EMQ’s with DELPHI RAVENS
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Alternative Rock band, Delphi Ravens. Huge thanks to their founder/ bassist /songwriter, Papa B, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
The band is called Delphi Ravens. I am Papa B.™, I founded the band in late 2019 after a year of searching for and auditioning dozens of people. I was even wondering if I would ever get the right group together, but it happened. Then – COVID. UGH! So, we decided to totally focus on writing and recording original songs. By mid-2020 we had our first few songs written and recorded and started to release them in late 2020/early 2021.
Since then, we have written 15 tracks, the unreleased ones will be coming out each month starting in June 2022, through to the year end.
How did you come up with your band name?
I liked the raven image since I knew we would be writing a lot of ‘dark’ songs. Kira (vocalist) and I write all the songs. We both write lyrics and I write all the music, and Kira writes the melodies. We get input from the band as well when we present them a song.
Back to the name. I wanted to combine the idea of the 3-eyed raven who could see possible future events, like in Game of Thrones, with another idea of boundless knowledge. I thought the Greek Oracle at Delphi was the perfect fit. This was who all the great philosophers and scientists would go to for any kind of answer or knowledge they did not know. Delphi Ravens!
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are from the west coast of the U.S. – the area called the Pacific Northwest, home of Grunge, with groups like Nirvana. Many great bands are from this area. Our area is not as large as the big cities like Seattle so there are few original music bands, tons of cover bands. But we travel if needed for the right venues.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest single is ‘Last Memories’ released a few weeks ago on Spotify. People can hear the unreleased song ‘Take My Hand’ on our ReverbNation account.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I listen to so many different genres that I can’t pick any one person or band. I listen to styles I don’t really like. Why? Because I believe you can get an idea or technique from all kinds of music. Sometimes I listen to classical pipe organ music from Bach or Handel for example. I can get an idea and translate it to our Alternative Rock style and make it work.
What first got you into music?
Always loved music but couldn’t sing so I was just a fan for a long time. Then I decided to just go for it (not the singing but playing). I was hooked and got even more hungry to write songs after I got my playing in decent shape.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
I have never been able to answer that question. Too many great ones to choose from, I guess. But Silversun Pickups comes to mind. Unique song structures and ideas always intrigue me. Finneas would be another.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Coachella for sure. Incredible venue with super artists and rabid fans. Gotta love it!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Pair of underwear. So, you ask yourself, I hope this was planned and not a spur of the moment kinda thing?
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Listen. Listen to the whole song. That’s it. People miss so much when they don’t focus and listen. There are so many nuances in songs of ours (and many artists) and usually only other artists acknowledge them.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
For me that is easy, bring back Freddie Mercury. Truly one of the best front persons ever and a brilliant song writer as well. One of a kind!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love it all, writing – recording – playing live but if I had to pick it would be playing live. Nothing like having people to share your music with. I hate that so many fabulous artists can’t make a living doing what they love and what they are great at. Especially when there are far less talented people making big money.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The lack of payment for streaming. Artists work very hard to create good music and all the money goes elsewhere.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Dark Side of the Moon” – Pink Floyd. One of the most creative albums ever made. Ask me next week and I would probably pick another…many great albums.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
Depends on when you were born. I like the rebirth of vinyl, but downloads are where it is at with most people today. Only problem is you don’t get paid for downloads …really. $40 for 10,000 streams is not pay, it’s grand theft.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
A private one actually. People were so involved and not one person left even when we ended… they all wanted to meet us and talk about our music.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Probably nothing. Sounds strange but I did a lot of things I wanted when I was young and came to music later. Now it’s all I want to do.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
That’s crazy tough to answer. I will pick amongst the living artists and avoid anyone outside of music. So, one legend, Elton John (great performer & great songwriter), Drake, Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots). Very diverse group but all at the top of their game.
What’s next for the band?
Continue to write and record. Live gigs starting end of summer and on. EP out later this year and first album in 2023…. Who knows after that?
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We use Facebook, ReverbNation, Soundcloud, Instagram and Twitter (a little).
Our website is our name – DelphiRavens.
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Cake as proven in court. Little cakes that people mistake for biscuits…and chocolate on them, yummmmm! People in the states would call them cookies.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Everyone should check out a couple of our songs…at least. If you like them then connect with us on your favourite social media.
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