Published: June 9, 2010 5:07 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight June 2010 Edition
Dash Speaks
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Dash Speaks
Our Webzine is extremely excited to present this next interview with one of the hottest entertainers out in the indie music industry. Dash Speaks is creating his own niche in the indie music industry that showcases his talents, heart, and passion to make genuine music. In this online conversation with Speaks, the artist reveals several things about himself that shows why he is on his way to the top. Here is what formulated. Enjoy!
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Dash: I've loved music since I was a little kid. My father is a singer and musician. I began singing more or less as soon as I could speak. I started playing guitar when I was ten or eleven, started rapping when I was 14. (I'm 24 now).
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Dash: My influences are all over the place. As a rapper and songwriter, I would say Bob Dylan was probably the most influential artist for me. He is one of my favorite lyricists- poetic, concise, topical. As far as rappers go; Andre 3000, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Jay-z, Common, Jada Kiss, The Clipse, ATCQ, Pharoahe Monche.
In terms of production; Aphex Twin, TV on the Radio, Kanye West, Hot Chip, Calvin Harris, David Banner.
The list really goes on and on. Good music. People that go further. Artists that change the status quo.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Dash: I work as hard as possible to make sure that I get better and better, so I'd like to think that every show I do is the best one I've ever done. Obviously, that's not always the case, but I think it reflects my overall place in my music career. I'm not content yet. I hope that my greatest highpoints will soon be surpassed.
That being said, I am extremely proud of my catalog of music, particularly my last album, Geography. At the end of the day, even if only a few thousand people ever hear it, I know that I have made a substantial contribution to my art form, one that truly pushes the envelope and progresses the genre of hip hop.
Dash Speaks
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Dash: I have been so close to big breaks so many times, I've lost count. At first, these disappointments really hurt. Eventually, you learn to take these things in stride. It's all about pushing on.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Dash: I make a lot of different kinds of music, and even music that is quintessentially Dash Speaksish is genre bending. The music doesn't really draw me. I just put my head down and try to make the music that is inside me. The end result is what you hear.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Dash: Where there is a will there is a way. Most rappers are bad or mediocre. And most of the good ones don't try to move hip hop forward. So it gets very monotonous. Anyone can be a rapper. Doing it well is another story. I think I have some natural talents which are conducive to making music, and I have been cultivating them for most of my life.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Dash: At this point, I feel like I am producing significant music and performances. If you listen to my music or see me live, you will see that I am doing things that no one else is doing. I already stand out, even if the music industry doesn't fully realize it yet.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Dash: I don't know. If there was some song I wanted to cover, I would just cover it. My want and do are essentially the same (musically speaking).
Dash Speaks
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Dash: Ingenuity, persistence, musicality, an ear for good melody. I don't know. I think I've always been a good songwriter. I haven't always been a good musician or rapper, but the songwriting has always come easily. Maybe it is one of those things that you either have or don't.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Dash: That's an interesting word. And I think its definition depends on the context. It could relate to a genre of rock, or being signed to an independent label. I would say, if it is to be related to me, it just means having creative control over the product that is one's music.
