diana rein
Band:
The Mic: What got this band together and started in
this business?
I started my music path in 2003 but have only pursuing it professionally since June of 2007 when I released my first album. I was previously out and about trying to get acting gigs and I got tired of it. Even though music was always a part of my life, it never reared it's head on this level until very recently. I just enjoy the process of making music, writing a song, expressing myself with my voice and now my guitar. I get to create my art, whereas in acting, most of the time I had to wait for someone else to create art before I was able to be a part of it.
The Mic:Who writes and produces all the material for
the band? I write all of the material for my band as I am a solo artist. I play acoustic shows as well as full band shows. The producer for my first album, The Back Room, was a good friend of mine named Ted Wulfers.
The Mic:The band played in front of or with any acts
our readers would
know from the Mainstream? I opened for John Corbett and his band for my cd release party, but since I am pretty much just getting started, I haven't played with anyone else in the Mainstream.
The Mic:Where can people access your music on the web?
www.dianarein.com
www.myspace.com/dianarein
www.youtube.com/dstar781
The Mic:Any embarrassing moments on stage?
I was doing an acoustic show and I played the first whole set with my fly open. Good thing I was wearing cute undies with polka dots!
The Mic:Any good stories you want to tell us? I had a show at a venue recently and long story short, I was supposed to play on the mainstage and open for this lame cover band. The owner of the venue called me the day of to say that he wanted to postpone my act due to weather and I said NO WAY. This was a few hours before the show and there was no way I could inform people in time. We were supposed to go on at 10:30, on the front stage now because the cover band decided to go on at 10:30 on the main stage. We had a sound guy that was so slow, we didn't get to go on until midnight!!!! Most of my people left by that time and most patrons of the bar left because they were getting impatient. Despite all of these challenges, I tried to find the positive in it all and for our last number, I decided to do a "cover" song, Rock N' Roll by Led Zeppelin. Out of nowhere, I got up on the bar of this damn place and sang my heart out and danced Coyote Ugly style. It was my way of saying "F*ck you" to this stupid place for pulling this crap on me and it was also my way of knowing that I won by going through with it and not letting them get to me. You run across a lot of jerks in this business, but it's all about the music to me. This kinda of BS happens all of the time to artists that I know and now to me, but used it to fuel your music and your freedom!
The Mic:Who is the bands musical influence? I absolutely adore Stevie Ray Vaughan and am working on my lead guitar, but otherwise I dig Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Lucinda Williams, anyone who plays great music. No matter what style, if it strikes a chord with me then it's great music and I am inspired.
The Mic:How did the band get together? I started off on my own and met Ted (producer and bass player) at an acoustic gig and we just started collaborating. Then I borrowed his guitar player and drummer for my gigs.
The Mic:What is your musical background like? I grew up listening to Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, a lot of pop stars. I would sing in my bedroom and prance around the room, record myself on my little tape recorded, make up stupid and funny little songs. One was called "Yellow Baby". I started a band in grammar school called Denim Red. We wrote one song. Music was always a part of my life but I always thought that I would be an actress. But I encountered so many challenges with the acting world and now I am encountering so many accomplishments with my music, so I know that I am doing something right and have chosen the right path.
The Mic:Any other members in your family that are
musicians? My dad used to teach music at a conservatory in Romania. But when we got to America, he let the music go and so and started working as a janitor to keep food on our table. He let music fall by the wayside and was never home to teach me music. I pretty much learned by ear and just listening to music constantly. It was my favorite play time.
The Mic:What is the TOP reason why you want to play
music? I love getting better and better at it, I love communicating with my audience and seeing them sing along and understand my songs. I want my music to help and give others a form of escape, or to have my music teach people about themselves, heal.
what's your stance on file swapping? I think it's unfortunate, but it's a big monster that has gotten out of hand and completely changed the way of how artist's can get their music out to the World. I have no problem giving a song or two out for free as an Independent Artist because it will help get my music out there, all over the world. I would hope that if people liked my stuff enough, they would want to support me and buy a cd. There's nothing better than having an artist's cd and being able to read the liner notes and have a piece of history that you can hold in your hand and not sitting on your computer. There are both disadvantages and advantages to file sharing. I would feel like I was a hypocrite if I was completely against it because it's a great avenue to get emerging artists more exposure and to get more butts in seats at shows that are familiar with your music.
what is the process of making a cd?
I recorded my cd in my house with Ted. We recorded through Garageband, converted stuff to ProTools, had it mixed at a studio and then mastered it, sent it to a manufacturing house to duplicate it, but we also did a photo shoot and my fiancé did the cover art and cd art because he is a graphic designer.
how do you get the word out about your music? any way I can. I am all over the Internet. Recently I just put up a bunch of videos on youtube and I am getting a lot of exposure. It's a great little tool.
how is your local responce to your music? It's growing more and more everyday. It's really important to pinpoint the best venues for you to play. If you are an original artist and not a cover band, you probably shouldn't be playing at a sports bar. You should probably look for music venues where you know that people go to hear new stuff.
what is the farthers you have traveled for a gig? 400 miles....not terribly far.
What tune on the cd are you most proud of? that is really tough. I would say the title track "The Back Room". It resonates with a lot of women and it was the first song that I wrote knowing that the title had to be specific. I had to write a song called The Back Room since I knew that is what the album was going to be called. We ended up recording it last and made it a stripped down acoustic version.
Now let's break away from the tradtional band questions you get asked all the time...Let's have some fun...
1. Why do HOT chicks date ugly dudes?
ugly rich dudes? or just ugly? if you sniff around, you might find money in the pockets of these ugly dudes. But these are HOT stupid chicks, if that's the case.
2. Why are all guys in porn movies Douche bags?
because they are the type of guy who would never get laid if it wasn't for porn.
3. When Rappers do interviews on TV, why do they always have a wall of Kung Fu movies behind them?
they secretly want to be human weapons? got me on that one.
4. If a billionaire would come to your band and say you could play with any band..living, dead,broke up,etc.
My Band
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
openers: Bonnie Raitt
closers: Spice Girls! ha! JK!
Closers would be a medley of me, sheryl crow, bonnie raitt, buddy guy, stevie ray vaughan and eric clapton.
*Who do you play with 3 bands one has to be your band...
and
*Who opens and who closes?
Thanks for being with us today and you can catch this lady on
http://www.dianarein.com
http://www.myspace.com/dianarein
http://www.youtube.com/dstar781
PHOTO GALLERY:
http://www.dianarein.com/gallery.html