Scene+Heard: Meet THE DARKROOM
THE DARKROOM is, from left to right, Dylan Kai, Lee Bennett, Matt Panzarino, and Chris Arnold. (Photo courtesy Erin O\'Kon Photography)
BY SABRINA VELAZQUEZ / Special to the Star-Advertiser
One of the greatest things about writing this blog has been the number of people who reach out to tell me about new artists. That’s just what happened with the band in this week’s post — a group of four musicians who call themselves THE DARKROOM. I actually had two people in one week tell me, “check these guys out,” and rightfully so!
THE DARKROOM is Dylan Kai (lead guitar, vocals), Lee “The General” Bennett (drums, electronic arrangement), Chris Arnold (guitar, keyboards) and Matt Panzarino (bass, vocals). These four friends and self-proclaimed “music nerds” formed a band that is slowly infecting the Kona music scene with their addictive electronic rock-step music — a sound that combines electronic dance, dub step, punk rock, reggae and blues.
Formed in 2009 as a trio that performed more cover songs than originals, THE DARKROOM is now a four-piece playing original music. They have made their way into the hearts of listeners at their live shows and are now in the studio to work on an upcoming EP release called “Disco Death Star.” THE DARKROOM is ready to share their music with listeners beyond their Kona home base.
I know first-hand the beauty of being a part of the Hawaii music scene, which is rich in culture and diversity. However, as a Honolulu-based artist, I didn’t know as much as I wish I did about bands on the Neighbor Islands. Thus, I caught up with the band to talk about what it’s like to make music in Kona and what’s in store for the band in 2012.
Sabrina Velazquez: If I understand right, you are a Kona-based band but most of your band mates are from out-of-state. How did you all come together to form THE DARKROOM?
THE DARKROOM: We all had a common interest in creating a new/different sound. Each of us had played in many other bands of varying genres. After sitting down and talking over a few drinks we found there were several genres on which, we all “clicked.” We really just wanted to come together throw it all in a pot and see what came out. What emerged, even fairly early on was THE DARKROOM.
The name, THE DARKROOM, came out of a name storming session outside of our rehearsal space. We already had a pretty good idea of our sound, and the name seemed to fit that sound.
SV: I’ve checked out a few videos and there are definitely a variety of musical genres and influences. Your sound is big! Describe your music and influences to readers. And where can someone check out your music online?
TD: First off, those videos are very, very old from some of our first shows ever! They are in no way indicative of how our sound has matured and continues to grow.
As far as our sound classification and influences are concerned we all come from various musical and personal backgrounds. Despite having different backgrounds there is a common appreciation and respect of all musical genre between us. It was the commonality that helps drive our sound. The sound is an amalgamation of our personal pasts, our collective present, and our future; blending elements of electronic dance music, rock, punk, reggae, blues, and dub step.
To name every one of our influences would take forever, but some notable artists include: Joy Division, Radiohead, Depeche Mode and Deadmau5.
Check us out on our Facebook page, our Reverbnation page and our Soundcloud page. Look for our first single, “Black Highway,” from our forthcoming EP.
THE DARKROOM performs live in Kona. (Photo courtesy Seishi Saegusa)
SV: Speaking of new single, I saw a post on your Facebook wall that you all were in the studio. When can we expect to hear the new tracks?
TD: We are currently in the studio working on our EP, which will be completed very soon. The first track, “Black Highway,” is available to listen to on our Facebook, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud pages.
SV: I often ask bands to describe their dynamics in terms of songwriting. Do you all come together to write as a team? Or is there one person that sort of guides the song development?
TD: Songwriting for us is a process where typically one of us shares an idea with the rest of the band. These ideas may be quite loose or very specific in their structure, and input is given by all of us. We usually have very similar ideas as to how the song should sound, and intuitively know where to take it.
As far as lyrics for the songs, Dylan has been the driving force, penning all of the lyrics thus far.
SV: I find Honolulu’s music scene to be somewhat divided in terms of style and location. Tell me a bit about the Kona music scene and it’s dynamics.
TD: At a first glance the “music scene” in Kona may appear to be one-dimensional focusing on (Jawaiian) and reggae. In actuality there is a fairly active multi-genre scene developing.
There is a severe lack of proper venues in Kona so cool cross-genre shows are not uncommon often featuring electronic/dubstep artists like Ohm Grown, hip-hop artists like A1, La Dog, and Southern Cumiford, and of course us.
As far as there being another band like us, there is none. There is kind of a void of original rock based music in Kona with only a handful of bands existing.
SV: Having formed in 2009, you are a fairly new band. How has THE DARKROOM developed since then and what has been the best thing to happen to you all since?
TD: When we started playing we were a 3-piece primarily playing cover songs, but imparting our own twist, paying respect to the artists we love while developing our own unique sound. We were already working on some of our original music at this point as well. We then added a fourth member giving the sound the depth that it was missing in the beginning.
Right now, we are just about to launch the next phase of our development, implementing electronic and dub step synth sounds into a live environment. Our common goal is to improve every time we play. We pride ourselves on putting out the highest energy live show possible trying to capture another listener with not only our music but our passion as well.
We are very happy with the direction we have been progressing, and the pace as well. We are honored to be included here in this article. As we move forward we will continue to put out our highest quality performances, and to get in front of as many different audiences as possible throughout Hawaii, and the mainland. As mentioned earlier there is a major shortage of live music venues here in Kona, so finding appropriate places to play is always a concern.
SV: With 2012 just around the corner what’s next for The Darkroom?
TD: Moving ahead to 2012, look for our EP Disco Death Star to be out shortly. Keep your eyes and ears open for THE DARKROOM heading over to Honolulu early next year to put it down. Also in the mix is a collaboration with Organik clothing, out of Honolulu, on our official merchandise. See you in Oahu soon!
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Sabrina Velazquez is a 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Award-nominated singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “music nerd” who was born and raised in Honolulu. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Velazquez posts every Monday on The Pulse.
