Category: Musician Interviews

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!

The Indie Distributor got a chance to have a great conversation with The Human Drive’s Josh Wareham (lead vocals and bass guitar) about their latest release, “ERA | END”. We explore the inspiration behind the album, the impact of a founding member’s departure, and the creative process involving a new producer. 

We also touched on the challenges and rewards of integrating technology into their music, navigating the evolving music industry, and the balance between artistic integrity and audience expectations. 

The Indie Distributor: So I wanted to talk to you about your new release, which you’ve worked on steadfastly. We just wanted to dig into that a little bit and find out, what is the era that ended as a result of this release? What’s the meaning behind the title and the philosophy of how you approached the new release?

Josh Wareham: Our new release is aptly named “ERA | END” and it’s the last few songs in a collection of five we’ve been working on for the last couple of years. We call it “ERA | END” because our longtime guitar player, Adam Finney, one of the founding members of The Human Drive, chose to depart from the band a couple of months ago. It was a mutual decision; he’s a great guy and one of our best friends. We built this band together with him. However, the three of us—me, John, and Nick—always had more of a modern rock, progressive background, while Adam was more into classic rock. So, the name signifies the end of an era because Adam was an integral part of our sound. It’s bittersweet to have the songs out because of songs like “Break the Cycle, and “Mind and Body,” which fans and family have gravitated towards over the years. Finally having them out was a long time coming.

The Indie Distributor: According to Daniel Ek, at least it costs nothing, right?

Josh Wareham: (laughs) Obviously, on the backend, it takes a lot to release a song and get it to the point where you’re happy to share it and not completely sick of it. We hooked up with a new producer, Luc Chiasson https://www.lucchiasson.com/ He helped us breathe new life into these songs. At first, we were sitting on them for a year, not so stoked about them, but Luc helped us give the songs their proper due. We’re really stoked about the way they ended up, and it’s a full-circle moment for us.

The Indie Distributor: When in the cycle did you decide to bring a producer into the mix?

Josh Wareham: It came largely from our first EP in 2018, which we did mostly ourselves with some friends of Nick, our drummer. They started a production company called Line One. It was cool to work with friends, bounce ideas off each other, and have that open-mindedness to production. With our new material, we wanted to see what a producer could do for us. The other guys were on the fence, but once we met Luc, it was clear he understood what we were going for. It was the right move to make, and finally, we have someone on the same page as us.

The Indie Distributor: There’s often a reluctance to work with a producer because of the fear of giving away creative control. How did you find that process?

Josh Wareham: With “ERA | END” and “Break the Cycle” and “Mind and Body,” we came to Luc with a 95% finished product, and he made some suggestions that breathed new life into the songs. Starting from the ground up with new material was different. At first, it was hard to adjust to someone else’s suggestions, but we learned to digest the ideas, talk them over, and try them out. It’s about compromise and working together to create the best possible music. It’s not about giving up creative control but enhancing the final product.

The Indie Distributor: How has the technical process of your studio work evolved with this new set compared to earlier releases?

Josh Wareham: We’re leaning more into our influences and who we’ve always wanted to be. It’s about doing something well and building upon it. We’ve learned not to get too married to songs and to keep creating more. It’s about consistently putting in the work and evolving as a band.

The Indie Distributor: There’s a lot of push and pull as musicians, balancing the day job with the creative process. Finding your audience is also crucial. How do you navigate this?

Josh Wareham: It’s about focusing on the people who appreciate your sound and not diluting your music to appeal to a wider audience. It’s about creating something that resonates with you as an artist and finding that microcosm of people who support it.

The Indie Distributor: Tell me about Pyra Records. Is that your label?

Josh Wareham: We go through DistroKid, which allows you to create your own label name if you don’t have one. Pyra Records is almost like a solo persona I’ve messed with before. It’s not an actual label but something we use for our releases.

The Indie Distributor: What’s next for you? Are you focusing on new material or upcoming gigs?

Josh Wareham: We’re mainly focusing on new material and integrating more technology into our live shows. We’ve started using backing tracks, which at first was a bit weird, but now we wish we did it years ago. It adds new elements like synths that we couldn’t do before. We’re embracing the technology while keeping the organic feel of our music.

The Indie Distributor: How do you balance using technology without losing the human element of your performance?

Josh Wareham: It’s about using technology to enhance the performance, not replace it. We still want to give a great live show even if the laptop crashes. Technology should be an addition, not a crutch.

The Indie Distributor: Thank you for taking the time to chat. I’m looking forward to your next set of songs and seeing you at Gussapolooza 2024!

Josh Wareham: Likewise, we have some exciting stuff coming up, and you’ll be one of the first we contact. Thanks for the support!

We recently caught up with Jeff Gutteridge, an indie musician from Lindsay Ontario known for his work with “Looking for Heather” and his recent journey into making his first solo record “Dark Country”. In this interview, Jeff shares insights into his creative process, the journey of selecting songs for his solo record, and the challenges of balancing band dynamics with personal expression. He also discusses the intricacies of recording, producing, and promoting his music, offering valuable advice for fellow indie artists.

