Interviews: Dead Defined

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Hard Rock solo project, Dead Defined from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The band name actually comes from a dark place but the music is actually quite positive ha. The origin of it stems from questioning one’s own mortality. I’d been watching too many documentaries at the time about assisted suicide in the critically ill and elderly and the question I always asked myself was how does one define death? It’s a bit morbid I know, but Dead Defined had a better ring to it than any other descriptive pairing of words.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

I actually like to dabble in all different genres at the moment. Being a solo artist I’m more free to experiment with many styles of music. I love my Metal/Hard Rock roots but also like some Top 40 tracks as well. This last release was kind of an experimental track as it’s not like my previous releases. Thankfully the feedback has been positive as I’d like to further showcase diversity in my music. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Dead Defined is a solo project. I have hired musicians when playing live

4. Each band member favourite band?

Dead Defined is a solo project. I have hired musicians when playing live

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It can really be anything to be honest. Most of my ideas do however come from real life situations as I like to be able to relate to my listeners and for them to be able to relate to my music lyrically. I don’t ever have just one process of writing as well. It could start off as something I’m humming in my head to something I’ve written on guitar. I’ve written some of my best material starting with just a hooky set of lyrics as the foundation to the song.

6. Where was your last gig?

My last gig took place in my hometown of Uxbridge, Ont. It was actually not a ‘Dead Defined’ show but another local band I was fronting for at the time. We’ve since put the band on hiatus because of the pandemic which is sad but hopefully once everything is somewhat back to normal, we can start jamming again. As far as a ‘Dead Defined’ show, I formed the project in 2018 and was working on the promotion aspect online and via radio to gather a following before announcing any live shows but then Covid shut everything down. I’ve yet to play a ‘live’ show with a full band setup as of 2021.

7. Where would you like to perform?

My dream stage to play would be Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, USA. It basically looks like it’s chiselled out of these massive Red Rocks and you’re surrounded by them on either side of the venue. It’s a pretty steep slope to the stage as well. The overall appearance of that place looks like something straight out of Mars. Some of my favourite bands/musicians have played on that stage and I’ve heard nothing but great feedback.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Being a millennial who grew up loving the early 2000’s Numetal/Hard Rock scene I have quite the list of bands tallied up that I’d love to play the same stage with. Papa Roach, KoRn, Breaking Benjamin, P.O.D., Sevendust, Alter Bridge, Staind... just to name a few haha Living in Canada we sadly haven’t had many of them tour up here. They only cross the border about once per year.

9. Whom not?

I don’t really have anyone in mind that I’d not be wanting to tour or perform with. Being in the Rock’n Roll scene in Canada, it’s kind of a close-knit community. Everyone tries to help each other out, whether it be promoting a gig or the live performance aspect. It’s more of a team effort and not a competition when it comes to getting your music heard. We all want the same thing at the end of the day so it’s best to work together then against each other.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

A great impowering mental trick of overcoming stage fright or any type of fear, is to just do it. It sounds simple I know, but trust me not everyone can just jump into something they are deathly afraid of. It takes time and you do need to move at your own pace. I used to have crippling anxiety in my younger years and had to do a lot of work on myself and my inner demons to be able to overcome it. Thankfully, stage fright hasn’t really ever affected me to the point of no return. That being said, I do always get butterflies and spikes of adrenaline before I hit the stage but that’s what makes it fun oddly enough! It takes a lot of inner monologue though to be able to overcome that fight or flight when stepping foot in front of an audience. I approach nervousness as that I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, and that’s okay! In the words of Will Smith, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The bands that are still out there kicking ass after many years. Some of my favourite bands are thankfully still together after 15-20 years. Guys like Papa Roach, POD, Sevendust, Alter Bridge are who I look up to as an artist. Their longevity and dedicated fanbase is something to strive for as that’s what keeps a band relevant.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

To be honest I haven’t had anything that ‘weird’ as a request. Not that I’d be opposed to such a request if it ever happened haha, but nothing comes to mind as of yet.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think me along with every artist can say we LOVE our fans. They’re in a way why we continue to play and write. Not everyone can say someone genuinely likes and supports what they do in life, especially artistic wise. It’s an odd dynamic for me to process sometimes as I find myself the same as any other person on this planet, I just do something that people admire and enjoy that is more or less my everyday routine. To be able to actually chat and connect with fans via social media is a really cool thing.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it’s a great platform to help musicians and bands like myself promote the music they create and be able to express their opinions on it. Any little bit helps these days as there are so much mainstream media and social media in the world that it overcrowds independent musicians from being heard. If it comes from a reliable source like your website and reputation, people are much more inclined to interact with it. I thank you for that.

15. Something to add?

Just want to say thanks for your time and the opportunity! I hope your followers/fans are now more inclined to check out my music as Dead Defined! I have also just dropped brand new merch for the 1st time on my website. It’s pretty exciting to be able to create new ideas on items being sold directly through me. It’s another creative outlet I can have fun with. I hope to design and sell fresh new products 2-3 times a month. Shipping Worldwide. Please have a look and hopefully it’s something your readers will be interested in. www.deaddefined.com/store Much Love, Craig Ewan.