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1.) We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed theatrical alt-rock duo extraordinaire Observe The 93rd; greetings and salutations, gang! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, could you both say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers?
Dylan: Hi, I’m Dylan and I play drums for Observethe93rd
Derek: Hello, my name’s Derek, and I play guitar and sing in Observe the 93rd.
2.) Major congratulations on the upcoming October 6 release of the mesmerizing music video for your gem of a tune Go Ahead! Derek, what served as the inspiration for this altogether cinematic and haunting video?
Derek: The inspiration behind the song and video is the process of tracing back the roots of my own depression and anxiety. An attempt at understanding struggles in my present by reflecting on my past.
3.) The music video for Go Ahead was filmed by the insanely talented Josh Nesmith. Dylan, what was it like collaborating with Josh on the music video?
Dylan: Josh is awesome, we’ve done a couple of videos with him now and each time has been a great experience. He’s very methodical in his process of filming and makes everything easy. Amazing guy to work with, he’s the best around.
4.) Derek with a major chapter of Observe The 93rd’s last album cycle closing out with the October 6 release of the Go Ahead music video, can you give fans a hint or three as to what’s up next for the band?
Derek: After this music video is released, we’ll be immediately switching gears and entering a new world. Well, maybe less so a new world, and more so a deeper philosophical look at the world we are in. The next album cycle will feel like ‘Halloween All Year’.
5.) Dylan, what does the touring/performing dance card look like for Observe The 93rd in
the coming weeks and months?
Dylan: We have a couple shows coming up at Lovedrafts and XL Live. We’ve been focused on our new album but hope to pick up some more shows here soon and hit the road in the coming year.
6.) Derek, what does the creative process generally look like for Observe The 93rd? Is there rhyme and reason to the creative proceedings, or is it a bit more free-form than all of that?
Derek: It typically involves me writing at home in pursuit of catharsis and then bringing it to the rehearsal space for Dylan and I to collaborate on the feel and sometimes structure of the song.
7.) A question for the both of you: Who inspires you musically?
Dylan: My dad was my first inspiration and passion towards music, he was a drummer as well. I really love watching Cobus on YouTube and Luke Holland. Mike Portnoy, The Rev from Avenged was absolutely amazing and I loved his feel for the drums. Moose from Bullet For My Valentine had a big influence on how I like to play. A dear friend of mine Logan Summey from a band An Early Ending back in the day was a huge one but not many people would recognize that haha
Derek: A few constants that I always feel inspired by are The Beatles, MCR, and SOAD. But more recently I’ve really been feeling inspired by bands like Joy Division, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc.
8.) Dylan, Observe The 93rd hangs their fedora in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania. How do those roots inform the sound of the group?
Dylan: Hmmm interesting question…well there’s a lot of country where we are and we don’t really love country per se so we just create music we like. Hopefully that answers that question haha
9.) Derek, how did Observe The 93rd come together as the tight duo which we hear on Go Ahead? Is there a VH1-Behind the Music origin story you could share with fans?
Derek: Well, Dylan and I started jamming together in high school. Then, we had two friends in the band for a while who have since gone on to different paths, and now it’s back to Dylan and I in terms of the official members. Our buddy Logan Miller has been playing bass with us live lately.
10.) Dylan, at the end of the day what do you hope music aficionados walk away with after listening to – and checking out the amazing music video for – Go Ahead?
Dylan: For me, I hope that they walk away with a sense of wow these guys create awesome art and check out all of our stuff. We have many songs out there in so many different styles it’s awesome to me if one of them speaks to someone and they walk away with a positive feeling or relate and can feel human.
11.) Final – SILLY! – Question (for the both of you): Favorite movie about the music scene – This Is Spinal Tap, Almost Famous, 8 Mile or Walk the Line?!
Derek: Eminem has always been one of my favorites and I absolutely jammed Lose Yourself obsessively on a walkman while skateboarding back in the day haha
Dylan: These go to 11
