A Dirty Dozen with RAY PATRICKS and DAN STROUD from LAST KISS GOODNIGHT – October 2019

According to a recent press release: “Alt rock band Last Kiss Goodnight (LKG) – whose breakthrough single “Love Separation” debuted among the top five on the Most Added Billboard Mainstream Indicator Chart and nabbed the coveted #1 spot on the Most Added Foundations Chart Week – has revealed that their much-anticipated album Immortal will be released Friday, October 11 on all major digital platforms. Already receiving praise from such industry stalwarts as 94.3 FM The Shark’s Assistant Program Director Orlando, who described the single as “the perfect introduction to the next wave of rock heroes,” support for the new album has been swift.” We get singer Ray and guitarist Dan 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?

Ray: I think the album is pretty straightforward. A lot of the lyrical content revolves around the topic of depression. Mental illness being an extremely concerning issue in our country, I felt it necessary to write about the topic. Currently one in five adults suffer from a different form of the illness. Depression is a huge topic for me because I have dealt with it for most of my adult life. Being able to express those feeling through music gives me a release and I hope those who listen to the album find a common ground and comfort in knowing that they are not alone.

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

Dan: My dad had started showing me some blues on the acoustic guitar early on but I think what really cinched it for me was when my good friend got his first guitar and called me up to play me a cover of Metallica’s “Fade To Black” over the phone. I was immediately hooked and convinced my parents to buy me my first electric guitar and amplifier.

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

Ray: I think from the band’s stand-point, we all have our own individual influences. I know I have a lot. When you listen to the record I think there are some that are quite obvious and some that are not.  I think Prince was a huge influence from a performance aspect. I loved how he commanded the stage. I also think that Scott Weiland played a big role in how I approach the characterization of my voice with Last Kiss Goodnight.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Dan: Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins, The Descendents, A Perfect Circle, and The Pixies.

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

Ray: For me, it would have to be Nora Jones. I think that Nora, (aside from being beautiful and having a beautiful voice) is a very expressive, diverse, art-minded musician, composer and artist. I would love to see what writing and producing a song with her would pull out of me and vice-versa.

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?

Dan: We would describe the music as an eclectic mix of old school grunge with a present-day rock twist, exposing huge hooks and catchy, anthemic choruses. We have seen comparisons to Foo Fighters, Muse, Stone Temple Pilots, etc… and none of that has made us cringe at all. In fact, I think we take that as a compliment and something to build from.

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

Ray: Creating. Making something out of nothing. A melody that may pop into my head at any given time… and I get really excited to write it down or grab my recorder and either hum it out or pick up a guitar and play it. And then the process of turning that nothing into something bigger than the original idea really gets me high.

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?

Dan: We typically order in or go out for food but Rob (Lasky, drummer) tends to be the BBQ master when we are hanging out on a summer day.  I usually bring the beer and Carlo (Pizarro, guitarist) are I are usually the first to break out an acoustic guitar for an impromptu singalong followed by Kevin (Baker, bassist) on acoustic bass and Rob on the drum box.

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

Ray: I think it was when my last band (Agents of the Sun) toured with 311, Papa Roach, and Unwritten Law in 2005. I think for the first month I couldn’t believe that I was actually touring with those bands and hanging out with those guys. Soon after, it wore off. And they became normal people that you see on the daily. And I don’t think that I have been “star struck” since. I met Gene Simmons five years later and he didn’t have the same affect. Nora Jones might!

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

Dan: If I weren’t a musician, the dream job would still be associated with music, probably something along the lines of sound engineering and production work.

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?

Ray: I believe that everything happens for a reason. Wherever we are right now in our lives is where we all are supposed to be. No do overs. You live and you learn.  Especially with embarrassing moments. All of the stuff that happens to us in the past (whether it be good or bad) helps us become the people we are. Who that is… is basically up to us.

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?

Dan: I would choose The Jacksons Triumph album sessions, in particular the recording of “Can You Feel It”.  I remember hearing that record as a kid and just being mesmerized by the beat and the orchestral power.

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Category: Interviews