A fresh highschool certificate รกnd a fabulous full-lenght LP in the same pocket
Youths On Skates: Daniel Garrett Willis & best friends, Born @ 15.8.1994, Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Q: Who/what has been your motivation to “shine”?
A: "People no longer need powerful business connections, vast sums of money, and immense knowledge of music composition to start bands anymore. The music technology becomes more available for cheap and the internet is expanding rapidly as a source for finding new and interesting music. There are some great things that have come out of the "internet generation". One of those things is Best Friend Records. Most of the artists on BFR are under 20. People fresh out of high school are making records. They are forming amazingly supportive musical communities instead of just buckling under the pressure of soul-less profit-driven major labels."
>> Best Friend Records is a non is a not-for-profit record label, "dedicated to fueling local artists so they can keep creating the music we love".
Q:Which particular mess on this planet would you like to get rid of?
A: "Although for now I try to stay out of politics, some issues are so obvious I simply have to have an opinion about them. One of these issues is deforestation. I genuinely believe that there are much better alternatives to wood as a natural resource. It's about time we find a balance between nature and industry. We have crossed the line, it's time to give back to the environment we're destroying. " >> That is why his glitters go out to Arborday Foundation. This non-profit organization plants inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They aim to m
ake the world greener and healthier today, and for generations to come. What you can do is buy a tree or give a tree to your friends.
Tip for nice christmas present maybe?
"Some issues are so obvious I simply have to have an opinion about them.. Issues like deforestation."
Q: What is the best place on earth?
A: "Cincinnati, OH. But this isn't true for everyone. It's been subjectively determined that there are more livable cities where there is more to do. It's just that Cincinnati home for me. The thing I love most about that it's a difficult city to be prejudiced about. Not a lot of people know what to expect when they come here, and I think they all leave pleasantly surprised."
"It is a band where I'm really the only permanent member"
Q: What makes you happy?My faith, my family and beloved ones.
A: "Collaborating! I write probably about 90% most of the music and lyrics for Youths on Skates, but I never do anything without asking someone what they think first. My close friends know exactly what all the songs sound like way before they're actually released because I'm constantly showing people what I'm working on and taking their criticism. Often the contributions are so small it's difficult to actually find a reason to credit them in the liner notes for my release. That's why I don't call Youths on Skates a solo project. It is a band where I'm really the only permanent member. It's just a lot of fun to take the mentality of "it takes a village to raise a child" to music."
Q: If you had a megaphone with a world-wide reach, what would be
A: There's this video of the band No Age doing their song "Everybody's Down" in some guy's basement. It was the last song in their set, so the drummer/vocalist Dean Allen Spunt was doing his thank yous, and right before they start the song, he says
"And, uh, go start a band, please".
That is such a simple and inspirational message.
