Inspired #0022 - Deidre & the Dark
Brooklyn-based noir-pop artist Deidre & the Dark has just released her debut LP, Variety Hour, she took a moment to talk to us about allowing time and space for joy and beauty.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
My trifecta of European film composers - Bernard Herrmann, Michel Legrand & Nino Rota. The grasp on melody, harmonic richness and lush arrangements among these artists is overwhelming. I literally get emotionally overwhelmed often when I hear some of their work, even when it’s out of the context of the film it was composed for.
60s pop, rock, soul - There’s something about this era of music that captivates me on all fronts. I think it has to do with the idea of the greater culture starting to "loosen its tie" a bit, so you have the polish and formality of prior decades lingering while artists really start to test the boundaries and get a little wilder. It’s an amazing blend of opposites.
My family & my studio family - I am always interested in what interests the people closest to me - it’s infectious. So often I will dive headfirst into a new niche after someone plays me one song that they’re currently obsessed with.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
There are a lot of films I love, but I’ll pick one - “All About Eve.” Such a classic. One of the things I’m most inspired to write about is the range of female archetypes, and the different roles they play in culture over time. This film is like a time capsule of so many amazing portrait moments of female archetypes, thanks to the incredible two lead female characters and the actresses who play them.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
Currently, Milwaukee, WI - I've been spending a lot of time in Milwaukee recently, and there are so many pockets and corners of the city that are preserved mid-century treasures. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it - that a place like this exists, where I can keep being surprised by historic cocktail spots and original mid-century buildings, and that they seamlessly co-exist with the modern world. My imagination gets fired up when I feel like I’ve traveled through time.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
My husband David (Perlick-Molinari), who is a composer & all-around audio wizard. I am constantly inspired by his curiosity, spirit, persistence, and devotion to his craft. He is a true craftsman. Even if he weren’t my #1 supporter (which he is - he always says “why not?” to my biggest and most outlandish ideas), I would still be inspired by how he approaches any project he undertakes.
How would you like to inspire people?
I would love to inspire people to stay curious and playful, to peel back the onion of music history and keep discovering, and, amidst the chaos of the world, to allow themselves time and space for joy and beauty.