Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
TL: We’re a hardcore/metalcore band that pulls from influences all across life.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
TL: We’re all from around Louisville and played/went to shows and got together wanting to write music similar to bands that we were going to see around the early to mid 2000s.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
TL: Our musical influences range from The Cure to Terror and everything in between. Life, struggles, good times, bad times.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
TL: Pushing Taken Lives as far as it will go. Music, shows, etc.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
TL: We run a Halloween show each year, called Fright Night, that switches off between music and wrestling. Watching that grow and having to move to a bigger venue so far has been one of the coolest things to see.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms
in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
TL: It’s going pretty well. Maybe it’s an old school way of thinking, but nothing beats a live show and we pride ourselves on our shows. That helps to get the word around.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
TL: We use the various social sites and are currently gearing up for a short midwest run with Hollow Valley.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
TL: They’re both sort of a necessary evil. It’s awesome to find a new band and then be able to listen to most or all of their discography instantly, but that also doesn’t provide much financially. Go to shows, buy merch.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
TL: Hmmmmm Maybe Comeback Kid’s Wake The Dead. You can’t not sing along or move in some way. Catchy, heavy, a classic.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
TL: Absolutely. It’d be sick to get rid of those clout chasing “promoters” out there that are really just taking advantage of bands in hopes of gaining financially and a little bit of the spotlight. We need to look out for each other.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
TL: Yes. We’re currently working on our next EP and really pumped on how that’s coming together.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
TL: Our linktr.ee (linktr.ee/takenlives) will take you to all of our links for upcoming shows, music, merch, socials, etc.
Taken Lives links:
Band/Artist location – Louisville, Ky
Facebook – Bandcamp – Merch – Twitter – Instagram –
Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer – LinkTree –
Check our page for Taken Lives
