A Dirty Dozen with DIEGO and ALASTAIR from DEEP AL BRINDLE – January 2023

According to a recent press release: “Los Angeles-based electronic duo Deep Al Brindle will drop a five-song EP titled Late Night, Early Morning on January 13, 2023 via Tooth & Nail.  For Deep Al Brindle, countless hours playing music as friends progressed to songs built by bandmates; Alastair Wilson and Diego Castellanos became Deep Al Brindle and released their first single, “Ctrl V,” in late 2019. They released two more singles before signing to Tooth & Nail Records, where their debut EP released in Summer 2021. The EP, No Rush, No Curfew, is a soft and bright tribute to art itself. Deep Al Brindle expose the relationship between sound and color, hearing and feeling, and movement and memory with visuals that accompany each song. The cinematic experience emotes themes of nostalgia, joy, and community. Wilson’s affinity for ’90s rock and Castellanos’ appreciation for ’80s pop is evident in the project’s vintage, electronic sound.” We get the duo 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?

Our last EP is called No Rush, No Curfew. We made that mostly during the pandemic. It was a very juvenile feeling record where time or responsibilities didn’t really matter, We would work in our studio till very late hours of the night. Late Night, Early Morning is the juxtaposition of that record. It’s the realization that we have responsibilities the next day or families to tend to. So we hope the idea of maturing and having balance comes across on this new EP.

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

Diego: I started playing music in my teenage years. My parents had moved us to a town where there wasn’t much to do. Instead of getting into trouble I started learning how to play guitar and piano. Somehow I endured the hardship of learning instruments and shortly after started playing in churches or people’s garages to try to get better!

Alastair: I became interested in music during grade school. Playing music became routine in my social life. If I wasn’t skateboarding, I was playing music with friends. As years passed, music continued to become more and more important.  In my early 20’s, I pursued education at MI musical college in Hollywood, CA.

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

Diego: For me it was bands like MUTEMATH that influenced the way I wanted to play live shows! The energy that they would perform captivated my attention at a young age.

Alastair: My musical taste was influenced by my favorite bands. During my early days of learning music, Incubus & Deftones were a big influence for me. I would learn all my favorite songs on drums or guitar & eventually would perform cover songs at school talent shows.

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

Diego: I’m not sure at this point, maybe someone like Washed Out or Tycho. Mostly because they embody the genre we most fit in!

Alastair: I’d have to agree with Diego. So far, everyone we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with has been a really good experience!

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

Diego: I like to play sports! Or look at architecture mostly from the mid century era.

Alastair: I still like to skateboard or longboard whenever I can. Spending time with my family is important to me. Whether that be chillin’ on the couch watching TV or taking family trips whenever we can.

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?

I think our music is easy to listen to, it makes for great driving music! I don’t think we’ve had that happen yet!

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?

We typically don’t hang out in home settings, we usually go grab In & Out if we’re really hungry.

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

We recently played a show with a true legendary drummer Darren King and there was an element of that!

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?

Diego: The best part of being a musician for me is making a song that people enjoy! Especially when it’s live.

Alastair: Best part of being a musician is being a part of an undeniable force/energy that helps people from day to day. Having a production background allows me to stay close to music. If I’m not playing music, I’m helping event organizers & other musicians with live shows.

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?

Can’t think of any dream questions. We haven’t had a lot of interviews as a band so ask away!

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?

Not yet!

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?

Diego: For me it would be Brandon Flower’s The Desired Effect that record really spoke to me at a very pivotal moment life. It really helped me through some challenging times!

Alastair: The album Morning View by Incubus. They wrote & recorded that album in a home setting while the band lived in the house together. That experience always inspired me to want to do something similar to that. The album Morning View acts like a time machine for me. Taking me back to significant moments of my life during my time of adolescence.

DEEP AL BRINDLE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews