Q: Can you tell us a bit about the band and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: My grandfather was a bluegrass musician! He played fiddle and saxophone in the Legion bands. I can remember him teaching me how to sing, singing with him in harmony, and playing for dances and family events in Saskatchewan when I was 3 or 5 years old!
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover The Hello Darlins?
A: We have awesome fans, and more people are learning about the band all the time! It’s really special to meet people from all over the world that have discovered our music! After two tours in Europe – we’re SO excited for a tour in CANADA! I would say for new fans… If you love music with real instrumentation, a fusion of country, folk, gospel and blues…vocal harmonies and classic sounds of bands like Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Gregg Allman, The Band, The Eagles, Fleetwood mac – then we might have something you’d like! haha!
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: We recently had a chance to perform at Paradiso in Amsterdam for Lucinda Williams and that was inspiring. She is in her mid-70’s and she looked great, sounded amazing and still put her heart and spirit into the music. I don’t dream of retiring… I dream of doing this until I can’t anymore, and I find it inspiring to see other musicians that are as dedicated to their art after 50 years, and still as passionate as they were in their 20’s.
Q: You just released your new EP, “In the Sundust”. What inspired the writing and recording processes for this EP?
A: In the Sundust is a glimpse into the larger collection of songs we recorded last year at United Recording Studios, which will be released late this year! We also wanted a chance to represent our live show – which is energetic, fun and stylistically diverse. It was a meaningful experience to create the music on hallowed ground at United, with some truly incredible musicians and just to be surrounded by the music history and art that you can feel in the walls and in the ether. United Studio’s also just announced that they are closing, which is heartbreaking. This album is a 7 song piece of our double album – and one of the last records to ever be recorded there…so it means a lot to us!!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Warmful.
Q: Is there a possible album being worked on? Any tea to spill on the release date or name?
A: Yes! Tea is SPILLED! Haha! We have a 17 song double album on the way…! The first single will be out later this spring and we’re so excited! The new songs are playful, and from the heart and we love to write songs based on true events and emotional experiences. Someone called us the “One Band Americana Festival” – which I loved, because I do think that is our live show and this new album…a little bit of everything!
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as a band?
A: I think art is a medium that belongs to everyone…it just flows and is born through creativity, and then it’s up to the consumer to embrace, relate, interpret or take what they like and leave the rest! Music connects us…it’s shared, so I hope our music is something that is made with that goal in mind. It’s like singing in harmony… you need the collective to make it happen!
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Bryan White, or Colin Hay…or Vince Gill.… or you know who else I really love? Ronnie Milsap. Just…great voices, great songwriters and songs that get to your heart! haha!
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: I think desire is a powerful motivator and it’s important to try to experience the things you want to in your lifetime. Regardless of the passion you have – if it’s music, or a sport, or cooking, or travel… one of the hardest things to figure out is how to flow around obstacles. Maybe it’s an unsupportive relationship, or a job that feels like it’s the roadblock…, or a million other reasons that you think you can’t accomplish something. It’s important to USE those things as fuel. Maybe the bad relationship is inspiration for a song, or maybe you break up – and then write the hit song. haha! And you can always use money from a job to help fund your passion. It makes long work days easier! I don’t have a magic wand, and I don’t think it is a clear path…. I just think… the world is big and you just have to keep moving forward and use whatever life gives you!
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Success is a feeling, not a destination…and its relative. I mean…we each have a one in 3 trillion chance of ever even being born…so that’s kinda success from the start. You have already “made it… so just relax, be you, be cool to people and go do fun things with your life, Darlin.
