Darwin Deez

He is an American indie folk artist from New York City, who not that long ago used to wait tables at a vegan restaurant called Angelica Kitchen. His songs are mostly stripped down, kept simple and unadorned which is his style as he recorded his album in his own apartment using only a PC and a mike. However they also pulse and throb deliciously with life and rare wit. His dance moves are a key part to his live performance and really engage the crowd into the show and the music. This year he has been in the charts with single Radar Detector from his debut album, Darwin Deez.

What do you think of being branded as “the bodypopping Zen guru for a new generation of cool kids”?

Well what does it feel like when someone tells you you’re cool? I guess you’re not supposed to care, right? Because when you start caring you’re not cool anymore.

When did you decide that music was the thing for you?

When I was about 11 I first decided that music was my favorite thing and I got my first guitar and started writing songs right away so I think composition was there from the beginning. As a teenager I made a lot of electronic music so I got into the production and recording side of things.

Do you think the NME Radar tour and Reading and Leeds has been a big help to your growing success?

Yeah well The NME has been really supportive, they are a good magazine to be favoured by. The tours were great and I think they did the job. They played an important part of convincing people that we are something.

Where did you meet your backing band?

I met Cole and Greg at the restaurant I was working in, Angelica kitchen in NYC. Sometimes my friend Michelle plays bass and we met through tap dancing in North Carolina. At the moment my friend Andrew plays bass and we met on the music scene, I played in his band for 2 years, now he’s playing in mine.

Do you prefer New York or London?

New York. I hate trying to navigate London, even Manchester is better. For example, I know where I am going to buy a certain thing I want; it is not trouble to find it. Where as in London all the streets are totally everywhere, it drives me crazy a little bit.

How does the UK compare to other places you’ve played?

The UK has been the most supportive. Germany is equally psyched now they’re informed about Darwin Deez. Australia are also pretty psyched at the moment. It is interesting that the UK like us so much because I never really designed the live show for the British audience I was very much thinking about Americans when I first wrote the lyrics and music. It’s nice to be appreciated and I’m getting a good flavour of what English people are like.

What are the main things that influenced you on your debut album?

The music I was exposed to whilst writing. Two songwriters. Basically they just blew me away with their melodies and lyrics.

Is there anything you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I want them to connect with it on an emotional level. I think people derive the most enjoyment and satisfaction out of the songs that they not only listen to, but know the words and they sing along – I just want to give that to people, you know?

Where did you acquired your dancing skills from, or are they natural?

They’re natural. I think I must have got them from the Black side of my family. I have all the tribal genes.

What are your plans after your UK/Europe tour, and into to 2011?

After the touring I will have finished the album cycle. I want to really try to write some more records.

Have you written anything for your second album yet?

No, but I wish I had.

What do you think the future holds for you? What is your big dream?

Just to carry on making music that people like and respect. I wish I had written Hey Ya – Outcast, not because of the way it is written but because of the people’s reaction to it.