Interview Questions:
1. “What’s a common myth about Independent Artists and can you debunk it?”
Tom: That they’re not as good as “professional” bands. It’s a lottery, really. There’s some talentless bands out there, not naming names, that have the financial backing to autotune their bad vocals and use drum loops, etc. but have the means to buy elaborate staging effects and pack arenas. I know some truly incredible musicians that should be adored my millions.
Matt: Tough question right off the bat. That they’re not good enough for a record deal. Some have turned down record deals because it wasn’t what they were looking for. Or they didn’t agree with the terms. I think the biggest myth is needing a record deal to be successful. Now a record deal is only offered once you’ve done most of the groundwork. Record companies don’t really invest in growing talent anymore. It’s all about immediate sales and quarterly projections.
2. “What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter the music industry?”
Matt: Do it for the love of creating and performing music. Otherwise you’ll get frustrated easily and burn out. It’s a lot of hard work requiring a lot of sacrifice for little to no payout. Remember that music is an art form and every person’s response to your music will be different. That’s the beauty of it. As long as you’re happy with your music you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment.
Brian: Yeah, stay true to the music, not the industry.
Tom: Right. It’s a bumpy ride with little to no compensation. It will devour your time and money. Don’t do it to be successful. Do it because you love making music. Hopefully, you will reach your like-minded audience.
3. “Are there any resources or even advice that have really helped you on your journey?”
Matt: Every once in a while I stumble on a book that helps spark some motivation to keep going. ‘The Slight Edge’ by Jeff Olson was one of them. More recently ‘Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear’ by Elizabeth Gilbert. I also follow Bob Lefsetz blog for music industry insight. Being in a fraternity in college I learned the power of networking. Lately I’m really seeing the value of using a promotions company like MDPR to help boost the bands presence.
Tom: There’s been groups of people, management, promoters, DJs, countless magazines, people like you, that have really helped us get the name of whatever band I’m in at the time to get the word out. We’re very grateful!
Brian: For me, personally, there has been nothing.
Micah: I think the best advice I’ve ever received was “if it’s not fun to play, don’t play it.” Great advice for writing, you don’t wanna end up hating something you’ve written.
4. “What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career thus far?”
Brian: Opening for Joe Bonomassa.
Tom: I’m older than the rest of the band and since I started in the eighties, I’ve got to do some amazing things. I’ve been in two national bands on major labels, toured through 14 countries to date, made twenty-nine albums, three released DVDs and played some major Metal festivals in Europe. I think Domidium is well on the way to doing some great things!
Matt: Writing music for Thor that Bjorn of Soilwork was featured on. Knowing he picked that song to put his vocals on is just an amazing feeling. Also, seeing the very positive reviews of our album ‘Beyond’ has me quite thrilled. Opening for Amorphis, Swallow the Sun, Insomnium, and Dark Tranquillity have also been awesome moments.
Micah: I released a few albums with a few bands. That’s about it, don’t feel like I’ve done much other than that.
5. “What do you wish you had known when you started out?”
Matt: What to look out for. Whom to trust. To stand up for your music. How quickly friends may get jealous of even the slightest hint of success. Most importantly, I wish I had known the Domidium guys and formed the band sooner.
Brian: Starting out, I wish I had known more about scales, chords, and modes.
Tom: Never trust that everyone in the industry is on your side to help you and your band. You’re merely blood in the water.
6. “What led you to becoming a singer-songwriter?”
Brian: I don’t know, Man. I just feel I was born to play music.
Micah: I’ve always been creative. I started drawing pictures in grade school and eventually started plunking around on a keyboard. One day in my teens I found a magazine with Adam D. From Killswitch Engage on the cover. Read it and found out that he is a multi-instrumentalist and a producer. I didn’t even realize at the time that a single person could do all those things and I wanted to be just like that.
Tom: I’ve never had the cover band mindset. I’ve always wanted to create my own music with other great musicians. That’s what has kept me going all these years. Within the last decade, I have been working with some of my best friends and incredible musicians on this planet. It’s incredibly rewarding!
