LEE-LA

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When did you decide that a career in music was for you?

I don't think it was ever a question for me.
When I was 4, I performed in my school talent show and I loved it! I think that might have been the moment, or when I was 9; I got to play in front of thousands of people at an international jazz festivalŠ I remember feeling a little nervous just before hitting the stage, but then the moment I sat down with my guitar and started strumming, this incredible feeling of ease and "you got this!" came over me. It was the best feeling and it still is.

 

Who are your musical inspirations and why?

The songwriting of Bob Dylan has always been with me. Both he and Joni Mitchell can bring me to tears on a dime. There's something so unique and profound in both their voices. It has a calming effect on me. I also adore Neil Young both with and without C S & N.
The passion and guitar godliness of Jimi Hendrix.
The psychedelia of Jefferson and Airplane and of course, Grace's sublime voice.
The power that was Janis.
And countless others. Music is my life.

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Can you tell me 3 things about yourself that people might not already know?

I'm left handed but play guitar like a righty.

I started taking singing lessons last year for the first time in my life, after suffering a vocal chord injury. I love swimming naked.

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 If you could perform a gig at any venue where would it be and why?

I'd love to go back and perform at the Whisky in LA, and it would be an absolute dream to play somewhere as huge and legitimizing as Wembley, but  I can honestly say that the the best gig will be the next gig, no matter where it will be. I treat every show as if it's the most important one of my life. I try to give all of myself every time. I believe that music has incredible healing and unifying powers and it's all about the connections we make with our audience. Sharing that special time and space togetherŠ by coming out that night, our lives connected, physically, and that's no little thing.

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What has been your best achievement to date and what would you like to achieve in the future?

Best achievement to dateŠ goodnessŠ giving birth?!? LolŠ that was pretty wildŠ musically, I don't know, I'm always striving for more you knowŠ I guess I'd just like to be able to tour extensively again. Get to countries we've never been and keep on making music with my family.

World peace would be cool too. :)

 

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TOM

 

How would you answer the question Who are The Damn Truth and what are

the differences between you as a music artist and you away from music?

 

i think we are just a group of individuals who were always outside of (on the fringe) of popular music. We came to form this band out of the sheer fact that we all wanted to go see a "real" young rock and roll band and couldn't find it in our hometown (Montreal)

It didn;t matter if anyone else was gonna listen or like this music. It was for us! ...and still very much so, i feel.

I don't think there is any difference between us as a band and as "regular" people. i can honestly say that music and rock and roll is our lives; all 4 of us!

 

 

What was the first record or song you purchased and why?

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The first album i bought with my own money was the black album (Metallica); I was 9 or 10 years old and i just thought it was the heaviest thing EVER!

I still cant belive that we got to record with Bob Rock who produced the black album of course.

i told him it was the first album i ever bought. He said ya... you and a billion other people hahahah

 

 

What would say to someone thinking about becoming a musician and

getting into the music industry?

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Look, i don't know anything about the music industry; the truth is NOBODY does - sometimes people pretend to know but it's just an act. If you wanna get into music, stop thinking of it as an "industry"  - think about it as your dream, your passion,  your life. If you create music that makes you happy and proud, you are already halfway there.

 

If you could collaborate with any other band/singer or musician who

would you choose and why?

 

If i could one day jam with Jimmy Page; that would be the best thing in the world!

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I love everything about his playing and songwriting!

I would LOVE to see those fingers move on the fretboard from up close; i would love to see how he constructs a song.

 

 

If you could have written one song from history which would it have

been and why?

 

Anything from Joni Mitchell, BLUE. Every single song on there is a masterpiece;  just a perfect combination of interesting melody and insightful lyrics.

 

What things make you uncomfortable?

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Compliments.

 

If you wrote a book about yourself what would it have in it?

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Probably a bunch of pictures of food!

hahaha

 

 

What has the rest of the year got in store for you?

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Touring, touring, and more touring.

We recorded this album and haven't really had a chance to bring it to the world; we want to do that as much as possible!

 

 

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PY

Tell me a story from backstage or after a gig?