Indie Distributor: Thanks for jumping on. The whole point of this is to get a deeper insight from indie musicians about their experiences in the recording process and the creative process in general. What can we learn collaboratively from these experiences as individual musicians and as part of a band? Clearly, you’ve released a new record, so I wanted to ask a couple of questions about that. What was the thought process behind selecting the songs that went on the record, knowing you’re in “Looking for Heather” but also working on a solo project?

Jeff Gutteridge: Well, it started about a year ago when Jay and I, my partner in “Looking for Heather,” were working on new material for that project. We determined what was going to make up the record that we have coming out later this year or early next year. There were a bunch of songs left over that I liked, which we decided wouldn’t make it to the next “Looking for Heather” project. But I felt they still had merit. I don’t want people to think of them as leftover songs; they just weren’t a good fit for the “Looking for Heather” project. Jay and I both agreed I should record them, similar to his solo project. So, that’s what it stemmed from—collaborating on “Looking for Heather” leads to solo records because, why not? We have the songs, and someone might like them.

Indie Distributor: Yeah, no, absolutely. The record is great. One thing I sometimes get asked about solo work is how you decide what fits or doesn’t fit. I know it might be a hard question to answer.

Jeff Gutteridge: No, it’s very true. When we were putting the “Looking for Heather” record together, we had a specific sound in mind. The songs just didn’t fit. It’s harder for me than it is for Jay because he doesn’t sing in the band much. He does backup vocals and occasionally lead vocals. Being the singer and songwriter, people might think the solo work sounds like “Looking for Heather” anyway. Naturally, it’s going to do that because it’s coming from the same voice. But I tried to do different things with this record to make it distinct from a “Looking for Heather” album.

Indie Distributor: Do you find that lyrically, the solo songs fit more with what you’d prefer as your solo statement rather than a band statement?

Jeff Gutteridge: Yeah, that’s a big piece of it. I tried to write these songs differently from what I’d do with “Looking for Heather.” With the band, there’s more collaboration and input from the other members. With the solo project, it’s exactly how I want to do it, without filtering through other opinions.

Indie Distributor: So, are the musicians working with you on the solo record the same as those in the band?

Jeff Gutteridge: The solo record was played almost entirely by myself. I did all the drums, guitars, and vocals. I had a bass player come in because I don’t consider myself much of a bass player. It wasn’t Jay, not because he couldn’t do it, but because we didn’t want it to feel like another “Looking for Heather” project.

Indie Distributor: For sure. So, did you work with a producer, or was it mostly self-produced?

Jeff Gutteridge: It was all done by me. I have a studio in the house, and I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. It doesn’t cost me anything, so I can just fly down to the studio and start recording whenever I want.

Indie Distributor: There’s sophistication in the production, which is impressive. Is this your first solo release in this way?

Jeff Gutteridge: Absolutely. I’ve never done a full solo record before. I did a single back in 2021, but the idea of a solo album has been there for a while. This was the right time to do it before we start working on the next “Looking for Heather” record.

Indie Distributor: Was there anything you would have done differently in the recording process, or did everything come together as you envisioned?

Jeff Gutteridge: I took a “less is more” approach with this album, trying to capture the vibe of a band playing live. There are some scrappy elements I might have cleaned up if it were a “Looking for Heather” album, but I wanted to keep it raw and real.

Indie Distributor: You shot a video for “Sometimes You Know the Truth.” Why that song, and what was the process like?

Jeff Gutteridge: That was the first single. I wanted to show that this is still a rock project. We shot the video in an empty field near my house, aiming for a desolate, desert-like vibe. Jay shot the video; he’s into production work and does all the “Looking for Heather” videos as well.

Indie Distributor: Who was the woman in the skull mask?

Jeff Gutteridge: That’s my kid. We have a history of them being in the videos, so it’s a tradition we carried on.

Indie Distributor: How are you promoting the record, and is your approach different from “Looking for Heather”?

Jeff Gutteridge: Probably the same, though I’m not putting as much effort into it as with “Looking for Heather.” I’m trying to play it live with a band and experimenting with vinyl. Prices are coming down, so I thought it was a good chance to try it. I used Precision Pressing in Toronto for the vinyl, and they were great to work with.

Indie Distributor: The vinyl isn’t standard black, right?

Jeff Gutteridge: No, it’s recycled vinyl, which creates a cool colour pattern. Each one is a little different, which I thought was neat.

Indie Distributor: Through this process, what advice would you have for indie artists looking to take the plunge and do their first project?

Jeff Gutteridge: Have a plan. Know your end goal and plan out your timeline. I sort of went through this blindly, but more planning would help—like a 30-day, 90-day, 6-month, and 12-month plan.

Indie Distributor: It’s consoling to hear that some decisions were made after the fact and that you didn’t have everything mapped out. Who did you use for distribution?

Jeff Gutteridge: I’ve always used CD Baby. They’ve been great to work with.

Indie Distributor: Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s a great record, and more people should hear it. Any upcoming shows you want to mention?