Matt: Ever since I held a guitar in my hands I knew that was my voice and how I was going to speak to the world. I started on piano and never had that feeling. Picking up the guitar just does it for me. I’m always writing music with my guitar.
7. “What do you think is your unique skill(s) that has helped you become successful?”
Matt: Being able to jam with my band mates and other musicians. Learning to feed off their energy no while simultaneously learning to stay back and let others shine with their talents. I’m also constantly writing new music and won’t dwell on a song for too long.
Tom: Laser-like focus. I didn’t let anything get in my way. I have yet to meet someone with the same drive who has put in the time that I have and still have steam to do so.
Brian: I can learn by ear and I play more than one instrument.
Micah: I’ve always felt songwriting to be my strength, personally. But I’ve learned to branch out and listen and appreciate all different kinds of music for inspiration, not just metal. So I feel that my contribution to the band helps it feel more unique.
As a vocalist I enjoy applying all different styles and techniques throughout the music to really make parts stand out and hopefully put the listener on a journey.
8. “How was your journey to what you do now?”
Tom: Fantastic! (See my reply on question 4)
Matt: A bit of fun filled with life lessons. I knew deep down what kind of band I was looking for. Once Domidium was created I finally felt I had found the right vibe with the proper musicians.
Brian: Fun! Lots of partying, but no success.
9. “How did this project begin?”
Tom: Three of us, Alan, Matt and myself, were in a couple projects previously and definitely wanted to continue together.
Matt: It was over some beers at a local brewery. The decision was made to start something new. Micah and Brian were asked to join after auditioning and Domidium was born. I still have the hand-written notes from that night.
10. “What makes this project different from “past projects?”
Brian: For me, the skill level of everyone involved is far superior and the creativity seems to have no end.
Tom: There’s no rules on what we can or can’t do with the music. There are really no parameters on what we play. We’re all Metal fans, but there are so many sub-genres that we take full advantage of.
Matt: We didn’t want to feel pigeonholed into a sub-genre. We wanted to open our wings and explore wherever the air stream may lead us. The goal was not to limit our creativity because it doesn’t fit a thrash band, or a prog band, etc…
11. “What’s the inspiration behind this project?”
Matt: The amount of talent in this band allows me to explore deeper in my writing on guitar. With Micah’s vocal range I feel free to explore every element of guitar-playing I really enjoy. To push myself into new song-writing territory is a lot of my inspiration behind Domidium.
Brian: I can only speak for myself and I can only describe it as intangible and indescribable.
Tom: To take advantage of all our collective experience and create the best music we’re capable of.
12. “What word or phrase would you use to describe this project?”
Tom: Ambitious and Metal as f*ck!
Brian: Powerful.
Matt: Cage-free.
13. “How can listeners get in touch with or support you?”
Matt: Like and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. We run our social media sites. If you message us, or comment on any of our posts, someone from the band is reading and replying. Our music’s out on Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer, etc…. If you’re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area come to our gigs. Share our music if it appeals to you. We really appreciate any and all help.
Tom: We’d love to hear from you!
14. “What is coming up for you in the near future?”
Tom: We have some great shows coming up and the album is getting great reviews! We hope to take it on the road at some point. We have international ambitions and we’re well into writing the sophomore album! Onward and upward!
Matt: We’re playing August 31st in Minneapolis, MN at the Underground Music Cafe. We hope to put out a video for ‘Stoutsmasher’ in the near future.
Brian: Most notably we have a big show lined up for next year.
Matt: We can’t spill the beans on that, yet, but we’re excited!
15. “Many people believe that becoming a musical artist is challenging to the point it becomes overwhelming and too much to handle. Why do you think people believe that?”
Matt: I think it comes down to what you’re looking to get out of it. You get out what you put in, but like I said earlier don’t do it for the wrong reasons. Do it because you love it. I’ve always enjoyed a quote from Dave Matthews I heard in a documentary. He said, “If you want to become famous, go be famous. I don’t know how to do that.”
