DANNY ECHO Interview:

1. PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your new project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Our latest album “Rock Bottoms Up” is our second release. Most of the songs were recorded at the same time as our first album,  but they had a more “rock and roll live” feel to them. These tunes are our favorite to play live as of late and we have gotten some great reviews of both the live renditions and recorded.

2. The Recording Process – there are so many interesting ways that music projects coming into being these days compared with what artists encountered years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

Well as i said, we recorded almost two albums of drum tracks over a three day period at Green House Studios here in Vancouver.  But to get the most out of  the three days with drummer Chris Warunki we rehearse all 18 songs for both albums in a jam space a week before. We also recorded him doing “one shots” and “Loops” for various editing.

After the first album was released we continued the process of chipping away with overdubbing in various basement suites. Being that Mark Christopher is not only a co-songwriter and guitarist, he is a professional sound recording engineer and has some amazing gear and talent. This saves a load of money and time in pro studios. Although we have to be more disciplined with the time spent on each song as there is no studio manager tell us were done!

I feel this is the best way for “Indie” bands to accomplish there dreams of making music. although you really need a bit of knowledge or knowledgeable friends, or just a bunch o money.

3. Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

Well we re-recorded Tomorrow Today which was on the first album as a radio single sa it was starting to get noticed on some local radio stations . One station in particular gave us an opportunity to recorded it again with producer Jeff Dawson

4.  As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of them helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

Were playing more shows in places that aren’t usually associated with live music. Trying to get in front of different crowds, outdoor fests, shopping malls, busking. Also being creative with how we get the music out to people flash drives, vinyl etc. We’re also pushing the music placement in films, TV and web-isodes.

I for one still love going to live shows and buying cds and hopefully gettin them signed by the artists! I do shop on Itunes and usually buy four to five albums at a time, Yes I said ALBUMS kiddies! I allways find the best songs are on the albums not just the singles!

6. So many artists are wrestling with different ways to approach the recording process now – I would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them.  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

I think we might put out two EPs next time as we have 6 songs almost in the can, and another 6 are writen and demoed allready. Pobably do Digital, small batch of physical and maybe a vinyl and USB flash drive “special edition”

7. What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

Our live shows are still so much fun and apparently very entertaining

So I work as a special effects tech in the Vancouver movie industry so I bring alot of things to our shows. Just recently we had a big show which we were recording for some pro live video epk thingies. I had my smoke machine, lights all the amps and yes he cameras plugged in and goin when halfway through the 4rth song, just as things were gettin good I turned the smoke on and “click” all the power on stage turned off!! Too much for the little club! After we got the power back we resumed right where we left off  and our editor stitched the whole song together with out a glitch, ah technology!

Damon Albarn! hes so creative with sounds and different arrangements with so many different styles

I love all the Brit pop bands from the 90s onward, The Flaming lips! loving Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, Fellow Vancouverites Mother Mother and Bend Sinister and fellow Canadians Joel Plaskett and Metric.

As for top 5 albums geez that s a hard one.. So In no order….. Abby Road, Who’s Next, Jeff Bucklys “Grace”, Oasis’ “Whats the story morning glory”, and Super Fury Animals “Rings Around The World”

Hmm well Mother Mothers’ Eureka, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ “Up From Below” and for a Gordon lightfoot Neil Young fix I love Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs” “God Willin and the creek don’t rise”

Funding is provided by my “day and sometimes night” job working as a Special Effects Technician in Vancouver Film industry. I make all the fires, rain on que, wind, snow, anything you need I esp love blowin stuff up!

No don’t own either as I don’t read enough as it is, terrible I know.

Best place is on our web site www.dannyecho.com

To order DANNY ECHO CDs – Go HERE