heard?
A. I would say "Am I Inside" by Alice In Chains. This is on the album "Sap". This is so sad because it is the sound of a man who has lost all hope and who is consumed by despair. There is a haunting kind of feeling to the song, and just a darkness overall. Truly, the saddest song ever!
MySpace Account:
http://www.myspace.com/decisiontrance1
Photo used in this story was provided by Danny Baker.
