Interviews: Silver Dollar Room
On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band, Silver Dollar Room, from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?
Silver Dollar Room is a bar in Toronto Canada which was the location used for The
Blue Oyster Bar in the Police Academy Movies. Early on in the band, we joked about
making the album a Police Academy concept album because we love the movies so
much. That didn’t last long but we thought having a name based around the movie
would be fun. Lisa came up with the idea and we all loved it.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
This is just what we do. We have all lived and breathed alternative rock and grunge
our whole lives. It’s not that we want to, we have to!
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Yes and no! Jamie and Doug have been friends since their teenage years. Jamie had
produced John’s old band in the studio. And Jamie and Lisa are in another band
together. So he brought everyone together!
4. Each band member's favorite band?
Jamie: I don’t have a favorite really; I love lots of bands. And some of them are
certain eras of bands. I adore early Pearl Jam and Counting Crows, but not at all
keen on the later stuff. The only band whose entire back catalog I love is Alice In
Chains.
John: I don’t really have an all-time favorite band but my favorite artist is
Prince. He is someone who embodies everything I adore about music... that being
not confined to any rules while creating. A true searcher.
Dan: Soundgarden would be my favorite band, they had such a diverse mix of
sounds with each member contributing. They are also a very challenging band to
get into which makes their discography all the more rewarding.
Lisa: Likewise, I don’t have an ultimate favorite band or genre and as a multi-instrumentalist, I love different music for different reasons. As the singer and
songwriter I primarily am, Tori Amos is a huge influence. There’s a dark beauty to
her style of writing and I love that.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Jamie: Being in a room with other musicians is the most inspiring way to write for
me. I have come up with so much music that way. On the fly and in the moment
can get some great results. Recently I have come up with ideas on my own and
demoed them at home into a basic format. But it’s only the collaboration that
brings it to life.
John: Anything and everything inspires me to write. I do prefer to write alone
because I’m never one for just going to a specific place to focus on writing. I can be
inspired to write something just by walking to the bus stop or stopping mid-dinner to
write or record a melody on my phone.....just very sporadic really.
Dan: Inspiration for me comes from solitude and entering into a creative mindset.
Anything from watching a film or being in nature can inspire ideas for me.
Lisa: For me, writing is often very personal and can be like a diary entry for me. If I
can capture a moment in time, job done. It doesn’t even matter if I feel the same
about it later, it helps me grow in many ways.
6. Where was your last gig?
Jamie: SDR hasn’t played a gig yet, but my last one was in a castle in Aberdeen!
John: If I remember correctly my last gig was at the Garage in Glasgow.
Dan: The garage in Glasgow as well I believe!
Lisa: As a working musician, I’m gigging most weeks, but the last real gig of note
would be Moshville Winterfest at Ivory Blacks with my punk band AC Rid.
7. Where would you like to act?
Any Scottish band will say the same thing – Barrowlands Ballroom in Glasgow. It’s
a magical place and is the favorite venue in the whole world for Dave Grohl.
John: Awww man good question..... there are too many amazing venues to choose
from if I'm being honest. I always wanted to play at the venue in Edinburgh. I was at
one of the last ever gigs and it always stuck in my mind that I would never get the
chance to play on that stage.
Dan: I would say King Tuts is a very iconic venue and has a great history, as well as
The Barrowlands.
Lisa: In recent years, it’s been festivals that have given me the most pleasure. Big or
small, bringing your music to a new audience is always satisfying and I hope to do
lots of that with SDR.
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
Honestly, anyone who we fit with.
9. Whom not?
Honestly, anyone we don’t fit with.
10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?
Jamie: If you are well rehearsed and can do it on your own, then you can do it in
front of people. Preparation brings confidence. Nerves for me come from not
feeling fully prepared. The audience will add to the energy and excitement. The
idea of playing in front of thousands of people only excites me, it doesn’t make me
nervous. So my advice is to be prepared and be prepared to feed off the people in
the room.
John: It's a funny one this... you join a band to share your art with folk but sometimes the nerves make you forget about this. I always just remind myself of
why I’m there and what got me on that stage in the first place. That would be my
advice to anyone, especially for a first gig. I think nerves bring a certain kind of
excitement to the whole process. I’d rather be nervous than not..... that’s for sure.
Dan: I’m with Jamie and John on this one, preparation and practice are key for
performing to your best abilities.
Lisa: It’s difficult at times, as to be on stage requires some level of ego. You’ve got
to believe you’re good at it in some way and that only truly comes with the hard
work that confirms it. Imposter syndrome is something I’ve very much suffered
from in the past, but it’s been a good push too, and I think it’s one of the reasons I
play so many instruments. If I’m challenged, I’m working hard and therefore
getting better. Keep going, keep working, it’s the only way.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
Jamie: Guns n Roses is the band that made me a musician. Watching Slash play
inspired me to be a musician. I can literally pinpoint the moment when I declared
– ‘I’m in!’. Outside that, Pearl Jam, Manics, Nirvana, Bush, Placebo, Pumpkins…..
the list goes on and on! I’m inspired by music and musicians!
John: it wasn’t really a band or artist for me. it started with very early house
music and blues, soul, and Motown. My mum used to run raves and club nights in
the very early 90s. There were always DJs around the house mixing records and just
playing this amazing music. I knew then it was something I wanted to be a part of.
My uncle was a famous blues musician in his own right and I was always inspired
and freaked out by hearing the stories of Robert Johnson selling his soul for his
talent..... I knew then that I wanted to write and be involved in music.
Dan: My brother gave me The Offsprings Americana cassette and after that, it was
game over!
Lisa: For me, it’s always been the musicians I’ve surrounded myself with that have
influenced me most. I joined my first band punk band at 15 and instantly found my
people. I’ve been around them ever since.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
Jamie: Whilst not a specific thing, I get weirded out when folk try to talk to me in
the toilets when I am having a piss. Toilet etiquette is simple… Keep your eye on
the prize and get on with the job at hand!
John: I do remember one really drunk dude asking me to swap shirts with him.....
tbf the shirt was pretty badass so I don’t blame him for asking haha. He must have
asked 3 or 4 times throughout the night which completely weirded me out
considering it was caked in sweat from just performing.
Lisa: Yuck. Kinda hate that my experience of this might differ from the guys but
yeah, as a female, I’ve had some pretty weird and gross encounters. Sad to have to
say so in 2024.
13. What do you think of your fans?
Jamie: When we meet them we will let you know. My mum thinks we are great,
she is alright!
John: like Jamie said.... we will let you know “IF” and when we have some!
14. What do you think of our site?
It’s pretty mental. We can't believe the reach and massive amount of bands from all
over the world! We loved being able to filter bands by country!
15. Something add?
Be excellent to each other!
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