10 Quick Ones with WILDEYES – August 2017
According to a recent press release: “Los Angeles, California Rock band WildEyes announced the premiere of their video for single “Messin Around” off of their debut EP titled Know Me Now on AlternativeNation.net. “Messin’ Around” is about breaking free from the boundaries that other people create for you. Sometimes we all can feel trapped by people or even places and this song represents finding the confidence and strength in yourself to move forward” Says lead vocalist Crystal Douesnard.” We get members Crystal and Thomas to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, their influences, and more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
Crystal: I really don’t like to give too much away when it comes to songs and lyrics. I like to leave it a bit of a mystery so that people can interpret it however they see fit for them! That’s the cool part about music is that it can mean something to so many different people because they relate to it on their own level.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
Thomas: When I first heard Metallica’s Black album when I was 11, it changed my life and I knew right then that I wanted to play guitar.
Crystal: I was probably about five years old when I discovered Michael Jackson. I was/am absolutely obsessed. And ever since then I have been a singer and performer.
3. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Crystal: As a band, definitely Metallica, Journey, Black Sabbath, My Chemical Romance, and Paramore.
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?
Thomas: James Hetfield for sure.
Crystal: I would have to say Lady Gaga! Love her.
5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?
Crystal: It’s a great blend of modern pop/rock mixed with the nostalgic vibe of 80s rock!
6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?
Thomas: Being constantly moving and constantly writing.
Crystal: Having something to channel any kind of depression or anxiety into in a healthy way is great. Singing is such an escape for me.
7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Thomas: Crystal always cooks and does the singalongs, obviously. I’m usually the one encouraging people to go drink a 40 of King Cobra or something.
8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?
Thomas: I would go around and break into animal testing facilities and save all the animals, is that a job?
Crystal: I would be doing musical theatre for sure. But I would definitely join in with Thomas breaking into animal testing facilities on the side!
9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?
Crystal: I feel like in this industry you can’t have too many regrets. You just have to learn and use it to move forward. I would say we definitely we are just a lot more wary and cautious of who to trust. There’s a lot of people who will say the right thing but won’t be able to back it up.
10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you
Thomas: Led Zeppelin IV. It’s just such an iconic album with some of the greatest songs ever written. There’s so much magic and darkness in it. Hope that Jimmy Page wouldn’t sacrifice me though.
Crystal: I would absolutely say Michael Jackson’s Bad album! There’s a reason why it’s done so well for so many years. That album has many songs that continue to inspire me constantly and can appeal to so many generations. It’s pop and rock perfectly mixed together. I would love to see the genius at work!
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Category: Interviews