On Our Radar: Darwin Deez

Darwin Deez first came to the attention of Gigwise in 2009 with his single 'Constellations'. Taking the cool NYC vibes of The Strokes and putting a smile on their face Darwin Deez makes simple but undeniable indie pop gems. This year has already seen him release one of the catchiest songs around in 'Radar Detector' and with an album and UK tour on the way there is no stopping him. We caught up with the curly haired one to talk music, parents and umm Demi Lovato...

Gigwise: Can you briefly tell us about yourself and your music?
Darwin Deez: "Mmmmm.....ok.........sure, ask me anything."

How long have you been performing these songs?
"Two years, man.  Two ****ing years.  Thank god people in your part of the world have discovered it!  the ball finally seems to be rolling, which is very exciting."

When did you meet your band mates?
"I knew michelle (bass) when i was a kid, although she is 4 years older than me. I met greg (drums) five years ago when i started at the vegan restaurant where I work. I met cole (guitar) about one year ago when he started there, too."

What can you tell us about your new single 'Radar Detector'?
"A radar detector is a device, illegal in some provinces, that alerts drivers to the presence of police radar in the vicinity. Drivers, in turn, use this information to modulate the speed of their spacecraft, you nawmsayin? I once fell in love with a girl who reminded me of a radar detector in the way that she constantly kept her eye out for my well-being, like a loving machine, and i wrote this song about her."

What would be the ideal environment to listen to your music?
"Home alone with your socks on a wooden floor, no glass tables or menageries in the area. DVDs of The Glass Menagerie excepted, provided they are not in any kind of limited edition glass DVD case."

When is your debut album due? 
"My water broke last night so anytime in the next 72 hours!!!  Although the doctors say april 12th, 2010.  I mean the label says that.""

How would you describe the album to your parents?
"'It's good, you guys, i swear!'  Just kidding, my mom loves indie rock.  actually she's part of the masses now, being that Vampire Weekend topped the charts a few months ago.  She likes Camera Obscura, The Blow, Keren Ann and all that shit.  My parents like the heartfelt aspects of my songs."

What has been the best gig of you career thus far?
"Top of the heap, gig-wise?  um...my favorite was probably a show i played in a basement called Chernobyl, in west philadelphia, PA.  Everyone had waited all night for 4 other bands to play and then when we finally played at midnight, kids were singing along and dancing 2 feet away from us.  Young kids -tipsy young kids.  The place was a 3-story house; the show was also a house party.  It was awesome.  I felt very loved.  I think we really made a connection that night."

Are there any producers or artists you'd like to collaborate with?
Yes--especially on video projects: Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Ke$ha, et al.  I'd also like to collaborate with Jacob Ciocci of Paperrad/Extreme Animals."  

What are your plans for the rest of 2010?
"Playing festivals in the summer and touring in Australia, Japan, Europe, and the UK." 

Who are your favourite new band?
"My favorite new band is probably Everything Everything.  They are really fantastic.  I hope I get to hear some new stuff from them on the NME Radar Tour, which we will both be on next month!"