In this interview spotlight, I chat with Daisy Vision about the latest music (Terrascope), adapting during a pandemic, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m originally from Massachusetts. Western Mass (not to be confused for the Berkshires). It has a pretty happening scene. Some household names reside there. Namely, some members of Sonic Youth, Wilco, Sebadoh, Giraffes? Giraffes!, etc. Don’t quote me on that though. They may have since relocated. I currently reside in a suburb of Tampa.
My style is pretty diverse. I love everything from Aaliyah to The Zombies, and most if not all of what I hear finds its way into my music. I’m primarily influenced by what I had on heavy rotation as a teen. Particularly so because I was experimenting with a lot of LSD at that time, so my brain was a sponge, soaking up the likes of Portishead, Tortoise, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, etc.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I don’t know that I had much choice. I was 13 when I initially heard Pink Floyd’s Have a Cigar. It was the first time I experienced music — when it first possessed me and made me feel overwhelmed with emotion. The brain has to interface with existence somehow. Be it through basketball, video games, practicing medicine, etc. Playing music was what aligned most with my preexisting thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and perceptions. It was a way for me to express happiness and sadness simultaneously. It’s how I make sense of existence, and my place in it.
More recently though, I had a near death experience in 2019. After 26 years of playing music, but never recording, the brush with death was a game changer. It forced me to confront the fact that I had nothing to show for having played piano since I was kid.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
With my debut EP, Wormholes In The Tunnels Of Time, I set out to record what could be performed by a garage band. I narrowed my scope to that end. I had hopes of finding band members immediately upon release, but some weird global event happened that you probably never heard about.
With Terrascope, I pulled out all the stops. I was curious to explore my capabilities, so I didn’t impose any limitations of any kind. During the writing and recording process, I never had any hopes of it being performed live. I can’t begin to explain how elated I was when the opposite became true. Also, my good friend, Ken Topham, contributed both pitched and unpitched percussion to it, which resulted in a significant enhancement.
Name the biggest challenge you faced during the recording process?
I lost track of how many times I wanted to throw my studio through a window. I went through a period of severe depression and despair during the recording of Terrascope. It was a Faustian bargain. I became possessed with the idea that all would need to be sacrificed in order for Terrascope to be created. Tormented with thoughts that I’d become destitute and homeless, but “hey, at least I recorded an album. So, it was worth it, right?” Then, outside of the mental anguish, there were all the practical problems related to recording. Countless instances of “Fuck. In order to do that I’m going to have to do that, and that’s going to take a lonnnng time.”
What was the last song you listened to?
Thoughts Wasted by Róisín Murphy.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Vinyl has a special something about it. Having the ability to put a 10,000 song playlist on shuffle is not one of them.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
My personal Facebook that I don’t share publicly, lol. I’m late to the Insta scene. And, there’s a lot I don’t like about it. I also represent the entire band via Insta, so I can’t be as personal as I’d prefer. Facebook has all my thoughts pertaining to world affairs. Namely, the immense amount of suffering and what should be done about it.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.
I would love to someday meet Kurt Russell. It would be a dream come true!
Also, stay tuned for future shows, records, a memoir, videos, merch, and a solo project titled Heavy Petals — my experimentation with electronic music.
