Soundnova

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Christopher Dale
Conducted By: Corey Evans

The Reverend Christopher Dale, singer of Rurik took the time to have a chat with Digital Attak(pre-Soundnova) about Rurik, how it is on the mainland, and other chaos.

Working with some big and well respected people on this album, did the album turn out how you envisioned it in the beginning?

When we first started recording, we knew that we wanted to sonically take these songs to a higher level than we had ever achieved. Fortunately, some very talented people offered their input and with their help, we were able to translate our message. The entire process was a great learning experience and though we wish we had more time to tweak and experiment, I think “the order of chaos” is a good representation of how we are developing.

“…The Order Of Chaos” features some rather interesting artwork, how do you find it ties in with the theme of the record?

The cupcake is knowledge and RURIK is the child. People always ask if that is a picture of me when I was young. We tested many children for the cover but a young man by the name of Matthew May proved to be exceptional. When his parents walked into the photo shoot with them, you could tell he was a highly intelligent child. Several hours later (and 6 dozen cupcakes!!), we had the cover shot.

What would you say the theme of the record is, the message it is trying to convey?

I would hope people would perceive the entire album as a journey. Rather than preach MY message, I hope we have documented the path of one person (right, wrong, stupid, etc) and allowed people to either identify with or not relate to him. As with critiques of a song, I enjoy hearing the people’s negative responses as well as the positive ones.

With the album now out, are you planning on going out on the road to support it?

We are hoping to finalize plans for the tour very soon. We had to change a lot of things around when we found out we would be on Warped. But we couldn’t be more stoked!

You’ve managed to put out a pretty solid album, even though a competitive scene out on the West Coast, has Rurik perked the interest of any labels?

The usual suspects have been coming to shows and asking questions but our main goals are to put on the best show possible and get back into the studio. Of course, having a major label dump a million dollars in my lap would be A-OK haha. But we aren’t waiting for that. Our primary focus is to record the music and play it live. HEY! WE ARE A RECORD COMPANY hehehe.

Having a couple dates coming up on the Warped Tour, what are you looking forward to on that?

Personally, I am looking forward to watching all the bands out there. It is just a great feeling to be able to be playing the same event with some fantastic musicians. Kevin Jackson (drummer) has done Ozzfest and he has a million great stories from that tour.

Lyrically, do you write from personal experience or to tell a story?

Usually, I’m telling a story about personal experiences. But I allow myself a little poetic license.

Any past lyricists or poets that you look up to and have influenced your writing?

I’m not sure that he has influenced my writing but I have always been a fan of Shakespeare. I appreciate his detailed descriptions of even the seemingly insignificant things.

Rurik is noticeably a combination of many genre’s and influences, what are some predecessors that have influenced the group musically?

Devo, Manson, Bowie, Korn, Sex Pistols, NIN, Talk Talk. My brother, Mark and I have a list of several influences that we update almost daily!

Hawaii and California seem to be almost two entirely different worlds at time, how long have you been on the mainland?

I left Hawaii to live in New York for a few years. I have been in Hollywood for three years. New York is actually my kind of place but I can’t deny the hospitality the Hollywood scene has shown me.

Most people go to Hawaii to get away, yet you got away from Hawaii, what drove you to come?

That which drives me everywhere…the music. . .

What do you miss in Hawaii that isn’t in California?

THE FOOD! You can’t get great Hawaiian food here in California that easily.

And to wrap it up, while “…The Order Of Chaos” has just came out, what can everyone expect from the group musically in the future. Planning to musically expand into something else or stick to the blend that has worked well for you so far?

As I stated before, RURIK is a journey. I hope we can continue to present fresh ideas and grow as a band. I believe our best songs have not been created. Thanks featuring us, Corey! We will be spreading the word about Digital Attak at WARPED.

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