INTERVIEW: DANAVA
WORDS: MAREK STEVEN

An interview with Dusty Sprinkles from Danava

Danava are four uncompromising musos from Portland, Oregon and their self-titled debut album (on Kemado Records) is a five-song feast of super-heavy synth-rock craziness. They have an element of space rock, late '70s prog, some "Technical Ecstasy" era Black Sabbath riffing and a little of Flash Gordon for good measure. It's retro but also very modern in it's general feel, extremity and outlook. I caught up with main man Dusty Spinkles.

I have to say that I can't stop listening to the album right now. It's really fresh sound. How did it all come together for you guys?
Well, thank you very much. I think it just came about naturally really. From my perspective I really wanted to hear music where everyone involved was going as strong as they could. We just cranked everything up.

Kemado seems like a cool label to be on right now.
I agree and we love working with them. They go above and beyond being a label.

Ok, so how do you go about writing the songs? They're pretty epic.
Well they come rather naturally. I usually just sit around and play guitar or organ until something really pops out and then from then go from there and together we decide what's too much and what needs more.

Partly, I get a sense of an updated space rock vibe from the album. It's a very under appreciated genre, and early Hawkwind is particularly fantastic. Is that something you guys would agree with?
Well it's definitely in there, but it wasn't an angle we were aiming for or anything. It's more of a love for the instruments involved and Danava for me is a reflection of the music that made me love music when I was a child: Loud everything and synthesizers sum it up.

Pronounced "don-uh-vuh" right? Where does the name come from?
Yes, we were named by our beloved former synth player Rosy Cross, the master of band names. Danava, in one word is a demon. It's all too much to explain exactly who and what Danavas were, but for me it simply refers to the lower levels of humanity or the dark side of us all. An using the name, for me, is a personal challenge for me. We're not trying to be evil by using the name.

And I also get a subtle sense of the Flash Gordon 1980 movie in the logo and the start of "Eyes in Disguise". Is that right? Are you into Sci-Fi generally?
You got the nod. That movie kicked my ass when I was young. I was four when that came out and everything about it, well except that script, just floored me! So the cover is a nod to that whole thing because it shaped me in many ways, and I'm not some Sci-Fi buff or anything like that.

And who did that awesome logo for you?
I did that logo actually.

I've heard that live, you guys do some pretty mind bending playing and jams. What can people expect from a live show when you make it to Europe?
Who knows really. All I know is we'll play with every bit of ourselves and sometimes things end up sounding like they're bending over and about to collapse. We love playing live but I don't think we think of ourselves as mind bending.

What kind of people are coming to your shows right now?
Anyone and everyone really. I'm getting better and not discriminating between people and their cliques. We've seen about everybody except politicians and cowboys I guess. That's too bad!

And how was it playing at SXSW Festival this year?
Kind of a nightmare but a fun one. We made it through okay. We were a little nervous because we have way too much gear and being quick about it is a bitch.

Shame. Do you think lighting is an important live element?
Well yes, it can be for sure. Lighting is important for damn near everything, right?

Haha, yeah right, so what are your inspirations?
Well, for me everything is inspiring. If you're looking for bands or something, I wouldn't dare try to sum that up. But music in general is inspiring, whether it's great or complete shit. I'm glad its what I can do.

There are some wicked, fresh sounding retro bands coming (mainly) out of the States right now like you guys, Titan, Saviours, Witch. I first heard of Danava from the original version of your track "By The Mark" which is on Kemado Records scene-defining Invaders compilation. Do you feel any kinship with the other bands around or does falling into a potential scene not appeal (for obvious reasons)?
Oh yes, we feel a kinship with them as people first and foremost, as well as other bands who are nothing like rock whatsoever. We definitely don't feel like we can fit easily into a scene. There's something in us that scene people always have a problem with. We don't give a shit about fitting in - never have and never will.

I think you'd go down a treat over here at festivals like Glastonbury and All Tomorrow's Parties. I guess that's something the band would be into?
Of course it is. We really look forward to coming over. Some of us have never been across the ocean and are dying to do so.

The self-titled debut album is coming out right now in the UK, but when can we expect to hear some new material from Danava?
We are recording our next album in New York starting May 29th. If we finish it in time you'll have another record by October. And don't expect anything from Danava ever. Its a different album, yet its still us.

Apart from that, what's the general plan next?
Get the album out and tour a bit and get to the third one I suppose. I have no idea beyond tour.

"If they're overlords, why do they hide?"
Because people are very sensitive to change. More and more though we are all becoming ready to live in harmony with everything you see and feel. Everything is changing and I couldn't be happier about it. What is it that's hiding down inside of you and how is it affecting you?

Website: myspace.com/danava