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Hello (I love you) by Roger Waters.
Interviewed by Joseph Davis of Rock365.net/TheHomeForMusic.com (when reproducing this interview please give proper credit)
Joe:Let's get the basics out of the way. How did you get started as a musician?
Dennis: As a child I've loved "tunes", grew up well rounded listening to all the greats, of all genres, on my parents record player. Anything I could grab that made noise was used to play along, things progressed from there. Without any formal instructional venue available I learned what I could through imitation and reading books, I could play almost any Instrument as a teen.
Joe: Who were some of the people who have influenced you?
Dennis: My influences are vast, from old country, the classic composers from the days of yore, old Rock from the be-bop era right up to today's music.To put my finger on any one particular artist or group as my primary influence just can't be done, and a list would range from Abba, Buddy Holly to ZZ Top etc. As a primary genre though I think I was most inspired by the styling's of the Hair Metal bands, late 70's early 80's
Joe: Your songs have a very distinct guitar sound and tone. What kind of guitar do you use and how do you get that sound that's very unique to your music?
Dennis: My main guitars are of Washburn build, my bass is a Fernandez and all complimented with GHS strings. I also use a self designed and built semi-hollow battle axe when I'm showing off for the ladies
Joe: Tell us how Rockin' The Hut came about?
Dennis: The initial CD "Rockin' the Hut" was recorded as a keep sake, an expose' of talents and skills for my family and closest friends. I never expected it to go any further than that. Only 25 completed discs were ever made ... numbered and autographed, you never know what can happen down the road. All the work on my CD's is done solo, from pen and paper, the instruments, vocals, recording and production ... right up to, and including, the album cover art.
Joe: Etched in Stone is your official solo album. On your site it says it was a dream to finish it before you turned 40. How did it feel to finally get this album out?
Dennis: The reality was I could have stopped with the "Rockin the Hut" CD and called my dream a success, but I had time to do better. I dropped some tracks, wrote some new ones, re-worked some existing. When all was said and done I was satisfied I did my best.
It felt good, I was proud of the simple fact my goal was achieved.
Joe: Tell us about the album Hold On. How did that one come about?
Dennis: Hold On was a themed album, everything was about my life to that point.
Etched in Rock was on the internet, wrong classification, poor promotion and just sitting there looking pretty on a web page. I was challenged, told I should keep writing by some, while others dared me to do a second album thinking I would fail. The title track lyrics tells the whole story quite well.
Joe: You are a Canadian. How does that influence your music if at all?
That is hard to answer, I can't say that there is much of a difference any longer as our communities and cultures are so similar. I do have to say, when the chill of winter gets to extreme ... you'll find me Rockin the Hut too ...
Joe: What are some of the big differences between Canadian Rock and American Rock?
Dennis: Canadian Rock is written in the key of "eh" :))
Joe: On the 105 has been a big hit here Rock365 for a while now. Tell us about that song and any special meaning it has.
Dennis: One of the things I've learned about successful artists is they have a song that specifically defines their home. My home is an isolated mining community with a twisted narrow highway, that seems to go forever, as the only physical access to the outside world.
I always seem to drive faster the closer I get to home, a test of man and machine ... it's a real cool ride.
Joe: What's the song Under A Spell about?
Dennis: They say love is blind, that love cures all ... I say that women cloud a man's mind with pheromones, as if under a spell. All logic lost, willing to "climb the highest mountain" and endanger his well being to win the lady over. Nuff said.
Joe:Teenage Rage was one of the first songs we played from you. Tell us about it.
Dennis: As a parent of teenage girls, I saw their growth though this period to difficult and emotional, as it is with the parents. I wanted mine to understand that we feel what they feel, plus we remember our own teenage trials. Which ever perspective you approach this track from, parent of, or teen ... it fits like a glove.
Joe: Adam Loves Eve is another great song. What meaning do it have to you?
Dennis: The reaction I've had from this track has been phenomenal, great comments from people of all walks of life, each with a different personal meaning. The foundation for this track revolved around the yearning to returning to a time of innocence, going back to fix a mistake that caused regret. Every human has had this moment of woe after a life altering event.
Joe: Recently we started playing a new song called Moonshine, Home Brew. What's that song about?
Dennis: The story of growing old, remembering the time of immortal youth and the celebration that period of life encompassed.
Joe: Your music is described as Classic Rock and Blues with a Canadian Twist. Do you think those songs fit that description?
Dennis: It is hard for me to classify my work and genre is the last thing on my mind when I'm composing. I don't know if my work fits the genre description, but is my largest audience,with a dash of metal and a sprinkle of country. I originally wanted to call my work Canadian Bush Metal, I still believe that would be the perfect genre, if it existed.
Joe: What has been the reaction to your music out on the road?
Dennis: Currently a kick butt stage act is being assembled, after the many e-mails requesting live performance, gearing up for a Spring U.S. Run. Hope to meet some of my internet friends along the way.
Joe: How much has the internet helped spread the word about your music?
Dennis: The internet has been a very awesome tool, albeit with millions of talented artists out there struggling for recognition, it is a competition for the listeners ear. You have to really work this tool, things change so fast, it is a major chore just to keep your pages updated, but you need to be on as many locations as possible. Currently I, and my work, reside on over 180 sites. It took 6 days to upload "Babble On" just to the main ones. It's a full time job.
Joe: Will there still be a place for radio in the future or will the internet trump it like cable did to broadcast television?
Dennis:Considering the ratio of internet users to radio listeners, I have to suggest there will always be a place for radio, even if it means the culmination of both entities.
Joe: Does the world around us influence your music at all?
Dennis: I try to keep politics and strife out of my work, there is enough in the world without having to hear it on the radio too. I go for the "feel good" approach to blues ... personal stuff that everyone can associate with at some level.
Joe: What can we expect from you in 2007 and beyond?
Dennis: As the recent release of the new CD "Under a Spell - the EP", now available through Cafe Press and CD Baby and a planned EP release for early March, the hope is to be on the road to promote these in the Spring of 2008. A video for "On the 105" is underway, I've been gathering recordings to use on this for over a year now. Trying to capture the essence of this track calls for repeated video, same locations, all seasons.
Joe: Finally if you could sum everything about you up in one word or sentence what would it be?
Dennis: Determined to have the world hear my work, willing to meet all challenges, best summed up as ... Ready to Roll !!!
Joe: Well I would like to take the time to thank Dennis for this interview. You can find out more about Dennis by visiting these sites.
Visit DennisPaul.com where you can buy his albums, read up on his bio, and so much more
Plug from Joe: Visit Blogmageddon.com...A blog for the rest of us and home to Boobs For Freedom
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