PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND
YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
We are the rock band Hope Darling from Tampa, Florida. A 5-piece band focused on writing and creating music loaded with emotion, energy, and melody. The band members consist of Gabriel Sanchez lead vocals, Jay Donadio on lead guitar and vocals, Frank Dancey on rhythm guitar and vocals, Richie Gomez on bass guitar and vocals, and Jeff Durso on drums.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
We just released our newest album called ENSO. 9 songs we hand-picked from the past 3 years of songwriting, recording, and arranging. The album is called ENSO – Japanese for “circular form.” There are many meanings that come from the word ENSO but for the purposes of our band and our music, the definition that we pull from for ENSO is "a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create. "
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
As previously mentioned these songs were written all within a 3-year span. We had been performing these songs at our live shows and getting such a great response we knew it was just a matter of time that we had to create an album to give to our fans.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
This album starts with a burst of energy shortly followed by a melodic twist that pulls on the heartstrings and then kicks back into sixth gear. This album will take you on a trip.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
It is hard to sum it up to just one album. that changed our lives, there are quite a few that were quite an impact to each of us. From Motown to rock and roll, many albums changed the path of music and music changed our lives.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
Our Lifeline video was fun to make, it was just a simple performance video but we did it at our warehouse studio that we call “The Dojo”. It was being able to step back and think back of the genesis of the song and the journey it has taken to get to that camera for the music video. It started as a 3 chord progression on an acoustic guitar to this big cinematic sonic production to a music video. Moments like that remind me of the enormous potential Hope Darling has and the impact our music can make.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU’RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
We are all a pretty active bunch. We are either spending time with our families, or out enjoying the Florida weather when it allows us to, like golfing, boating, playing volleyball, or just enjoying the outdoors in general.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
All the time! It’s a constant nervous feeling of how things are going to go. Then after that first beat, that first note, or even after the first song is performed it all goes away.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
It was simply a group of friends that are fans of music that were looking for an outlet or an escape and found it playing music. We formed with the intent to have fun and make that has to start with us loving what we created so that when it comes time to share it with an audience we hope and know they will love it too.
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK
TOGETHER?
Gabriel is the primary lyrical songwriter for the band but it is a combined effort that makes a song. Each one contributes a piece to the puzzle until all the pieces fit. It starts with an idea that we shape inside our rehearsal room. Sometimes the songs come together quickly other times we have to keep chiseling away until we all feel good about it.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Inspiration comes in many forms, it could be a person, a memory, a moment an experience, or even a word. Sometimes inspiration comes unexpectedly or sometimes it's something we didn’t want to be inspired by like the loss of a friend or family, but the feelings pour out, and next thing you know you have molded a song. We are also inspired by the success of others, especially other artists or bands that reach their goals. We are also inspired by the gratitude we get from a listener that takes a moment to tell us how much they connected with one of our songs. It is all these songs that as artists we need to fuel our creativity and our fuel our fire.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The short-term goal is to keep writing music and to get our music to the masses too. Play bigger stages and for bigger audiences. Our long-term goal is to make Hope Darling a household name, play even bigger stages and for even bigger audiences.
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.
www.facebook.com/hopedarlingmusic
www.instagram.com/hopedarlingband
www.twitter.com/hopedarlingband
www.youtube.com/c/HopeDarling