 |
| Love, Robot Credit: Sam San Roman |
 |
| Sink Swim Credit: unsignedcorner.com |
By Emily Racanelli
“Whatever we are doing, it’s because that’s where our hearts are”
**Musician Dane Petersen talks Sink Swim, Love, Robot, and Mayday Parade’s A Lesson In Romantics**
At a park in East Setauket, a quaint suburban Long Island town that looks like it belongs at the beginning of a horror movie, I was able to speak with musician Dane Petersen. From California routes to a cross country relocation to join a new band on Long Island, I got the lowdown on the journey that led him here today.
If you haven’t heard of Dane, who is most known for his roles as singer/guitarist in the band Sink Swim and guitarist of Love, Robot, I suggest you get familiar. If his prior music is any indication, the project he is working on now is sure to become your next favorite “black pop” song!
Background
Where did your passion for music come from?
"When I was around 1 or 2 years old, I recall being in the back of my parents’ car and just feeling the music. I would bob my head, or even hit it on the back of the seat to keep up with the tempo of the song. I felt it, inside and out."
"Also, my family is very musical. My dad is a singer/pianist, and my mom and sister sing as well. I think, if anything, it [the musical gene] was hereditary to an extent. Music has always been around, therefore it was easy to get into."
What made you decide that you wanted to make a career out of being a musician?
"It didn’t take long to figure it out; I knew at the age 12 or 13. Music was the thing that was always there for me. It got me through everything--whether happy or sad, music was a constant in my life. It took me to a completely other place. I have this big imagination and live in a dream world sometimes--music accompanies that."
Growing up, what bands were the greatest influences on you?
"Well my dad is the biggest Beatles fan in the world, and he would probably disown me if I didn’t love them! He has been showing me Beatles’ music since I was born. I like a lot of that classic stuff. "
"In terms of modern music, Mayday Parade was a big deal for me. I really like that first record they put out [A Lesson In Romantics]. I’m a fan of that emotional type of sound.
The first record I bought on my own was Underoath’s They’re Only Chasing Safety. The Used’s debut album [Self-Titled] was a good one, as well."
"My sister got me into a lot of the heavier stuff. She was a fan of Finch and would be blasting their record all the time. She was constantly playing really loud and angsty music. Because she’s 5 years older than me, I was always intrigued by what she was listening to. It [the heavier music] almost scared me, but I was interested at the same time. One day I stole her iPod and just went through all the music. This would become a habit, actually. I would steal her iPod at night and fall asleep listening to all these amazing songs."
Sink Swim
How did Sink Swim come about?
"Writing music is just something I do, and it’s really fun to write with friends who share that same passion. I had been writing songs with a friend from when I was 13 to 16 years old. We had bands and found other friends who would all get together and form musical groups. Unfortunately, over time, it just wasn’t working out for a multitude of reasons."
"I was 17 and felt very old because there are bands that get signed at this age and just do whatever they want. I was falling behind. As cheesy as it may sound, this was a point in my life where I would either sink or swim. I don’t like to give up, and I never would. That name [Sink Swim] just seemed fitting for a new project."
"I pretty much just wrote on my own, in my room. That’s usually how all my music comes out. I’m in a room getting emotional about anything that’s going on in my life. It’s a process of thinking and reflecting [that leads to lyrics]. That is basically how Sink Swim developed; I was ready to start something new and do it right."
One of my favorite Sink Swim songs is “Pull Together” [feat. Alexa San Román]. Can you tell me what it’s all about?
"Actually, that song wasn’t even supposed to end up on the EP [Heights]. I had all the songs that I thought I wanted. However, during the recording process I’m just vibing a lot. You listen to the songs being played back and get inspired all over again. I was getting really pumped about the music, so I picked up a guitar and started messing around with a few riffs. The guitar parts came to me and the song was done within the next half hour. It was one of those situations where it just clicked and I had to get the music out right away. I had a constant feeling that I happened to jot down and get out within a short time frame."
"It was around this time that I was introduced to Alexa [San Román, vocalist/guitarist of band Love, Robot] over the internet by a mutual friend. We had a conversation before the song was created and after it was done, I had this idea that her voice would sound really cool on it. I always wanted to feature a female vocalist. Even though my sister is a singer, she focuses primarily on other styles that didn’t fit as well with “Pull Together.” I asked Alexa, she was into it, and the song came to be what it is. We put it out and fortunately, fans were highly receptive."
Love, Robot
How did you go from being in the California-based band Sink Swim to joining the Long Island natives in Love, Robot?
"I was doing Sink Swim for a while and would be writing and recording a lot of the music [on my own], having friends help out with live shows. I don’t take myself too seriously as a person, but as a musician it’s totally different. As far as accomplishing my goals and getting my songs out there into the world, I take it very seriously. It’s not easy to get everyone on the same page and have them fully commit to the music. As the band was gaining more notoriety, I started to notice some friends dwindling away from the project."
"It was during this period when we were putting out our most recent EP [Heights] that Alexa called me. We were discussing our current situations in the music industry and it led to her asking me if I’d be interested in joining her band [Love, Robot]. It didn’t really take much time for me to decide--I said yes!"
"I had flown out to Long Island before to record the “Pull Together” video [edited by Ego Alley Productions, a homegrown video production company created by Alexa San Román and her sister Sam] and met the rest of Love, Robot [Nicholas Starrantino, bass and Anthony Rega, drums]. I realized how hardworking they are, and that convinced me I was making the right decision in relocating across the country. I knew we were going to do great things together."
Do you think the alternative music scene is different on the West and East coast?
"I remember that when I first moved out to Long Island to play Love, Robot shows, all the kids were loud and receptive. They would just be running around and getting crazy, and I loved seeing them so into the music. That connection between musician and fan happened really quickly."
"When playing in California with Sink Swim, you have to hit the main areas like Los Angeles. Sometimes, you have no idea how a show is going to turn out and you might end up playing to just the sound guy. Whenever kids did show up, they definitely got into the music. However, it appears that fans on Long Island are constantly craving new music and eager to support it. In the L.A. scene, people are more specific about their own lives. Long Island really provides that all-important support system."
One of the biggest criticisms of this “black pop” genre is that everything sounds the same. What makes Love, Robot stand out?
"There’s a certain grittiness to it that’s signature, and Alexa’s voice is also very unique. It’s the type of voice where if you are familiar with her at all, you’ll be able to recognize it immediately. As far as the band as a whole, everyone works really hard and I think that shows in the music. A lot of music gets jumbled up and sounds the same, but it’s those few elements of Love, Robot that set it apart. It’s fairly obvious that we have our own thing, and that’s pretty special."
What is your favorite Love, Robot song to play live?
"Sometimes I like playing the older songs. [The fans] always love when we play “Cucha.” It’s an emotional song. I get to spin around [while playing] and really have fun with that one."
"Usually, it’s whatever fans will go crazy for. When B.A.D. [latest Love, Robot album released in 2014] came out, people were really into “Drive.” I also enjoy “What Lies Between Your Skin And Your Bones” and “Teeth.”"
"It definitely changes. It depends on the place we’re playing, the fans, and even the kind of day I had leading up to the show."
You’ve been a lead vocalist/guitarist in Sink Swim and guitarist for Love, Robot. Do you prefer one role over the other?
"I’m on a stage regardless and people are watching, so it’s all good! I enjoy whatever it is, but usually if I’m singing, I’m happy. Whether I’m playing guitar as well, or simply focusing on vocals, I just love it. Guitar is great too, but there’s something special about using your voice."
Love, Robot is a remarkably talented band that isn’t signed. What are some of the advantages to doing it all on your own?
"Doing it DIY is pretty interesting, and we’re fortunate enough to have people that help keep us going in terms of buying merch and CDs. That support alone has helped us move forward and do the things that we want to do."
"Signing with a label is a great thing, but the deal still has to be right. Depending on the situation, the deal needs to be the best choice for everyone in the band. We all need to be on the same page and be ready to move forward with it."
"It’s not that [Love, Robot] hasn’t thought about signing, it’s just that we are all busy making different kinds of music. If something were to come up along the way and “all the stars were to align” per-say, we would do what we felt was right. Whatever we are doing, it’s because that’s where our hearts are."
Reflecting
What has been your most memorable live show?
"Sink Swim had played a show at The Troubadour in L.A. with a few friends. It was a situation in which we had to sell a bunch of tickets. We actually ended up selling all those tickets and more! It was great to play a sold out show at, what I feel, is one of the coolest venues in L.A. I felt accomplished to have been able to play on a stage that so many big names [Elton John, the Eagles, Van Morrison] have been on before."
"The Love, Robot record release show for B.A.D. was really fun. It was my first time playing with them and I finally got the chance to see how their fans react. It was a surreal experience, playing a show after practicing for so long. Once we got in front of the crowd and everyone was going crazy, I started to go crazy! I hope everyone who was there remembers that show. I know I was spinning around, sweating and whipping my hair back and forth, and Nick [Starrantino, bass] was doing the same thing. Everyone was just smiling at each other the whole time. That’s what it’s literally all about."
What is the best advice you’ve been given in terms of your music career?
"My parents have always given me the best advice. It’s not even just about music, but with whatever I want to do in life. I’m a big believer in my gut feelings, so if I feel something I have to go with it. That has definitely played into my decision of moving all the way out to Long Island and it’s led me down a great path."
"The best advice I’ve gotten is to keep going and don’t let anything bring you down. Just follow your gut and work for it. If something’s a big deal for you, then you are going to do whatever it takes to accomplish it. I can’t quit or give up, I just love to write music and I’m going to keep doing that."
Do you have any words for aspiring musicians?
"Kids message me sometimes and I think that’s really cool. I like to make myself as available as possible for anyone who is interested in talking to me for whatever reason. I love speaking to people who have a story or want to ask me a question about music. I tell them to practice all the time and make sure they have a clear vision of where they want to go [with their music]. Put your heart into and if it’s right, people will receive that. If it’s real and authentic, people can tell, and if it’s not, people can see that as well. Keep working for it--you can’t give up."
---
At this point, Dane and I witnessed a group of teenagers dangling off the side of a bridge that served as a pathway over a pond. That was a pretty good indication of Long Island kids--constantly in search of adventure. Whether it be falling into the water or discovering our next favorite band, we are always on the prowl for something exciting. This spirit is what allows local bands like Love, Robot to keep doing what they love.
I’m sure everyone is wondering why I didn’t ask Dane the most important questions: What is the deal with these Love, Robot breakup rumors and when are we going to hear this new stuff Dane and Alexa have been hinting about? I did indeed ask Dane, who said that he is not at liberty to discuss the details at this time. Fear not Robateers (new name for devoted fans, maybe?) all shall be revealed soon! Keep your eyes glued to social media and sure enough, you will check your twitter one morning and receive a pleasant surprise!
Once again, a big thank you to Dane Petersen for taking the time to do the interview. I think I speak for myself and fellow fans when I say that whatever it is that comes next, we will all be there to support it!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Instagram: dane_christopher
Band info: lovecommarobot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment