Interview with Dead Lakes

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• I’ve always loved music. I remember my dad listening to 90’s R&B all the time, and that’s what really started my curiosity when I was young. My uncle was also into writing and recording his own songs when I was young, so that was really inspiring for me as well. I think the current state of music I am in with Dead Lakes started when I was in 9th grade and my new friends were listening to TDWP, Miss May I, and ABR. 

• If I wasn’t doing music today, I probably would’ve pursued a career in investigative journalism, or sports broadcasting (lol).

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• I enjoy reselling clothes (reduce, reuse, recycle, c'mon now baby). I also enjoy watching basketball too much. The influence these things have on my creativity is the same influence anything would have really. I enjoy understanding the human component and the creative drive it takes to be the best.

How long has your band been around?

• I believe Dead Lakes was technically established in 2017. So way longer than any of us really feel like it has been. 

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• We are based out of Seattle, WA. I think our drummer Chon would be the best to answer this question as he is the only native Seattleite. For me personally, I think the drive and unique culture of the general area influenced the way we hustle as a band and the way we desire to stand out.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

• To be completely honest, we just brainstormed random names and made a list of the ones we liked that weren’t taken. It’s harder than you’d think to find a name that’s not already taken. 

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• One time we played Grants Pass, OR at a Chinese Restaurant and we were like the weird band on the bill. It was a cool time, but we probably had only sold around $80 in merch. Then this guy, JJJ, ended up buying like $500 in merch and said he had drove about 3 hours to come see us. It just made our night. I think that one sticks out because it was the first time someone really made us feel like we had made an impact on them in the same way that other bands had impacted us when we were younger.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• I don’t have a favorite as of yet. We have all grown up in the Seattle scene, and it was cool getting to play Vera, and ElCo. I think Chain Reaction was a really cool moment for us. I know a lot of bands in general can relate to that. We have been a band for a large part through the pandemic, so we have a lot to see and experience on the road still. I am so excited for what the future has in store. So definitely check back in with me on that.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• Ummmmm okay picture this, because I could do a few dream lineups at certain venues, places, etc. So, it’s like an underground, packed out, mosh pit show. I’d probably say Jean Dawson, Junior Varsity, $not, and yeah, I guess us (lol).

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• I would probably say “the only way you’ll get what you want from music is by always remembering why you love it, which I believe always begins with that excitement to create from learning new things.”

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

• Buy bitcoin.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• Probably an unreleased song called onyx drive, because I think it’s the song that I felt I executed the original emotion of how I was feeling the best.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

• Buried Til Grey gets requested a lot which is cute. It’s a sad slow song with lots of emotion. We must’ve been listening to a bunch of BAAO, Crooks UK, and emotional hardcore at the time (lol).

• Our favorite to play is probably TDHBE which we will only be playing in certain scenarios moving forward. That will make it even more fun to play when the occasion calls for it.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

• We typically share a playlist where we can kinda hear where everyone is at with music currently. It helps us write the music that feels most authentic to us at the present time. Art, relationships, and the world around us is what inspires us.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

• A message of relatability. Hopefully into the future even more so with relatability for the good times, the bad times, the once in a lifetimes, etc. We always want people to feel seen and understood.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

• Yeah, it happens. We are humans cohesively working closely with one another. How do we get past it? We try to always find a middle ground, or we dual to the death. No in-between.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up? 

• You know, honestly just vibe-ing and writing more jams. We have a lot in store in early 2023.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• We are most active on IG (@deadlakesband). If you understand Tik Tok and you’re reading this, DM me some tips.