(Uncooperative Death members, from left, Tristan Mailman and Dan Cormier.)

Since releasing its self-titled East Coast Music Award-nominated debut early last year, Halifax metal outfit Uncooperative Death has seen plenty of change.

Frontman Paul Sarrazin left the band, taking off to pursue career interests in Alberta. Since then, Zach Long has joined on vocals, and the band picked up Mike Morris to play bass. The lineup is rounded out by guitarists Dan Cormier and Tristan Mailman and drummer Liam McLaughlin.

The band originally formed in 2006. Uncooperative Death recently participated in the ECMA Loud tour with several other hard rock and metal groups.

We’d like to thank Dan Cormier for taking time to answer some questions recently for East Coast Noise:

1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)

Uncooperative Death was just nominated for a 2010 ECMA for Loud Recording of the Year. (The award went to our friends The Motorleague!) We just completed the ECMA Loud Maritime tour, and are now working on a brand new album!

2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?

This band was my first real attempt at writing and going from the garage to the stage. The first big eye opener was that it’s hard to break into the scene when you’re new!

3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?

That would have to be Opeth’s Watershed… that album is like a piece of art.

4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?

I am also an artist and painter. When I’m not working with music you’ll find me painting or drawing out a new design for the band, or going crazy on some canvas.

5. The Internet and social media are allowing artists to get closer to their fans than they ever were in some respects. What are your thoughts on this?

Brilliant! It’s never been easier for independent artists to self-promote and build their fanbase from the comfort of their own home.

6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?

Probably a starving painter or total bohemian …

7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

I discovered Zecharia Sitchin and the 12th planet – Awesome.

8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would you delete?

Grunge.

9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

To be quite honest, I usually just grab water, but it’s nice to chill with a beer at a show on the weekend!

10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:

The east coast music scene … alive and thriving! I’m often told how active the scene is here in Atlantic Canada compared to other provinces.

11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?

I’d like to see Uncooperative Death play a major tour or international festival!

Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Jessica Rhaye

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(Thom Swift. Photo by Mark Hemmings.)

Thom Swift established himself on the east coast music scene as one-third of jazz/blues/roots trio Hot Toddy. The acclaimed Fredericton, N.B.-based group, featuring Swift on guitar/dobro/vocals along with Joel Leblanc (guitar/harmonica/vocals) and Tom Easley (double bass/vocals), won numerous awards over the years and wowed audiences across the country.

In 2007, Swift branched out with his first solo record, Into The Dirt, getting into down and dirty blues and folk. Since then, his solo career has taken off. Toddy released another album in 2008, Trio, but the band is inactive at the moment. Easley is teaching full time and LeBlanc is performing in a variety of jazz projects.

Swift, based out of Halifax now, is back with his sophomore solo effort, Blue Sky Day, released last month, and it’s been garnering rave reviews.

Produced by Charles Austin, the album features 11 original tracks along with a cover of the Carter Family’s No Depression in Heaven. Guests on the album include J.P. Cormier, Matt Andersen, Geoff Arsenault, Brian Bourne and more.

Swift took time out of his schedule this week to answer some questions for us below prior to his slate of east coast tour dates, which you’ll also find below.

1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)

I just released a new album blue sky day on Feb. 16th on Groundswell Music/Warner Music Canada. This year, I performed at the Olympics in Vancouver, Folk Alliance in Memphis, ECMAs in Sydney, Canadian Music Week in Toronto and Ontario dates with JP Cormier. I’m really looking forward to these up-and-coming full-band CD release shows on the east coast. Dates are as follows:

Mar. 19 – Fredericton @ The Playhouse
Mar. 20 – New Glasgow @ Glasgow Square
Mar. 25 – Riverview @ Riverview Arts Centre
Mar. 26 – Saint John @ The Blue Olive
Mar. 27 – Charlottetown @ The MacKenzie Theatre
Mar. 31 – Halifax @ Casino Nova Scotia’s Compass Room

2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?

Got into the music industry early. I did my first gig when I was 12 years old. I made $100. Have been playing guitar since I was three years old. The first major lesson I learned was to be organized and prepared. I follow the five Ps of the music industry: proper/preparation/prevents/poor/performance.

3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?

I’ve been listening to a song off Gordie Sampson’s latest CD called “Davy Jones.” It’s a powerful/well crafted song!! Love it. Also, I love anything by Tom Waits and Neil Young.

4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?

I like hangin’ out in the sun near water with my family! I love a day at the beach!!

5. Are there any east coast musicians you have your eyes and ears on right now? Who stands out in the crowd?

We are blessed on the east coast with wonderful talent in many musical genres. I have traveled all over the world and have found that nowhere is the musical community more strong and vibrant than right here! I am a fan of all artists working hard in their field. They all make me very proud of where I’m from!!

