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Diamonds Under Fire is a Los Angeles rock band spanning several genres. They’ll be releasing their new EP Hearts On Hiatus tomorrow, but today we are thrilled to premiere the song “Painted Coins (My Satellite Remix)” right here on GroundSounds. Check out the song and get to know the band in our interview below!
GS: How did you meet and form the band?
DUF Singer Vanessa Silberman: I started the band in my late teens & developed it over the last 8+ years. Diamonds Under Fire has mainly been my band but I’ve had a few players & short-term members (including Bryan Stage from My Satellite who did the Painted Coins Remix). I’ve been so blessed having had a lot amazing players, friends & session musicians help me over the years in the studio & on the road. With the current line up, a few years ago I decided to develop the band more & do what I had originally envisioned. Emily Armstrong (from Dead Sara) told her manager Isaac Heymann I was looking for a drummer & he introduced me to Jessica. Around the same time I was working at Silverlake Lounge in LA & Sick of Sarah was playing one night. I met the bassist Jaime Holm & she introduced me to her cousin Melinda.
Where did the name Diamonds Under Fire come from?
I came up with the name in my teens. I was going through a rough time –I had gotten kicked out of school for drugs & had to take a lot of responsibility. I thought Diamonds Under Fire was a good band name because it could be applied to life in general & there’s a message attached. It’s an analogy of sorts & almost ironic in the fact that diamonds aren’t just diamonds – they start out as coal & go through a process to become what they are. It’s kind of about growth & compassion for all –Going through bad or uncomfortable experiences suck but make you who you are so you can understand, see the good & learn. Life is just a whole bunch of lessons! You can’t judge a book by it’s cover as the sayings goes, you have no idea what a person has gone through to be who they are.
Who were your main influences that impacted the direction of your sound?
The first band that inspired me to play music was Nirvana, so that’s a big influence. Growing up in the 90’s I listened to a lot of grunge & punk bands so they for sure impacted the direction. I also spent years around studios, producers & worked various music jobs where I needed to listen to every genre. I love everything from The Game to The Rolling Stones to Failure & The Ramones. With the current Diamonds Under Fire lineup I really wanted to develop the direction of the sound more. For the new EP (release set for spring 2014) Jessica, Melinda & I collaborated. We really tried to bring out little hints of influences & expanding the sound of the songs but still keep it rock.
Your new EP Hearts on Hiatus is out on Tuesday. How long was the EP in the making and what can listeners expect from the new songs?
Hearts on Hiatus (Deluxe Edition) EP is a collection of older demos, b-sides & remixes. One demo is actually from Diamonds Under Fire’s first ever recording session – so it’s kind of a long time in the making but also came together very fast. There’s 2 remixes, one with a poppy spin on it by KIDFORCE & one with a more electronic feel by My Satellite. People can expect variety! It’s a release to hold fans & listeners over til our new EP is out. Hearts on Hiatus sums up Diamonds Under Fire’s career thus far but also lightly showcases the expanding musical diversity & direction of the band for the future.
What was the inspiration for the first single “Everything Fades To Red”?
Lyrically, Everything Fades to Red was inspired by punk ethics & saying how you feel. Specifically, a Minor Threat song inspired the title & I really wanted to capture the spirit of an outspoken youth. It’s very much about culture, attitude & not wanting to feel owned by anyone. When I was younger I felt let down & mad at society, that people were okay with things like war or the fact that there is poverty in America. As I’ve grown I’ve learned if you are unhappy & want something to change YOU have to take it your hands & change it.
Musically with the KIDFORCE EDIT I really wanted to do a new 2013 spin on the song & showcase raw rock music with some fun pop production. Rhett (KIDFORCE) & I have collaborated before & we both relate on so many levels. He’s such an inspiring artist & great writer / producer.
We are excited to be premiering “Painted Coins” today! Tell us about writing the track and the story behind it.
Originally Painted Coins was a demo recording that I never felt satisfied with. My performance didn’t quite capture the emotion I wanted & I felt the vibe needed to be different. Around the time when I was putting this EP together, Bryan (of My Satellite) played me some of his bands new songs –which I loved right away so on a last min. whim I asked if he’d do a remix. Lyrically Pained Coins probably isn’t the happiest song but it is about questioning & trying to understand things. Wanting to know why you feel a certain way but not knowing where the emotion is coming from.
After the EP release, what’s next for you?
We are playing Viper Room Jan. 15th & we are currently finishing mixing the next Diamonds Under Fire EP with a release set for spring 2014.
What has been the best moment as a band for you so far?
I recall one of the best moments was the first show date on a tour a few years ago. It took 3 days to get to the first date in MN & I remember being on stage after the show & saying to myself “oh wow, this is what I’ve been working for”. I literally forgot –Sometimes as a artist or band you spend years working before you get to tour — writing, recording, playing locally, working a day job, booking, writing emails, rehearsing, just basic work, life & everyday things that you do in order to build as a band. For me playing a live show & interacting with people is one of the most satisfying things in life. I feel truly 100% myself playing guitar & singing on stage.
Mainstream music is seeing a lot of female bands/musicians moving toward (perhaps getting pushed toward) a more pop-oriented sound. Why do you think this is? What are some of the challenges you have faced (if any) as a heavier, kick-ass rock band?
Really great question! I think in this current state of music today it’s harder for bands in general to be successful, esp. in rock, let alone female acts. I think it’s harder meaning, there’s such a big gap between indie band & pop band, you have to work your butt off to make a living at it so it makes sense that bands would be moving toward a more pop-oriented sound to appeal to a bigger audience. But I also think the process of bands evolving into more pop-oriented sound has been going on for a long time –over the years we’ve seen bands develop their sound when they do the jump from indie to major label. The mass majority of people like songs they can sing along to, that are easy on the ears & not too harsh or abrasive sounding especially for female acts. Mainstream listeners like simple easy words they can understand & relate to –Sometimes heavier rock music can sound too aggressive & the message or lyrics can be to complicated or not clear so it appeals to a smaller audience. The challenge I’m faced with is to write the best songs I can & keep pushing myself to work harder –maybe finding a middle ground to write heavier rock sounding songs that are pop-oriented & be successful at it. I like pop & I believe strongly that if the music is good, honest & has good intentions it’ll find it’s way, even if it’s heavier.
What do you love to do when you aren’t writing or performing music?
When I’m not doing the band I work at a recording studio (Studio 606) I love recording & working with other bands & artists. I also love seeing shows, watching movies & traveling of all kinds — I love France & London. I’d love to go to Japan or spend some more time in Europe… I went to Egypt once & that was amazing. I love going to the desert too.
What are you currently listening to? Any guilty pleasure songs?
I’ve been listening to a lot of local radio lately (KIISFM, KROQ, The Sound, 98.7FM) & to a lot Mutt Lang records –love his production. Band-wise I’m listening to the Down & Outlaws, a very talented band from San Francisco that I’m helping develop through my artist development label: A Diamond Heart Production. I’ve been listening to a lot of their new demos & current EP. I go see a lot of local LA shows too & listen to a lot of bands that I’m friends with or played or worked with in one way or another. Love Meg Myers, Beware of Darkness, Kidforce, Clear Plastic, Dekades, Big Black Delta, & My Satellite to name a few.
What is your goal as a band for 2014?
Release our new EP & support it! It’s been a year since we started recording & it’s almost done. It’s been a huge growing process as far as the band & recording goes. I’ve been mixing it at the studio I work at whenever we have downtime with our collaborator John ‘Lou’ Lousteau, who I also consider my mentor.
Where is the best place to stay updated with you and check out touring plans?
Diamondsunderfire.com or Facebook.co/dufmusic
