Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Chicago band The Roalde Dahls adding vibrancy to scene, releases new EP


By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Chicago band The Roalde Dahls' music is as unique as its name.

The electro-pop trio will perform Nov. 13 at the Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, to mark the release of its new EP, "MKIII."

Spaces of Disappearance and Dudley Noo also are part of the bill. The show starts at 10:30 p.m. and tickets are $8, available at www.ticketfly.com. 

I had the chance to talk to synth player Nikko Paoulos about the new EP.


Q - Great talking to you. You have a new EP coming out. In sitting down to make the EP, what were your goals and do you think you accomplished them? 

When we sat down to discuss the new project that is now known as “MKIII," we ultimately just wanted to make a better sounding record then our previous attempts. I remember thinking more drama, more dance, but beyond the composition, we wanted it production wise to sound better.

Gravity Studios did a great job in helping us achieve the results we were working towards. I believe this release stands taller then our self recorded releases. 


Q - I understand that people will only be able to buy the physical copy of the EP at the merchandise table at your  shows. Is that your way to thank the fans?

Of course it’s a way to thank our local fans. You can still purchase the EP digitally, but we wanted to make a trip to our merch table a magical experience for everyone.

The physical edition of "MKIII" is just one small part of it, we hope to be offering all types of exclusive content and art made by the band. But more importantly, it should be place where you can transcend the bullshit of fan and musician and just be people. 

Q - Is the band named after the author Roald Dahl? He of course is known for such books as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach." If so, what made you want to name yourself after him? 

There isn’t a person alive who grew up as kid in the '90s that doesn’t know Roald Dahl. When we were trying to figure out what to name ourselves nothing seemed to fit, then Dylan came up with The Roalde Dahls.

It felt nostalgic, it was original, and was also a satirical take on conventional band names - if there is such a thing. To me that was a perfect combination.


Roald Dahl had taught me through his books that there can be humor in the dark and morbid, which is important for children to learn. What better way for us to pay tribute then to name our band after him.  

Q - How did the band form? 

Originally there were five of us. But every band goes through growing pains before finding the right pieces, or in our case, cutting off the right pieces.
I guess we started like every other band. You take a couple of bored friends, a Craigslist ad, mix it together with a basement and some instruments and boom, now you have a band. 

Q - Who are the band's biggest influences?

It's hard to pinpoint what influenced you to write what. With the Internet making everything more  accessible, it's all just become a hot pot of pop culture stimuli.



I find inspiration more so in my favorite authors, comic/manga artists, and especially Nintendo games. It stimulates my imagination more then someone else’s music ever could.  

Q - Do you personally have any favorite tracks on the album? 

To quote the great Dylan Flynn, “A good mother doesn’t pick their favorite child.”

Q - What do you think of the Chicago music scene and how do you think the band fits into it? 

Hmmm, how do we fit into the Chicago scene? Well, I guess the correct answer would be we don’t.

From what I have experienced in Chicago, it's more punk, noise rock and metal bands. You can find rap, jam and other genre shows, but the Chicago scene at it core is very heavy.


Of course, the influx of EDM popularity has created a niche for DJs and other electronic acts, but it really has done nothing for bands like ours who are neither EDM or a jam band.

We have thought of relocating to another city more catered to our style, but we don’t accept defeat that easily. We are determined to carve out a path for our sound on Chicago's mountain.

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