Today, we sat down with Denia, Jim, and Chris from Mr. Trickster to talk their start in music, eating carrots in the studio, and much more! Be sure to check out their latest music video Land of Tomorrow below after the interview!
Interview:
How did you get your start in music?
Denia : – Feels like I started playing guitar 1000 years ago. Like I was born with one in my hands!
Anyway, truth is , I started playing guitar around 15 years ago, just because I saw my cousin’s red Stratocaster and I was jealous. I didn’t know a thing about rock music or its sub-genres.
I just loved how the e-guitar looked. After that it was a never-ending journey, one favourite band lead me to another, and the more I kept listening new music, the more I wanted to play myself.
So.. here we are now!
Jim : – Me and some friends were talking about starting a band and we were missing the bass player. I decided to go for it, since I loved the sound of bass. I later learned how to compose music and the fun was too much to pass it on.
Chris : – I was about 13 when I had my first guitar and it was a classical one. Not my choice, brought as a gift , the only thing I can recall was that I quickly left the idea of learning things on it, because of the way classical guitars are usually played, fingerstyle approach and that was very boring to me at the time. I switched to electric immediately where I found what I was looking for, plus the fact that I had a teacher who was an amazing Blues/Funk/Fusion player and a Stevie Ray Vaughan admirer.
What type of music did you listen to while growing up?
Denia : – As a child , I’d say I was just listening what was mainstream. It wasn’t until , the cousin that I mentioned earlier bought me “Nevermind” by Nirvana , and introduced me into the world of rock and heavier music.
There was no internet back then, so it was difficult to discover music. A few years later (around fourteens) I begun discovering new music. Of course like most people I have to admit that it was Metallica that captured my teenage heart, and will always be my first love.
Jim : I started with the classic rock legends, such as Scorpions, ACDC, RHCP and Guns n Roses. After starting bass lessons, my teacher exposed me to many other styles and bands that became all time favourites, like Rush and Muse. The repertoire has not stop growing to this day with progressive metal and j-rock.
Chris : – I’m crediting my father for introducing me to great artists who would go on to influence my later sound. My father would play vinyl records of Camel, Wishbone Ash, Yes, Genesis, Queen, Pink Floyd, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and many others but mostly progressive rock artists. I think that training your ear at a very young age to artists like them half-made my current approach to music, interesting chord progressions and deep connection to melodies. And I say half-made because I wouldn’t have had such an approach to music if I hadn’t listen to Smashing Pumpkins , Radiohead , Jeff Buckley , Faith No More and Blur in my teenage years. Especially albums like “Siamese Dream” , “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” , “OK Computer” and “Modern Life is Rubbish” changed the way I think about the guitar, while “Grace” by Jeff Buckley, Angel Dust by Faith No More and “Court and Spark” by Joni Mitchell got me into singing.
What are fun stories you can share while you’re in the studio recording music?
Denia : Well , I’ve recorded with many different bands and people. I don’t know about fun stories… but I remember when I was recording an EP with a band, And spent all of the drums recording time, sleeping in the control room’s sofa. After we finished and the woke me up, they were angry bc all the backstage footage, was me just… sleeping.
Chris : Eating carrots, making weird sounds.
What is your latest song or album you can share with us?
Chris : “The End Of An Era” is the first single song that’s worth mentioning.
You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R1zebPc6sM
Where can our fans find you on social media for any music updates?
Instagram : @mrtricksterofficial https://www.instagram.com/mrtricksterofficial/
Spotify : Mr. Trickster https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BU4ToRqjNfdURx3fw1oj1?si=Nre4OWUyQJaSgrwoifcuRg
Youtube : mrtricksterofficial
Music:
