The eagerly anticipated second album from Orlando, Florida punk rockers Dial Drive is titled “Burning Bridges”. This dynamic release, the band’s second full-length after the 2019 album “Wasted Time,” demonstrates their diverse range of influences from genres within the Alternative and Punk genres. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
Jake LeDrew: We started in early 2017 in Orlando, FL. Nate (guitar/ vocals) and myself used to throw big house parties at his house, and one night we started drunkenly jamming some music on acoustic guitars and we decided to form a band. This is my first band, so it’s been really cool to see it grow. We’ve had some lineup changes over the years, but there has been no bad blood and I think it’s cool that a lot of people have been involved with developing our sound.
2. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
Jake LeDrew: I think a lot of our songs are pretty easy to interpret. A lot revolve around the darker themes of death, depression, drugs, anxiety, losing friends, heartbreak, etc… But they’re pretty much all mixed in with positive things too like skateboarding, partying, love, etc. I’ve noticed a lot of our songs end up with that mix. That’s not really intentional too, especially lyrically, which I think it pretty cool.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘DIAL DRIVE?
Jake LeDrew: There have been a ton. We all grew up and still listen to punk like NOFX, Pennywise, ALL. Same with darker/emo stuf like AFI, Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday. And then there’s the more fun Ska stuf like Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, Against All Authority. The house Nate and I used to throw parties at was on a street named Dial Drive. We couldn’t think of a name while we were jamming there one day. Then that just clicked and it felt right.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
Jake LeDrew: I’ve always wanted to make music that wasn’t “cooke cutter”. I like that we have a dynamic sound. I’ve always wanted Dial Drive to be able to open for bands Senses Fail, Bad Religion, or Reel Big Fish with it making sense for all genres under the Punk or Alternative umbrella.
5. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
Jake LeDrew:
I think we’ve grown a lot since forming. While we’re still not quite where we want to be, we’ve done a ton of cool shit. We’ve played a ton of cool festivals, we’re toured most of the United States, we have fans all over the world who listen to our music and order our merch. The grind can be a lot, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
6. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
DIAL DRIVE: I think the growth of our sound from our first EP to our new album is pretty wild. The first thing we put out kind of had the Pop Punk sound reminiscent of an early Blink 182, and it think that’s kind of common for the first release from a Pop Punk band. As we had time to really settle on our sound, we brought in a lot of elements from genres outside of that. We still get billed as a “Pop Punk” band all the time, but I feel that we have A LOT of sounds that make what we do a little more unique.
7. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and afront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
Jake LeDrew: There’s a lot of bands out there that handle the political side better than we do. I know we’re a punk band but that’s not something we’re really interested in writing in. I know it’s cliche but writing songs is very cathartic, so whatever we’re feeling at the time it what the song will be about.
8. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or diferent in the future?
Jake LeDrew: Emotionally? Sure. It’s nice to be able to scream stuf to the crowd that I’d never want to talk about one on one with someone. Professionally? Not quite. We’re a band that’s in the chase. We’ve been going pretty non stop since we’ve started and we’re always looking to keep growing and become bigger.
9. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
Jake LeDrew: I’ve talked about this in a few interviews before, but I really love our writing process. We usually start with an idea from myself or Nate. From there, Nate and I typically like to get the structure down before we bring it to the rest of the band. From there, the song really picks up steam. Every member of the band has a lot of say as to what goes into the songwriting process. Everyone has good ideas. We’re all credited as the songwriters for every song. It can be the craziest thing too. I can think I have a perfect song, and then Billy (drums) can suggest a change that totally takes the song to the next level. I’d hate to be in a band where one guy does it all and everyone else just has to play along.
10. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
Jake LeDrew: We’ve been promised the world far too many times. Whether it’s from a booking agent, a label, a manager, etc. This band is more than just a fun project to us so we take things pretty seriously and maybe at times a little too personally. That’s why it took so long to get this album released. After waiting around for other people outside of the band to figure out what they wanted to do with our art, we decided to say fuck it an release it ourselves.
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