Makes My Blood Dance cannot seem to sit still. Single after single, live show after killer live show, they’ve made a name splicing and mutating the genes of metal with disco, glam, and electropop.
Interview with Evan Russell Saffer – Frontman – Makes My Blood Dance
Provide Background of your music career that not many know about:
I started my music career in musical theatre, I didn’t start rockin out until I went to Europe and joined a French band overseas for a year. John’s (lead guitar/programming) background and passion is mostly in technical metal and together, we have found the sound that has defined Makes My Blood Dance.
What has given you thick skin throughout your career?
When life gets rough there are 2 things that have helped me get through and that’s my network of true friends & family and my higher power & spiritual practice. Neither of those would be accessible to me without sobriety because I would be someone else and not able to access those blessings. Now I am grateful for them and stronger for it. There’s a lot of hate out there, which comes from fear and insecurity. There’s also a lot of love and support and that’s where I choose to focus my time and energy.
How do you level with yourself when something doesn’t feel right in your music making?
John and I have a lot of communication and we trust our gut. We are very frequently on the same page so someone brings up a concern and it’s either reinforced or laid to rest. Either way it’s great comfort to have a working relationship that is fluid with mutual respect. We have some new demo’s that we’ve been working on for about a year behind the scenes. We complete the songs to a certain level and then step away, give ourselves some space and then we can go back and listen. and make improvements. We are also gearing up to work with a producer again since the first EP Disco Metal. That’s a big difference artistically because you’re inviting someone else into that process. We’re excited about it though and that is being planned for 2023 after some touring.
There is a lot of celebration surrounding your music, how are you celebrating all the success?
The celebration is in the doing, we love networking with other bands, creating and sculpting our vision of Makes My Blood Dance. The biggest focus lately has been around the Lightning and Thunder tour. MMBD went out with Edge of Destiny (TX) and linked up with a slew of local and regional bands along the way. BTW we are developing a digital radio show to feature all the bands appearing on this tour with Rock Rage Radio. Look out for more about that and how to listen. The Lightning and Thunder Tour runs Aug 17 starting in Austin, TX and ends up in the Northeast US, final date is Sept 3. We are already in talks with our team about extending the tour another 15 shows or so, great response to the new video Together Apart (check out www.youtube.com/makesmyblooddance to view Together Apart) and the tour package is turning some heads. Let’s keep the train rollin’. Goto www.makesmyblooddance.com for tickets.
What is the next big challenge for yourself in this industry?
The same as it has always been, which is the level of energy (which includes money) that you are willing to give your craft. How far are you willing to go? For us it’s pretty much a daily discussion but that discussion and attention to it, keeps it alive. We’re planning another photo shoot soon and have also coordinated virtual hangouts with all the support bands in each city of the tour. Getting to know everyone ahead of time and sharing best practices has been the focus and it’s been a lot of fun. All ships rise with the tide, we believe in being the tide and the network that we continue to reinforce is a major part of our secret sauce. We teach everyone what we know, who we know and how we do it, we learn from others on a daily basis. We share techniques, music, stories and stages…….livin’ the dream.
Your journey is special, how would you define it in your own words?
This question is a bit far out but I’ll play nice: “spin you around, we’re going places now, no coming down, we’re in this world apart, my morning star, you’ve got me turned around, you’ve got the moves and now you’ve got my heart.”
Those are song lyrics from an upcoming MMBD release which I think sums up our angle on the “journey”. I’m kind of obsessed with “motion creates emotion”, so there is movement, dance and theatrics tied to almost everything we put out. The live experience will be a barn burner for sure, so grab an extra ticket and bring a friend! www.makesmyblooddance.com (tickets here)
Trying day in and day out to make sure your music is magic, how do you keep the magic within yourself to keep creating?
Stay healthy, don’t drink and drug, exercise and connect with people. Those things keep my vitality strong. Too much down time and thinking you will be overcome by the mind. Lately I’ve been splitting wood in my yard with this 40lb maul which is keeping me fit 3x per day. I also did a whole day of ice hockey with my team for a wounded warrior benefit to help wounded soldiers and their families. We played 4 games in one day and started at 7 am. I was toast for a while after that, but it was a good hurt.
You are spectacular, truly. Give the fans everything they need to make sure they don’t miss out on any of your music!
That’s lovely to say such nice things, thank you for the love and good vibes. Right back at you. See you on the road and check out www.makesmyblooddance.com and subscribe to our networks so you don’t miss a thing!
Photo Credit: Chris Tyler
Makeup: Becca Paulette Artistry
Photo Taken at WreckD Productions
For Press Inquiries: bsquaredmgmt@gmail.com
End of Interview