a day in the life of ...

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Interview: Dustin Bentall (June 2009)

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photo credit: maryanovich.com


This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted via email with a bunch of Vancouver/Victoria bands who will be heading out to Toronto in mid June for the NXNE Festival (North By North East Festival). They were selected to play at NXNE by applying via their Sonicbids account. And yes, he is the son of Barney Bentall, should that last name ring a bell.



Please identify yourself for those reading, what you do in the band, and who else plays in the band.

Dustin Bentall- songwriter, singer, rhythm guitar player

Del Cowsill - bass guitar, backup vocals

Adam Dobres - lead guitar

Pat Steward - drums


Tell us a little bit about the history of your band.

I recorded my debut album in 2006 with no studio experience and little live performing experience. Everyone in the americana/ alt-country scene across Canada took great notice to it. I spent a couple years touring as a songwriter with my '73 Martin in hand and a bag full of harmonicas. In the time that passed I put together a band with the best g'damn guitar player I ever saw in that time, Adam Dobres from Victoria. Next I found Del Cowsill, son of Billy Cowsill of The Cowsills (Hair, Ed Sullivan Show...) and later with The Blue Shadows. After a year of touring with that band we recorded a record which will be coming out later this year. With the ears of the scene on us we have been playing shows recently with Blue Rodeo as well as crossing borders, musically speaking, to play with Sam Roberts and Matt Mays.


How would you describe your sound?

Rock N' Roll, Country, Psychedelic, fun.


You'll be traveling to Toronto to play at NXNE in the middle of June. What makes this festival worth crossing the country for or is it just another show?

Not just an other show. There is no such thing. We have the incredible honor of playing The Dakota Tavern on Saturday night at midnight on the weekend of NXNE!


What's your favourite song from the 80's?

I'm a little tipsy right now so I'll have to think a minute... "Something To Live For" by Barney Bentall and The Legendary Hearts. That made elementary school a lot easier 'cause my dad was so much cooler than anyone else's dad.


What's the coolest thing you've ever bought?

A '69 Chevy Imala with 42,000 original miles. It saved my life too when an F250 with a camper trailer crossed the center line and hit it head on.


For the people who've downloaded your album, tell us why they should check out your live show.

Live performance is what I am in this game for. That's when the magic happens. Don't get me wrong I love recording but you don't have a room full of people to react from when you are in the studio.


Thanks for doing the interview. You have the last word, say what you want to say.

See us on June 20th. But if you can't get in come back next time because we are going to be doing this for a long time.


http://www.dustinbentall.com/
http://www.myspace.com/dustinbentall

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