-‘Expectations and dreams are the fuel for living and creating’-
Daphne and the Fuzz recently released their debut album and, admittedly, it came as a pleasant surprise to many of us. ‘We create what we’re dreaming of and we keep dreaming that our creations will take us far’, they say and it seems that this is the ‘magic’ element for the band’s promising future. Here is what they shared with us about their album, work and plans:
Hello from Last Day Deaf, I’m really happy to have you here. So, guys, you formed Daphne And The Fuzz in 2012 and now, four years later, you released your debut album. What was that period you were creating your album like?
A lot of things changed during that period – we grew a bit wiser, we found our style, set our expectations and worked a lot within this new situation, which gave our album its final form.
And what about your collaboration with Inner Ear Records? How did it come up?
We had first collaborated with Inner Ear Records when they had asked us to include our single ‘Doop Doop’ in their ‘INN Pop’ compilation. It was easier for us to ask of them to release our full album too, and we were very excited when they agreed!
Was the vintage pop sound your goal from the beginning or did it come up through the process, through the counter-reaction between the band members?
The songs were written in a period of 4 years so it was difficult to have a single style. We chose the songs that shared similar elements and decided together with the band and our producer that these compositions sound best when performed in a vintage pop style.
Which are your main influences? Do you all have similar background as listeners?
Every single song we listen to is an influence. We all love the 60s and 70s for their psychedelia, rock, pop, soul and blues. Back then it was all as one. This is what we tried to achieve in our album. But we try to listen to as many different and new things as possible, have a good perspective of the contemporary music scene and try to adapt and incorporate the things we like in our own music.
How do you feel about your style? Is it solid in your minds, or is there a chance that we could experience a totally different sound from you in the future?
It will definitely change in the future, or at least we hope so. We would like to evolve our music style and songwriting. Our first album was our introduction to the music industry; something to promise that our presence will be continued.
How come you didn’t include in your album your previously released single ‘Doop Doop’? It became a hit in Greece and someone might think that it would be an asset for the album.
‘Doop Doop’ had already found its way in the ‘INN Pop’ compilation and through local radio. Plus, it had a different style from our LP. It seemed a bit outdated to us and we wanted to leave it behind.
Regarding the album lyrics, there is a lot of saying about expectations and dreams waiting to be true. What are the band’s expectations? What’s the cliff you’re trying to reach?
We would like our music to take us as far as possible. Expectations and dreams are the fuel for living and creating. We create what we’re dreaming of and we keep dreaming that our creations will take us far. It’s like a circle and a renewable energy source.
I’ve noticed that you have already given some live shows in Athens. In fact your second video, ‘Journey To Mars’, came from one of those. What are your plans concerning your live performances? Will you try to introduce yourselves abroad? How difficult is this task for a Greek band? I imagine that most of you, if not all of you, have also got other businesses to handle…
This summer we are excited to perform at Up Festival in Amorgos and we will probably play at some other summer Greek festivals. Touring the world with our music is definitely the ultimate goal but it takes work, time, luck and money to reach that point. We are lucky that for most of us music is our first priority but still it requires a lot of organizing to start touring outside Greek borders.
Now, Daphne, allow me a personal question. You have a university degree in journalism, and as you have stated in other interviews, at present you are studying film-making. Actually, you directed the band’s first video ‘Burn Down your House’. Is there any chance that the director’s seat could supersede music and become your first priority in the future?
I like both sound and images; most of the time I can’t tell one from the other. The ideal thing to do would be to combine them, like directing videos for my music or even creating projects that are both visual and musical at the same time. The realistic view is that my first priority will be whatever helps me make a living.
Well, I think now you’re going to love this one. Describe the chances musicians in Greece have to make a living by playing the music they like and not submitting to mainstream demands…
At this point the chances are zero. But I think that if a lot of Greek bands decided to collaborate and help one another, present their music under a same label or style (without having to be similar in music style, just in perspective) and found a way to communicate their work to the Greek mainstream media, we would have a chance. For now all that seems like a midsummer night’s dream.
What do you think that has to be done in order for the Greek alternative scene to manage a breakthrough in Europe? I mean recently we are watching more and more good records coming out, including yours, and productions – again Alex Bolpasis has done great work with your album- have nothing to be jealous of the international ones anymore. Do you think that a grand domestic audience is important, or isn’t it that necessary after all?
The same thing I mentioned above goes for a European breakthrough. It doesn’t have to begin from Greece. Indeed there are great works coming out but it’s not enough. We should have a lot of money to organize ourselves in Europe; we‘re actually looking for a great donor. If anyone out there believes in the Greek music scene and wants to invest in it to see it make a worldwide breakthrough, don’t hesitate to communicate! [Laughs] Dreaming is free!
Do you believe that the crisis going on for the last 6 years in Greece fueled some artistic, musical creativity? Were you affected by the whole situation?
When there was still money and jobs in other professions most people would choose to be a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher and have a stable future, financially. Now that everything is unsure it’s easier to do whatever makes us really happy. Personally, I wasn’t really affected by that in deciding to be involved in the arts; this is something I had decided before finishing school. But I am affected now that I have graduated a college that wasn’t exactly what I wanted (can you list the Public Greek Universities that have to do with art in practice?) and I cannot find a job unless I work for 2 years unpaid. No thanks, I prefer to work for 2 or more years unpaid for myself and my music.
What will be your next step?
Our next step is to work on new music, then tour Greece, tour Europe, conquer the world and never stop being creative and happy.
Thanks so much for your interview! I wish all the best for you!
Thank you too!
Photo credits: Mariza Kapsabeli
Yiannis Apostolopoulos