A Dirty Dozen with DUSTY GRANT – April 2022

According to a recent press release: “Wichita, KS based, Dark Rock artist DUSTY GRANT has revealed the official music video for the debut single from his newly, fully formed band, “Oceans.”  Written and produced by GRANT and JASON CATLETT (with additional production duties as well as recorded and mixed by CHRIS DAWSON) with mastering by MIKE KALAJIAN, the music video for “Oceans” was directed by JT IBANEZ. Dusty Grant is an independent singer/songwriter based out of Wichita, KS. Grant has been writing, recording, and performing original music in bands and as a solo artist for over 20 years. Drawing influences from metal, rock, grunge, and country Grant delivers his own brand of Dark Rock. Fans of Alice In Chains, Stone Sour, Shinedown, and Daughtry are certain to love Grant’s style.” We get Dusty to discuss new music, 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

My latest release is my first full-band single called “Oceans.”  Upon first listen, the listener may not notice the time signature change in the 2nd verse, but they will now that I said something!

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

I have always loved music since I was a kid.  I loved discovering new bands, opening CDs, reading lyrics, and checking out artwork.  I first realized I wanted to play music when I grabbed a microphone at a party around age 19 and started singing some covers and got a good reaction from the people at the party.

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

My first concert was Nine Inch Nails and The Melvins.  The “Hurt” video was actually shot at that show.  From there on, I was always drawn to heavier stuff, but have always liked a wide range of music.

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

Probably Jerry Cantrell.  He’s a huge influence of mine and I pretty much love everything he’s done.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like to spend time with my family and exercise.  I love to take walks, go running, take the kids to the park, take the family out to eat, stuff like that.

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?

When I was solo, it was dark acoustic rock.  Now, I would say it’s rock or hard rock with dark tones.  People have said the new single “sounds too mainstream”.  I’m not sure what that means, or why it’s a bad thing.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I would say Bwana cooks, I get the drinks in, and any of us could bust out into song at any time.  I always like to annoy the band with my old school rap covers when we hit the road.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I saw Diamond Dallas Page when I was on vacation in Punta Cana a couple years ago.  He was just sitting near us having breakfast.  That was pretty amazing.  I was nervous to go ask for a picture with him.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is the connections you make with people through music.  Whether it’s band members or people that listen to your stuff and “get it” that’s the best part for me.  I am not able to pursue music full-time, so that is still my dream job.  Never stop dreaming, right?

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I would like to be asked what genres I listen to other than the ones I play in.  The answer is:  Country, Pop, and Hip Hop. I get tired of answering the “Who do you sound like?” question.  I think every musician gets tired of that.

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?

Definitely.  There are a few red flags along the way that I really wish I wouldn’t have ignored just to chase the dream.

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?

Probably Alice In Chains Dirt.  To me, that is a perfect record.  They will always be a huge influence of mine and nobody does dark like AiC.

DUSTY GRANT LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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Category: Interviews