DJ Interviews: Blyss V

 Heres my interview with Blyss V

How'd you get started in music?

Well that's a funny thing. Will and I met in 1989 through a mutual drummer friend. We played together one day and that was that. It wasn't till months later that we found out that we worked in the same complex all the way across town from where we played. Him at a record store and myself at a movie rental store. It was an amazing coincidence. But at that first, or should I say second meeting we went to my place and wrote a song together. Many incarnations of the band happened over the next few years. But when we had our first show set up, our drummer quit a week before it. We had played with Rachel before only as her in a singing / guitar playing capacity. Well were in need and it got mentioned to us that she also played drums. We invited her down and she learned our set in a week and we played the show. She played wonderfully. From that point on we were truly Blyss. 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

So many between us. I know early on we were turned on by bands like Pixies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Uncle Tupelo, Buffalo Tom, Rush and so many more. We kind of became a amalgam of influences.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Do it for yourself. That way you'll never be disappointed. If you're interested in a band, find other musicians with a similar mindset and make a go at it. Play often and wherever you can. There's nothing like becoming a tight unit and it will show in your music. Remember also that you're never too old. If it's inside you, let it out. 

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

We have such diverse tastes in music. I think early on we were a product of our time. Bands coming out around the same time in the 90's all kind of grew from the same roots. We had our own sound but it still was influenced by that time, if that makes sense. Coming back to it all these years later I think our tastes grew to encompass a much larger swath of music. Each of us grew as musicians even while we were away from it I feel. Now it's not uncommon for us to pull in different genres and feed it into our little grinder that we call songwriting. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We have plans to play a one shot gig in April. It's been a long time since we've played live and it's not as important to us as it used to be. But who knows, we may play that show and fall right back in love with it.

As far as future plans on releases we will have a little somethin, somethin coming out at the beginning of the year. Right now we're enjoying the release of our newest song Simple Things. 

Special thanks to them fpr dpong this interview & I wish them lots of luck in their music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!