Dick Jones
A little Q&A with singer-songwriter, Dick Jones.
Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself, and your band.
Dick: Who is Dick Jones? Well, there are many words that describe him best. First off, Dick is also an out-spoken, part-time Social and Political activist. After that, he's also been described as confused, isolated, reclusive, crazy, lost, but most of all fun and always the life of a party. Despite his love of the stage, Dick remains distant from the media and relies heavily on his band mates to cover in his often absence.
So then, who is his Band? The Dick Jones Band, is a re-connection of two family friends twenty years in the making. Dana Barnaby, known from his days travelling Canada in a 7 piece Ska band, left music entirely for ten years. Ty Lowe, graduated with a masters degree in music performance from the legendary Jazz school, Indiana University. Shortly after her graduation, a car accident took the use of her right hand and was thus sidelined from music for thirteen years. Through miracles and enlightenment, Dana and Ty reunited and found themselves once again excited to express themselves through music. This self-titled first album, under Dick's direction, is basically a musical release of many frustrating years away from their passion. Though this is their first album together, it sounds as if they have been doing this their whole lives. Sit back and enjoy a unique journey through the genres of our years.
LB: How did you start out making music?
Dick: Dick developed his unique sound and signature on-stage moves through many relentless years of air guitar jam sessions, while working in a classic record store throughout his late teens and early twenties. Growing up under the guise of his legendary rock and roll star parents, he learned to imitate everyone from Elvis (both Presley and Costello) to Steven Tyler and Gordon Lightfoot.
LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now?
Dick: Musical Influences vary from Jazz classics like Ella, Chet, Barbara and Wynton, to Rock Gods like Jimi, GNR and Queen. Dick also has to pay homage to modern bands high on his list like Muse and Dave Mathews. Lastly, a big shout out to U2, whom Dick spent three days with and changed the world as he knows it!
LB: Tell us about your latest release.
Dick: The Dick Jones Band's self-titled debut, is a genre jumping mixture of pop, reggae, ska and rock inspired anthems. Critics have described the sound as "John Lennon meets Queen". Featuring a twenty-piece choir, string quartet, horns and some serious rock guitar, TDJB will take you on a musical ride each and every night.
LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows?
Dick: The air guitar sessions started to wear thin, so Dick formed a full band. Now, The Dick Jones Band, when on tour, performs a high energy, variety style show, sometimes featuring up to twelve musicians on stage.
LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy?
Dick: It's amazing to see a song develop from a small riff on an acoustic guitar into a finely orchestrated piece of music featuring dozens of super talented musicians, then sitting back and listening to what you've created. There's nothing better than that!
LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music?
Dick: Search and yee shall find:
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/the-dick-jones-band/id392668646
CDBaby: www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheDickJonesBand
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/thedickjonesband
Here's also a link to our website: www.thedickjonesband.com
And here’s our MySpace: www.myspace.com/thedickjonesband
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