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10 Questions with ... Dorothy Martin
April 10, 2018
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1. Where does this interview find you today? What's on the agenda besides this interview?
I'm staying at a dungeons and dragons themed air bnb, in Los Angeles, autographing all the CDs fans have preordered.
2. When did you start putting the band together? How did you guys all meet?
I put the band together four years ago, reaching out through networks of friends and acquaintances to find members, and the project continued to grow and evolve from there.
3. Your debut studio album is called "ROCKISDEAD." While many have heard that phrase used over the years, why did you call the album that and what's your take on the whole "Rock Is Dead" statement?
It was meant to be cheeky, because rock obviously isn't dead and I don't think fans ever will let it die. They will always want organic, vibrant music played on real instruments by real human beings.
4. Your first real exposure at Rock radio came with a couple singles from that debut album ("Raise Hell" and "Dark Nights"). How did it feel the first time you heard your music played on the radio?
It was really cool! I got a bunch of screenshots from fans showing me they were listening to the songs on their radios in their cars.
5. "Down To The Bottom" was released last year as a non-album track and also got some nice airplay at Rock radio. Why was this track not included on your latest album "28 Days In The Valley?"
"DTTB" was more of a transitional single, and we wanted to continue putting music out while writing "28 Days In The Valley," but didn't feel it would fit on the album. It was already hard enough to choose the song sequence because we had so many we loved. "Girls & Boys" is another song off the new record that is on the vinyl version of "28 Days In The Valley," but with streaming being the way it is all songs become available to our listeners.
6. Your latest single, "Flawless," is on the new album and really breaking through so far at Rock radio. What was the inspiration for this song?
Ex-boyfriend! We've all been there and we've all had our hearts shattered. This happened at a particularly vulnerable and broken place in my life, so the song had to be written. I dedicate it to everyone who has a broken heart. I want to thank that person now because if he hadn't left me, I wouldn't have rekindled the fire that drives me to succeed. It lead to my determination to win and I got a record deal shortly after.
7. What's your take on Rock radio today? Do you have any favorite on-air radio moments you can share with us?
I recently did an acoustic radio performance of "Flawless" and "Pretty When You're High" during the Freedom tour, and for some reason it came out very intimate, vulnerable and tender. I teared up a little, so when you add live performance to the equation you can't stop the emotion, you have to allow it and roll with it.
8. I've asked this question many times to Rock artists. There's a definite difference between making a record and going out and playing it live in front of an audience. Many feel that the real work is making the record, and the fun part is playing it live. What's your take on both of these processes?
Whenever you make a record, you have to know that it's going to be out there forever. Rushing or being sloppy just isn't an option. Taking shortcuts and faking things just rips off the fans. We aim to write the best music and have the final product sound amazing, but then to infuse that with our energy live and hope that the fans are blown away. Live music is a different animal. Anything can happen. The vibe changes from show to show. Sharing that with the fans is the most amazing, intimate feeling.
9. Who are some of the new artists who inspire you? Who is in your current playlist? Any "guilty pleasure" songs or songs we might be surprised to find on your playlist?
I love Teenage Wrist! I'm so happy to hear grunge rock alive and well. I am looking forward to Halestorm's upcoming album, and my guilty pleasure is Michael Bolton because he has the voice of a fucking angel.
10. Finally, if you had the opportunity to work with any act/artist from the past, present or future, who would it be and why? If you could spend the day with them, where would you go ... and what would you do?
I would want to tour with Florence And The Machine and I'd love to collaborate with Vic Mensa and Kendrick Lamar. If all of us could go tear up the local karaoke bar, my night would be made.
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