Jeff Gutteridge: The next show is in Peterborough at Erban on June 27th, 2024 with Nate Silva. We also have some shows planned for the fall, and I might do some solo acoustic shows in July and August.

Indie Distributor: Keep us posted on the dates. Thanks for your time, Jeff!

Jeff Gutteridge: Absolutely, man. I appreciate it. We’ll talk soon. Cheers.

Dressed to the nines and delivering a sound that’s just as sharp, Toronto’s The Lookout Service has quickly carved out a space for themselves in Toronto’s rock scene. 

Stergios Kalochoridis and Robert Ragazzo—the dynamic duo behind the music—have been making waves since 2018 with their electrifying performances and a sound that’s both titanic and intensely personal. 

With Stergios on vocals and guitar, and Robert bringing the thunder on drums, they’ve become known for their ability to captivate audiences, weaving powerful lyrics with soaring riffs into a musical experience that demands attention.

Their recently released album “The Gambit” features a wide spectrum of their writing ability, and displays their sheer, raw talent that translates through the studio as thoroughly as their live performances. 

Recently, The Indie Distributor had the chance to sit down with Stergios to dive deeper into their latest record and what the journey to its creation has been like.

As a band, had you worked with other musicians or has it always been the two of you? Also, how long have you been creating together?

Stergios Kalochoridis: The Lookout Service was formed in 2018, while I was attending the University of Toronto studying International Relations. Needless to say I didn’t pursue my studies and started looking for people to play and write music with. After a couple years and lineup configurations, the band was solidified as a two-piece and we began gigging all around the city wherever we could, and continue to do so today. We got the “Lookout” for our name from a pickup line that old blues and rock and roll musicians used to yell before they would bust out into a ripping solo or rhythm section, and we added “Service” because we wanted to serve that rock power that those musicians pioneered. 

What’s the concept of the Gambit as it relates to your record? How does chess fit into the mix for your story?

SK: Since right around the time we started preparing for this record, Rob and I have enjoyed playing chess to pass the time before gigs. When it came time to start thinking of a name for the record, we thought that “The Gambit” would be a fitting title because it represents a chess move that requires sacrifice in order to get the upper hand and a better position. This record for us in many ways was a huge sacrifice, to try to get us a “better position” in our music scene. We have also stuck to a black and white aesthetic since the inception of the band, so it all seemed very fitting. 

Chess also appears as the theme in the video “Rough Around the Edges”—tell us about shooting that video.

SK: The Rough Around The Edges video concept came to us on the way back from a gig. We were brainstorming ideas for music videos and we already had the chess concept in mind. We thought it would be interesting to play a chess game where the pieces were not inanimate, and played by people. It would allow us to depict the emotions of the pieces, about the decisions made by the two kings – played by Rob and myself. We tried to recreate “The Immortal Game” – one of the most famous recorded chess games ever played (played in 1851) and it can also be found on the chess board on the cover of the album!

Did you end up working with Luc Chiasson for your singles as well as the full album?

SK: We recorded the entire album with Luc Chiasson back in January of 2023! Just goes to show how long we were prepping for the release!

Was this your first time working with a producer for your music? 

SK: We’ve actually always worked with a producer to record our music. Rob and I both never really got into recording our own music. Working with Luc is always exciting and new, and we like to try new things to keep the creative process as open as possible. 

What are some of your favourite stories from the recording process?

SK: In the month that it took to record the album, we had a lot of fun in the studio. We got to rent out the entire studio for the month and could come and go as we pleased, stopping and picking up whenever we wanted to. We laid down all the drums first, then guitars and finally vocals. We had a bit of a hiccup towards the end of recording the album when Luc’s interface just completely died, and he had to go and completely rewire a new one in. We managed to get it done though! 

Was there a piece of equipment, old or new, that became the MVP during the recording process? How did it influence the sound of the album?

SK: My main 2017 Tele is featured on pretty much every song. Like most guitarists, everyone has their number 1, and for me that guitar just sounds the best. I love Big Muffs for fuzz tones and an OCD (Fulltone) for dirty overdrive, but the one pedal that opened up some cool new avenues for me to explore on this record was the Danelectro Backtalk pedal – a reverse delay. I used it on the bridge of Daffazank and I Am The Dragon to add a dystopian vibe that I just couldn’t get from regular delay pedals. 

So far, you have released a series of singles, and this time you went full album. What was the thought process behind that decision?

SK: Looking back I think we wanted to release an album so we could finally have a big body of work out publically for people to go and listen to. We chose to do four singles over four months – to create hype around the album before its release. I would’ve maybe even spread the singles out a bit further in hindsight, but that’s something maybe worth looking into for the next body of work. 

How are you monetizing the record?

SK: Selling vinyls!! Old school baby!

What advice do you have for other indie musicians out there who are in the recording process?

SK: Get yourself a good producer, it’s better than trying to record yourself and not getting your ideas across. It’s scary creatively and financially, but it’s totally worth it. Whatever you do, just make sure that you are consistently giving it your best.

Info about the Gambit album, tour and tickets can be found on their website http://thelookoutservice.com/