Tell us about yourself and your music
I’m Reese Chown from Detroit, MI, USA. I’m currently 17 and handle all of the recording duties in the band Danger Feet Away, however my main role is lead guitarist and vocalist. I’m the only primary member and I’m still searching for band members to go live with and eventually bring into the fold for future recordings. The search has been tough because either people can’t play my compositions, or they’re not into the same music as me, which is strange because most of my favorites are mainstream successes.
My on stage and off stage personalities are pretty much the same. I tend to live a weird, hedonistic lifestyle and I’m seemingly addicted to the controversy that comes with it. I want to bring honesty and danger (no pun intended) back into rock music and bridge the border between the metal and indie rock crowd.
Talk to us more about your latest release
My debut album Velvetizer is coming down the pipe soon, but not without a few singles first. I’ll put up release dates on all of my social media when the time comes. I’m also looking to distribute it through a local independent label who I’ve been in contact with and will likely sign onto. It’s going to be available on all streaming platforms along with CDs and a limited purple vinyl pressing.
As of right now, I have a bunch of instrumental demos on Soundcloud for people to get a taste of.
What inspired you to write this release?
My main goal was to record a DIY bedroom album with the dynamics, heavy distortion and songwriting of an arena rock band. My biggest inspiration was my favorite album in the whole-wide-world, Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins. The raw but extremely overproduced sound of that record speaks volumes to me and my OCD as a recording artist. All the layered guitar tracks, weird sampling and delays going from left ear to right ear when you least expect it, the blatant Shoegaze influence, etc. I took all that and put a signature Post-Hardcore spin on it.
In terms of songwriting and the lyrics, each song is a life experience. Whether it was the best night of my life in the city, or laying in my bed and wishing I hadn’t woken up, it’s autobiographical. There’s no fakery, it’s real, raw and honest writings of someone who is unfortunately very troubled and a far cry from the generic emo writings you see in the mainstream scene. The formation of my lyrics were inspired by Richey Edwards from the Manic Street Preachers who used deep poetic influence to craft beautiful songs of mentally deranged and sociopolitical nature. I miss him.
Describe the writing and recording process
Writing lyrics for me was the easy part. I mostly wrote the lyrics for the record in the late hours of the night in my bedroom. When the rest of the world sleeps, and I’m awake with the loudest thoughts, reflection and regret. I wrote songs about mental health struggles, foreign wars, breaking up with a girl I loved and even the pressure of finishing recording on one song.
The recording process was, and continues to be impossible. I recorded on a Mac computer with Pro Tools and multiple analogue consoles and devices running into the computer. It’s hard to maintain and it’s also expensive as fuck. It’s taken me nearly two years to record this. I used mostly a 2015 Fender Stratocaster and a bunch of assorted Marshall and Mesa Boogie heads in which I constantly swapped out the tubes in an attempt to get a “different sound”. It seems every time a problem is fixed with software or guitar intonation for example, a new problem appears. I’ve spent at least $3,000 trying to make this sound the way I wanted it to and financing new tools for the trade because I’m such a crazy perfectionist in the studio with layering guitars and sampling. On one occasion, my Pro Tools crashed and failed to save my whole project and I tried to drink myself to death with Corona. Just little bursts of insanity like that is what I was dealing with. I’m under pressure by myself and the people who want to distribute this and actually HEAR IT. Luckily, there’s little left to record and I’m off to the mixing stage. Evren Göknar from Capitol Records is going to master this to tape in the end.
Ultimately, I’m a 17 year old who is recording this entirely by himself. I’m trying to make an album people don’t have the heart and energy to record anymore.
Any plans to hit the road?
This spring and summer for sure. I may have to go live as a solo artist with backing track accompaniment. I’m going to be playing in clubs and bars around Michigan and hopefully the album does well and I can eventually expand my horizons.
Keep your eyes peeled on Facebook and I’ll let everyone know when the time comes.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
Well, I’ve basically given the middle finger to the local Detroit scene entirely and all of the Ken and Barbie doll-esque subcultures that come with it. I don’t want a rock revolution or a new scene, I just want to be my own man. I don’t brand myself, I just live honestly and pay no mind to anything. I blend a bunch of subgenres to make the music I do. I combine Post-Hardcore, Shoegaze and even orchestral instruments on some songs. It’s Alternative Rock though. It’s been done, it’ll be done again after I’m gone; but the thing people don’t get is that you have to steal from every band you love rather than your number one favorite. We have a weird trend in Detroit where “2nd wave” Thrash bands my age try to be Metallica so bad. I mean, I’m embarrassed for them. Every band I know here is a blatant rip-off.
I try to be unique as a person too. Mostly by being a big mouth asshole and not caring about what public figure I offend. I’m actually a cool guy though. Dave Grohl is already the sweetest man in rock though, I’m trying to be different.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Lots of unfortunately unknown Shoegaze groups like Fleeting Joys, Whirr and Cruyff In The Bedroom. I’m not a cool hipster though, they were recommended to me on Spotify.
I’ve also become an American superfan of the Welsh rock group Manic Street Preachers. I’m obsessed with their style and grace. It’s the only glam rock I can say I enjoy.
Who are your biggest influences?
Billy Corgan, Richey Edwards, Sylvia Plath and Anthony Bourdain. Imagine what that dinner party would be like.
The bands I love right now are Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo, My Bloody Valentine, RIDE and recently, black midi.
Tell us about your passions
Mostly playing music and listening to it. If I couldn’t play instruments, I’d be a totally useless homunculus.
I’m very knowledgeable about building and repairing guitars. I love collecting them and analyzing their features. I’m also head chairman of the Please Fender, Build Something In Left Handed For Once Organization.
Dogs too. I’m passionate about dogs.
What else is happening next in your world?
Once my album is released, who knows. That’s the fun in this life though, not knowing what’s ahead.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Danger Feet Away
Connect with Danger Feet Away
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dfadetroitSoundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/dangerfeetawayReverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/dangerfeetaway