6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?

Wishing I was in the music industry!!

7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently, musically or otherwise?

If our baby is crying always change his diaper!

8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would it be?

Lady Gaga.

9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

Picaroons Bitter; I love their beer! It’s a microbrewery out of New Brunswick.

10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:

The east coast music scene is … rumbling under our feet! There is world class talent here and I’m very proud to say I’m a part of it!  Watch out world!

11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?

Continue performing and branching out in Canada/United States/Europe/Australia, etc.

12. How is the solo career versus working in a band?

I love performing solo. It allows me to be self-sufficient as an artist! It sometimes can be lonely but I love having the responsibility solely resting on my shoulders to get my songs across to the listener! It can be scary as well but I love the challenge!

I also love playing with my (solo) band The El Caminos. When we are on stage together there is approximately 150 years experience playing professionally. That in itself is a serious rush! We all may have our issues in life but while on stage we are most comfortable!! The five of us were meant to play music!!!! It’s a joy! Plain and simple!!!!

Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Uncooperative Death’s Daniel Cormier

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Lynn Daigle has been touring the country for roughly 15 years as a member of Moncton, N.B.’s bluesy jam rockers Chris Colepaugh & The Cosmic Crew, laying down some bluesy, funky bass underneath Colepaugh’s searing guitar licks.

In recent years, Daigle has taken her knowledge of the music industry and created Malkin Music, a company that covers a lot of ground, including “management, label services, cyber pr & marketing and artist identity development (online),” according to the company’s website.

Some of her clients, past and present, include Joel Plaskett, David Myles, Damhnait Doyle, Gordie Sampson, Mary Jane Lamond, Shaye and more.

She also volunteers on various music boards, which you’ll read more about below. It’s music, music, music all the time for Daigle … except when she’s playing Warcraft.

Read on …

1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)

Lots of Colepaugh & Crew stuff! Also working with Sheri Jones and some of her artists through my company Malkin Music, which manages and develops online cyber identities for artists. Some of my clients are CCCC, Joel Plaskett, David Myles, Big Sugar, Grady, Pink Thunder, Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle, Gordie Sampson, and others, as well as local Moncton/New Brunswick artists as well.  I also volunteer on the ECMA Board of Directors and the Videofact/MuchMusic Board of Directors, and I volunteer at Music New Brunswick to help them develop their online media.

2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?

I first started in the music biz at CHMA Radio station as a volunteer DJ.  Then I moved on to music director. It was tough because I didn’t understand any of the music terminology. What’s the difference between a label, a publisher and a distributor? I didn’t know. I had to buy a book to figure it all out.  It was a tough but great read – The Business Of Music. I learned a lot from it.

3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Corb Lund, Blue Oyster Cult, Skynyrd, Steve Earle, The Pretenders and the Pixies.  Hmmmm …. All listed like that it does seem like an odd mix, eh?

4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?

I am a shameless Warcraft fanatic.  Nothing beats a stressful day like murder and mayhem.

5. The Internet and social media are allowing artists to get closer to their fans than they ever were in some respects. What are your thoughts on this?

I think there are amazing opportunities for artists to really connect with their fans.  Artists can become integrated in to the everyday lives of the people who love their music the most. It is an unprecedented season of connectivity.

The downfall is social media overload, being too demanding of your fans and (for an artist ) not being able to effectively maintain and use these sites. It’s a double-edged sword for sure ( get it – sword? Warcraft? I kill me!)

6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?

I can’t see myself doing anything else.  I’m too much of a love-geek for music.  If I weren’t in the industry, I’d be pining away somewhere wishing I was.

7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

I just relearned these ones recently … The truth hurts.  Life is hard.  If you want things to change then you have to make changes. To the winner go the spoils. I, Me, Me, Mine.

8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would you delete?

There are some terrible songs, ideas, etc. out there, but I don’t think I would delete any of them.  Creativity comes not just from the great ideas, but from the controversy over the bad ones too.  Every bad song or trend sparks at least one good idea.

9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

It ‘was’ diet cola but I had to give it up.  It ‘still is’ diet cola – but I can’t drink it … I’d really like a diet cola now.  Curse you Eric Lewis!

10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:

The east coast music scene … is on the verge of something big.  If we can keep pace with the industry, keep innovative, keep inspired and keep making the incredible music we do, then we are going to shine like diamonds. But, it’s not going to come easy.

11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?

I want to go to a bona fide 100 per cent authentic sci-fi convention in Vegas with everyone tricked out in their best costumes. It would be amazing.

Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Thom Swift

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