A Dirty Dozen with JOEY CHICAGO from DEVOUR THE DAY – November 2018

According to a recent press release: “Devour the Day have released a new single and accompanying music video for “The Censor”, taken from the band’s recently released studio album, Signals, which dropped October 26 via Razor & Tie. Devour the Day are also creating a 6-part documentary series telling the story of their #soundtracktoYOURstory tour, and all the amazing people they’ve met along the way, which will be launched in the weeks leading up to the release of the band’s third studio album.” We get the bassist Joey to discuss new music, influences, and much 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?

Our latest album release is SIGNALS, our third record as a band. First time through, you may not realize this album is really truly set-up for uninterrupted play, like on our vinyl version, which is available as well. There are two instrumental tracks on the record designed not only to give you big scapes and movements to allow your mind to wonder, but also to showcase the incredible tones that Dan Korneff (Sonic Debris Studios) helped us design.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I honestly think it has a lot to do with instant gratification, haha. I had been and still am a visual artist and spend a lot of time drawing and painting. At the time, when I started, I was so obsessed with my visual art, I was skipping and ditching academic classes to be down in the art department working on my next painting, listening to my heroes and influences through the speakers of the art dept. boombox. I wanted to be able to feel inspired and have the creation ready quickly, instantly getting the escape I desired so desperately.  I love that, with music, I’m singing or writing about what I am feeling at that very moment. The gratification and therapy were and are immediate and whether I’m 14 years old, or now, it’s still exactly what I need.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The bold and brave ones, the risk takers. I appreciate bands or artists who change and grow and experiment. I look for those artists everyday. When I was younger I was really influenced by my father and the singer/songwriters he would play and emulate. I had such a love of words and there powerful arrangements. The ballet of it all.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

It’s never that easy, but I’ll give you five that have been very influential. Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Flea, and Jim Croce/Johnny Cash.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Paul McCartney, because he is arguably one of the greatest of all time and I would love to talk about Lennon’s approach as well.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Our music is for life application, the band name is not a mistake, it’s a nudge. A push into a better direction. Positive and high energy organically driven sound with special attention to rhythm and groove. I don’t think we have ever been compared to something that made me cringe, in the moment, I know myself and I would just being doing my best to figure out what they are hearing that reminds them of that particular group. I try to find a way to stay positive even if I don’t like the comparison, may be something in there to learn.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The community that I am a part of. I have a role and responsibility within this world and I take it seriously and as a honor, which gives me purpose. I enjoy taking the power of artwork seriously, and respecting its ability to connect people in a deep and real way.

8. 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?

Ronnie, our drummer, is actually a chef and runs a popular gastropub in Toledo, he always cooks. I get the drinks, due to habit and severe lust for good bourbon. Blake, our singer, would be first to grab an acoustic and start a sing-a-long. Blake has a way of making people feel invited, he is a drummer at heart and does nothing like a usual lead singer. Parties with Blake around are always more fun.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I saw Rob Howard recently at LAX. I was speechless. I wanted so badly to get a picture or something, but I was frozen.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Painting and illustrating for a design firm. Creative strategy for a media company, or maybe writing on a major film production, something where I can wake up and create every day.

11. 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”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

There are so many. We have made every mistake at least once and a few twice. I’ve always been a “learn-the-hard-way” type of person. I think I would “do-over” some of the competitive attitudes I had as a younger artist, I wasted too much valuable time comparing myself to others, when it never really mattered.

12. 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?

Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon or Radiohead – OK Computer. No way you don’t walk out of either of those sessions without a boat load of knowledge and influence. These are what I would refer to as masterworks and a never ending meter for what musicians are capable of achieving.

DEVOUR THE DAY LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews