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INTERVIEW :: with Dangermuffin (SC) – new album “Heritage” out March 31st + live videos
by Marina Yelensky…
As I learned more about Dangermuffin, this statement on their website stood out in my mind, “How can we be whole? It’s a question asked — in one way or another — by anyone who allows him or herself to dig deeper into their own existence than the simple day-to-day drudgery that seems to fuel our society.” Dangermuffin’s sixth album, “Heritage”, is an eight track album that embodies the smooth sounds that “energize a backyard campfire or an early morning jog, just as Dangermuffin always has over their eight-year career.”
Dangermuffin expresses a focus on archetypes of the sea, the sun and the Phoenix. It seems that Dan Lotti is a man you can take away from the beach, but you can’t take the ocean from the man. “In 2014, the newlywed Lotti migrated north to the mountains of western North Carolina. His focus on personal and spiritual growth shows itself prominently on “Heritage”. Guitarist Mike Sivilli and percussionist Steven Sandifer — who remain on Folly Beach and in Charleston, S.C., respectively — also subscribe to holistic, plant-based lifestyles (not always an easy feat for a group of men on tour, burning up the miles between interstate exits).” As you can understand by now that Dangermuffin is a vegan rock band with a jam band feel where respect for the Earth and it’s healing powers outweigh the distractions of modern existence. The album “Heritage” was recorded in 432 and 444 Hz, “the former of which was the frequency preferred by Vivaldi and chosen by violin maker Stradivarius for his renowned violins. Today, the gold standard for musicians is 440 Hz, but Lotti questions whether we sacrifice much of music’s potential by holding rigidly to that framework.”
Dangermuffin recorded “Heritage” at Charleston, S.C.’s Truphonic Studios and features Keller Williams on bass and backing vocals. I had the opportunity to speak with Dan Lotti about the new album and the band’s current tour.
B: Dangermuffin, the name is ironic. What’s the meaning behind it?
“Started as a catchy T-shirt design with the painting of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The idea of the forbidden fruit.”
B: I did a little research and was inspired by the band’s spirituality! How does that affect your music being a Vegan band and staying “Zen”?
“The Pacification process plays a big role! Through this the Spiritual expectations become definitive. And through the deconstructive spiritual process.”
B: How did the band meet?
Dan Lotti (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar)?Mike Sivilli (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals)?Steven Sandifer (percussion, drums, upright bass, vocals)
“We have been together since 2007. Mike and I [Dan] met in NYC in 2005 as college students. I moved to NYC to do music, and it was tough. I [Dan] moved to Charleston. I met Steve in Charleston as Steve is a Charleston native. Steve became our drummer and now he has switched to upright Bass instead. Jim Dorelly was our first drummer. We have been touring since 2010.”
B: When I listen to your music and think about staying Zen, I wonder how you all do that?
“Make the purification process an expectation. This becomes a definitive deconstructive spiritual process. [Dan] I haven’t drank any alcohol in 4 years. I avoid the things that numb me.”
B: The tour is hitting so many places in such a short time. How do you do it?
“We meet so many great people as we travel; connectivity with people and spirituality helps people heal. This makes it an amazing experience. We focus. I, (Dan) met my wife, an herbalist, at a pizza place in Ashville, NC.!”
B: I really enjoyed the song “Sea and the Rose.” Tell me about the name and the song.
“This the most recent song that we wrote. We did a show in northern California in the Applegate valley. I (Dan) was in northern California with my wife Anna Claire, and we rented a cabin. No TV, no internet. All we had was a classic guitar hanging on the wall. It just all poured out of the guitar. There is so much division in our culture. We focus a lot on archetypes, the symbols and their meanings. The symbolism in the rose came from Anna Claire. My wife , Anna Claire, put rosemary between her hands and rubbed it together. She called me over to smell the rosemary. Anna Claire said, “Smell this. It smells like the ocean. Rosemary is the rose of the ocean.”
B: Heritage, why the album name?
“Heritage is an album that emphasizes the importance of connectivity with one’s roots. Nature is the bigger picture. [Dan] My grandfather was from a small town in Finland. As we held auditions, Marcus came in. We chatted, and I found out that he was also from Finland. We just connected.”
B: Strawberry Festival is the last stop on the current part of the tour. Are you guys excited to perform here?
“ California is beautiful. The festival is held Oxnard, CA. This is a huge festival that kicks off the summer festivals. We are excited to participate this year. We have many friends in California and the response that we have had is nothing but a great response and good energy from the people here.
B: With the Jam band feel behind some of your music, do guys think you will add members?
“Marcus Helander is our new drummer. Steven is moving from drumming to upright bass. We are conservative about adding band members because of the financial aspect. We would love to have many members in the future.”
Dangermuffin is coming to Atlanta. When you ask?!
Calendar Info:
Who: Dangermuffin + The Dead 27’s
When: Thursday, March 30th, 2017
Where: Smith’s Olde Bar – 1578 Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta , GA 30307
Doors: 7:00pm
Tickets: http://www.smithsoldebar.com/events/dangermuffin-dead-27s#.WKtQBxIrIdU
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dangermuffinmusic/
https://twitter.com/dangermuffin
https://www.facebook.com/dangermuffin
