Artist Interview : Gary Dranow’s ‘Self Sacrifice’
Gary Dranow has claimed an enormous expanse of rock as his own. And now he’s feeding one into another to create an electrifying network. We all know him as a modern pioneer in blues rock, dipping into pools of punk, hard rock, grunge, prog rock, and everything in between.
Congratulations on the release of Self-Sacrifice. It is a very powerful track. What influenced the creation of this track and the decision to shape it into the prog-rock anthem that it is? And what do you want your listeners to take away from it?
And what do you want your listeners to take away from it? Well, thank you! I'm glad you liked "Self-Sacrifice." It means a lot to me. So, what influenced the creation of this track? Well, life, really. I was going through a tough time, and I wanted to express that struggle through music. As for making it a prog-rock anthem, I've always been drawn to that genre's ability to tell stories and take listeners on a journey. I wanted "Self-Sacrifice" to have that epic feel, you know? As for what I want listeners to take away from it, I hope they can relate to the themes of sacrifice and perseverance. Life throws challenges at us, but it's how we face them that defines us. I want people to feel empowered and inspired after listening to the song. And maybe, just maybe, it'll help them through their own tough times.
With the Destiny Road Album, the Gary Dranow banner was primarily associated with blues and experimental rock compositions. However, with your releases like this single, Chaos, Ripping, and Bedroom Mentor, a change in style, sound, and energy is evident. What about prog rock, grunge, metal, hard rock, etc. inspired this shift?
Well, you see, making music is like painting a picture. Sometimes you start with one color, but as you go along, you feel like adding different shades to make it more interesting. That's kind of what happened with my music. I've always loved blues and experimental rock, but I also started feeling inspired by other genres like prog rock, grunge, metal, and hard rock. These styles have their own unique energy and sound that I found intriguing. So, I decided to mix things up a bit and incorporate elements from these genres into my music. It's like adding new colors to my musical palette, and it's been a really exciting journey exploring these different sounds and styles.
In his track, ‘Self Sacrifice’ he drives the desperate facets of the theme sensationally. It has the emo fashionings of Linkin Park, the cerebral grunge of Nirvana, and the edgy nu-metal of Karnivool. And the result is a devouring musical production that raids your entire body.
The track has deep bass grooves and charismatic riff breaks. Launching off of this anchoring base is Gary’s versatile vocal spread. It is truly amazing how his voice both endures and carries the emotion. A spectacular sphere within the grand resonance of the track. Listen Now!
Your music has for the most part, revolved around deviance. Be it stylistic, genre wise, thematic, compositional, or presentational. Can you tell us about this sphere that your artistry dwells in and is perhaps inspired by?
Well, my music is all about breaking the rules and doing things differently. Whether it's the style, the type of music, the themes I explore, how I put songs together, or even how I
perform them on stage, it's all about being different and pushing boundaries. I'm inspired by the idea of not following the crowd and creating something unique that people haven't heard before. So, you could say my artistry dwells in this space of deviance, where I'm constantly trying to challenge norms and expectations in music.
Oftentimes, there’s a cyclical effect in sonic craft, where the song forms before the idea does, and vice versa. What comes first in your sonic building process? The idea or the song?
Well, for me, it's like asking whether the chicken or the egg comes first! Sometimes I get a spark of an idea, like a cool melody or a catchy lyric, and then I build the song around that. Other times, I start playing around with different sounds and rhythms, and eventually, a clear idea for a song starts to take shape. So, I guess it really depends on the day and where my creativity leads me. But either way, whether it's the idea or the song, they both play a big role in my sonic craft.
Your double album, ‘Never Give Up, Golden Child’ carries all promises of a masterpiece. Each single leading up to it speaks to its diversity, detail, and depth. Please speak to their provenance, process, and the expectation that you set for yourself when you began writing and recording them.
Sure thing! When I started working on 'Never Give Up, Golden Child,' I wanted to create something special, something that really spoke to people. Each song on the album has its own story and meaning, and I poured a lot of myself into the writing and recording process. I drew inspiration from all sorts of places, from personal experiences to stories I've heard from others. I wanted the album to be diverse, with different styles and emotions represented in each track. That's why you'll hear a mix of sounds and themes throughout.
The process of making the album was both challenging and rewarding.
I spent countless hours in the studio, fine-tuning each song until it felt just right. I wanted every detail to be
perfect, from the lyrics to the instrumentation. As for expectations, I set the bar high for myself. I wanted this album to be the best work I've ever done, something that I could be proud of for years to come. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to give it my all. In the end, I'm really proud of how 'Never Give Up, Golden Child' turned out. I hope that
listeners can hear the passion and dedication that went into making it, and that it resonates with them in some way.
How has this double album changed you and the band as artists?
Well, this double album has been a game-changer for both me and the band as artists. It's like opening a door to a whole new world of creativity. We poured our hearts and souls into it, exploring different styles and pushing our boundaries. Personally, it's made me dig deeper into my own abilities and discover new ways to express myself through music. As a band, it's strengthened our bond and made us more confident in our artistic vision. Overall, it's been a transformative journey that's elevated us to new heights as musicians.
Given the range and the variety in your music, who would you say sparked your interest in: music, style, vision, ideology (sonic), design, etc.
When it comes to what got me into music and shaped my style and vision, it's like a mixtape of influences. There wasn't just one person or thing that sparked it all. It's like a recipe with lots of different ingredients. First off, there's my family. My parents always had music playing around the house, from classic rock to jazz to pop. So, that definitely planted the seed. Then there were my friends. We'd swap CDs and talk about different bands and genres, expanding my musical horizons.
But if I had to pinpoint some major sparks, I'd say it was probably a combination of artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Prince. Their passion, creativity, and fearlessness really inspired me to find my own voice. As for style and design, well, that's a mix of everything around me – from the art I saw in galleries to the fashion on the streets. I'm a sponge for inspiration, soaking up bits and pieces from everywhere. And when it comes to ideology, it's about staying true to myself and speaking from the heart. Music has this incredible power to connect people, and I want to use it to spread positivity and make a difference however I can.
What are some of the themes and structures, musical or thematic, that you find yourself returning to each time you sit down to write and why?
Well, when I start writing music, there are a few things I always seem to come back to. One theme is about love and relationships. I think it's because these are things we all experience and can relate to. Another theme is about self-discovery and growth. I find it fascinating to explore how we change and learn about ourselves over time. As for structures, I tend to lean towards simple melodies and catchy rhythms. I want my music to be easy to listen to and remember. Overall, these themes and structures help me express myself and connect with my listeners in a meaningful way.
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You can listen to ‘Self Sacrifice’ by Gary Dranow here -
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