One time we were in Calgary, Canada, and of course we were late to a gig. Where was the van? Nowhere to be found.

 

It was the one of the coldest nights in my memory and we were dressed for the stage. The band went for dinner before the show and parked the van somewhere in downtown Calgary. Since it was so cold, we took an underground route through a shopping center and some semi-heated tunnels to the restaurant. After quickly eating and realizing we were late; we paid the bill and headed for the van. We could not for the life of us remember where the van was!

 

 The tunnels had thrown off our sense of direction and we walked around for about 30 mins to no avail. At this point, the clock was ticking down to our show time and we were panicked. We hailed a taxi as soon as we could, because we were freezing our asses off walking around. The taxi driver was so damn helpful. We explained the situation and he drove us around in search of our van; The Whitehorse.

 

When it was about 15 mins to showtime,we decided he just take us to the show and we'd find the van afterwards. He offered to keep looking while we did the show and come get us afterwards to resume the search. By the grace of some karmatic sum of all our lives lived, we rounded a corner that jogged Dave's memory and he quickly lead us and the generous soul we had as a taxi driver straight to the van. Stressed, freezing and feeling lucky;  we made the gig with the van!

What do you like best about being a musician and why?

As a young boy,  it was the parties and women that attracted me so strongly. Now I would have to say, that creating an experience, a moment, for the people in the crowd as well as for ourselves, is one of the most powerful things I've ever felt. I think that we need this connection and this flood of emotions that you can only experience at a rock n roll show, to truly be human. 

If you were not in the job you are now what would you be doing?

Pouting miserably most probably. 

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What has been the best gig you have been too as a fan and can you tell us about it?

I've been so lucky to have seen a lot of really killer gigs.
During our 2018 American tour, I really got into The Smashing Pumpkins. After months on the road I'd listened to "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" millions of times. Upon returning to Montreal, they were playing at the Bell Center and the band got tix. We went together and it was magical. 

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What would your ideal festival line up be and why?

I'd love to see Tom Petty, Neil Young, Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Damn Truth on a line up somewhere very warm. This particular lineup can only be a dream sadly!

What would you say is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

When I was a young aspiring guitar player, an older friend of mine told me I should play the bass guitar. I've never looked back.

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What things make you happy and what things annoy you?

I'm happiest on the road surrounded by friends and family. We're at a table, Tom is telling a story, the wine is flowing, the food is great and the sun is shining!

 

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 Do you think social media and the internet are a good thing in the music industry?

At times it's overwhelming, but the connection it gives us to our family, friends and fans; far outweighs the pressure and sometimes unrealistic standards social media may create.

 

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Can you tell us about any tattoos you have and the significance of them to you?

One time, inebriated at a party in Kelowna, BC, I got my abdomen tattooed by stick and poke. It's a little "xox" haha. Dave got a V on the inside of his bicep.

 

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 What has been your experience during the Covid 19 situations. Can you tell us how this has affected you personally, how it has affected you professionally and maybe a story from this time or a message for people out there?

It was very hard on all of us. We tried our best to stay busy and to release 'Now or Nowhere' despite the inability to tour. Luckily, we have incredibly talented friends here in Montreal and we were able to release 3 music videos since the beginning of the pandemic. One of which (This is Who We Are Now) was premiered by the UK's own Planet Rock Radio!

 

We, as a band, have an incredible sense of family. This kinship definitely helped carry us through this pandemic. At first we decided to make a reality doc about releasing the record and trying to be a band in 2021. We released this "mini-series" on YouTube and called it 'A Day in The Damn Life'. Trying to create something together for our fans was really motivating and at times extremely hilarious.

 

 

If you could say one thing to your fans what would it be and why?

>From the bottom our hearts, thank you for being with us on this wild ride. The past few years have seen us touring with legendary bands such as ZZ Top, selling out the Whisky in LA, making a record with Bob Rock and nowŠ dealing with releasing it during the pandemic. We cannot wait to get on the road again in the UK with King King this February, it will be crazy!!!

Hopefully everywhere else in the world comes soon after!  Much love!