Brian: Because it’s a long hard road and there’s a 1% chance of real success no matter how hard you work. But if you do make it, then there’s pressure to maintain that success.
Tom: I guess it would depend on their end goal. The dedication of time and financial demand is not for everyone. The business aspect has always been the necessary evil.
Micah: There’s a lot to learn and it can seem overwhelming. Some people don’t even know where to begin. And even when you get to the point where you become proficient at your craft, it’s tough presenting it to an audience, be that people listening to something you recorded or playing on a stage in front of people. I had trouble for a long time feeling confident enough to put music out there, it can be scary.
And playing live for the first time can be nerve-wracking, as well. But at some point you gotta say, “Well, I’ve come this far, might as well keep moving forward and just do it.”
It’s like getting into a pool, you wanna be in the pool don’t you? Sometimes it’s best to just jump right in. Soon you’ll find after a short time how nice it is in the water.
16. “What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?”
Brian: It wasn’t meant to be.
Tom: The world is choked with negative energy. Post covid society has caused rampant depression and crushed many dreams and ambitions. Things have to change for the better.
Matt: Most likely they were in it for the wrong reasons. If it’s a real passion you have, chances are you won’t give up. Success isn’t measured by becoming rich or famous off your music. We’d all love that… and it does seem pretty grim when you hear of cover bands and tribute bands making more for playing other people’s music than you’re making for the work you’re putting in. However, learning a song you wrote helped someone through a hard time, or hearing a radio DJ from another country exclaim your band is doing some amazing stuff, or reading a highly complimentary review on your album easily outweighs making a bunch of money.
Micah: One thing I have to remind people who want to play an instrument or play music is that you’re gonna suck for a while. Even the greats didn’t start off amazing at their instrument(s) of choice and that’s okay. There’s not a lot of gratification going in especially if you have certain aspirations.
I’ve had people wanting me to teach them or tell them “the secret” at being a good vocalist or guitarist as if there’s something I know that I keep to myself, haha. I tell them all the same thing, practice, practice, practice and I wouldn’t consider myself an expert on my craft either. Most people walk away disappointed hearing that hard work is how people become skilled musicians.
But even after all of that, it’s expensive with little promise on return on your investments.
I can understand just getting burnt out after a while.
17. “What is your favorite word?”
Brian: Moist.
Micah: Don’t know if I can say it here, but it’s a popular word in Australia!
Matt: I love my wah pedal so… “wah”
Tom: F**kins (noun) definition: The state of being an absolute rude pain in the asshat.
used in a sentence: “That little f**kins tried to kick my puppy!” Hey… you asked! HaHaHa!
18. “What are you not very good at?”
Micah: Directions and geography. I’m so lost all of the time.
Tom: Goddamned upwards stairs! …and cooking.
Matt: Sitting still, or relaxing.
Brian: Trigonometry
19. “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?”
Brian: To be able to fly without wings or machinery.
Tom: I’d love to be able to vanquish senseless hatred and violence between others.
Micah: Teleportation! I know the saying is “it’s about the journey, blah blah…” but, I just wanna get to where I’m going.
Matt: The ability to naturally breathe underwater and in the air.
20. “If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?”
Brian: Tacos
Tom: Yes! A taco! Because everyone loves tacos. However, I’m conflicted because I don’t want to be chewed on nor devoured!
Matt: I love tacos, too. However, breakfast is my favorite meal. Especially eggs benedict. I choose eggs.
Micah: Bacon, I suppose. I can fit in a lot of different settings and am generally well-liked, haha!
21. “If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you choose?”
Micah: Tough one, that. Honestly, I just prefer being me. It’s not great, but all of my accomplishments are my own.
Matt: Kirk Hammett. Just to see if being in the world’s biggest metal band is anything close to how I imagine it.
Brian: If he were still alive, Dimebag.
Tom: That really wouldn’t apply to me. There’s people I admire, sure, but that’s their life, not mine. I’ll stay put…thanks!