The Indie Distributor recently sat down with Andy Du Rego, the talented frontman of Black Suit Devil and The Blues Emergency. Andy opens up about his creative journey, the evolution of his sound, and the inspiration behind his latest album The Eternal Sleep. From the dark undertones of his lyrics to the infusion of hope and optimism, Andy shares candid insights into his musical process and personal experiences.
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The Indie Distributor: Thanks for coming on. We’re doing a series of interviews with amazing musicians like yourself for The Indie Distributor. It’s a way to get to know the people behind the music and give you an opportunity to talk about your creative process. My name is Kevin. We’ve met before. I’m the lead singer of Shoemaker Levee and have been working with Russ and Val for a couple of years to promote indie artists. So, Andy, why don’t you introduce yourself and give us a little background on your focus?
Andy Du Rego: Yeah, I’m Andy Du Rego, a singer-songwriter. I front a solo project called Black Suit Devil that’s been going 10 years strong. I’m also the frontman of a psychedelic blues rock band called The Blues Emergency, which has been active since 2012.
The Indie Distributor: Great to meet you here, and thanks for the intro. I wanted to ask about the new record “The Eternal Sleep”. It seems to be the first full-length release since “A Matter of Time” in 2019. What changes have you made as an artist since then?
Andy Du Rego: I’ve expanded musically and technically. The album was written in a week during the lockdowns. All my tours got cancelled, so I reconnected with my electric guitar. People know me from Black Suit Devil, but I’ve always been a heavy metal guitar player. I wanted to improve my lead guitar chops and had the time to dive into it. The album took a darker approach due to everything going on, and the heavy sound complemented that. It was a very organic record and a snapshot of that period.
The Indie Distributor: That’s amazing. You touched on the dark aspect of it. There are a lot of hard truths in your lyrics, but there’s also an underpinning of hope. What do you want people to take away from the record?
Andy Du Rego: I’m an optimist. Despite the challenges in life, I believe we will prevail and that love will conquer. I didn’t want to leave a grim record. I believe we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. I infused hope in the songs, with uplifting guitar solos following dark sections.
The Indie Distributor: That’s great and makes sense. People need an outlet for their frustration but also need something that leads them forward. It’s important to have a positive mindset. So, some liner note details: Did you have session musicians on the record?
Andy Du Rego: On “A Matter of Time,” I had about 21 session musicians. For this record, I kept it simple with a three-piece: myself, John Brand on bass, and Vic Freitas on drums. We recorded during the lockdowns, experimenting with different drum kits and mic placements. It was the best recording experience I’ve ever had.
The Indie Distributor: Wow, that sounds amazing. Having the freedom to explore different aspects must have been great. So, what’s your favourite track on the record?
Andy Du Rego: It bounces back and forth. “Passage” was the first song I wrote and connected with. “Buried and Used” was another one. I was unsure of it at first because it was a drastic change, diving into grungier metal roots. I almost didn’t put it on the record but decided to make it the first track to signal the change.
The Indie Distributor: It’s an opus, almost an eight-minute song with a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed it. Who are your main influences for this record?
Andy Du Rego: Lenny Kravitz, Alice in Chains, STP, Metallica, Maiden. You can hear influences in different tracks. I’m a huge Metallica fan and have always felt connected to the recording process. During the lockdowns, I took a lot of online studio sessions to improve my skills.
The Indie Distributor: That’s fascinating. What’s next for you? Any upcoming shows or promotions?
Andy Du Rego: I’m doing a CD release party on Saturday at South Shore Bar and Grill in Etobicoke with a full band. After that, I’m hitting the road for a month, doing a cross-Canada tour. I’ll be part of the Dog Patch Music Festival in Saskatchewan and have many shows lined up.
The Indie Distributor: That’s amazing. All the best for the release party and the tour. Thanks for joining me and sharing your insights. Looking forward to seeing more from you soon.
Andy Du Rego: Thanks for doing this. Appreciate it. Looking forward to Gusapolooza this year and seeing you guys there.
The Indie Distributor: We’ll be there. Take care, brother!
Andy Du Rego: Take care!