Interview with DART
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Thanks for having us!
Tell us a few things about DART (Members, Starting Year etc).
DART is formed in 2021. We started first as a trio. Emppu was on drums, Hiski on the bass and Joki on the guitar. Shortly we found out that we would like to play faster (and better haha) so Emppu started to focus on vocals and we asked for our friend Samppa to play the drums and our another friend Tuoppa took on the lead guitar for some killer solos. We recorded our demo and played our first live show in summer 2022 and everything kinda just clicked haha.
You have recently released your album 'Speed Days'''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The feedback of Speed Days has been really good, as it should because we personally are really proud of the album.
The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
We wanted to have some kind of 80s heavy metal aesthetic and wanted that the artwork would really pop out. Artwork is made by rainovfire and it turn out be better than we expected.
And what about the lyrics?
They’re heavy metal lyrics. Mostly about drinking beer, driving car, violence, that kind of stuff. But we also have couple political songs in there.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Working with a good label makes things a lot easier, the record reaches more people, and you can focus on making music and playing live. All of us have some roots in the DIY scene, so that’s never been a problem for us. However, for the next Dart album we’ve already had some talks with a label. Hopefully we can share some news soon.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
No fun at all. Only serious business.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Physical is always best, but we are not materialistic.
Your music style is Speed MetalPunk. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Only good music. For example, Poison Idea, Discharge, Anti Cimex, Iron Maiden, Manowar, Leatherface, The Blood, Midnight, Zeke..
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Everything. We’ve sacrificed our health, time and money! Hahaha!
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
A big enough stage, a good amount of people, decent backstage and all that. It’s also great to play legendary venues and places we haven’t been to before. We feel like we’ve already gotten to play in a lot of cool places, but there’s still plenty left where it would be fun to go.
Photo credit: ishootrawpunk - Peter Rosvik
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
We don’t like it.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Probably the most important thing is to do your own thing and play what you actually like.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Yes, they help a lot nowadays. It’s much easier for people to spread their music online than trading demos at shows. That said, the best way to promote a band is still playing good live shows.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
First, focus on making music and release it somewhere like Bandcamp. You can start playing shows as soon as you have some songs ready. Deal with the other stuff later, like social media, merch, and all that.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Finland (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Joensuu has a really strong metal scene. Bands like Morbific, Sadistic Drive, Devil’s Vomit, etc. Also Scumripper and Sonic Poison, even though they’re not from Joensuu.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
As Manowar said: I need metal in my life just like an eagle needs to fly! Albums (not in order): Metallica – Master of Puppets, Judas Priest – Painkiller, Iron Maiden – Powerslave, Summoning – Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame, Autopsy – Mental Funeral, Razor - Violent Restitution, Midnight – Satanic Royalty…
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Rotting Christ and Raw Noise Apes!
What are your future plans?
Make new album and play shows. We also have some plans for a couple of tours.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for having us! Hopefully we’ll come to Greece sometime!!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
Photo Credit: Veera Uutinen
DART CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/thetruedart
https://www.instagram.com/dart_rocks/
https://dartpunk.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gUTHscUANEKZ4X3LBWqqI