Interview — The D.A.

Skratch Magazine

The D.A. or as they’re also known, Los Digital Analogs have
a few choice words to describe their sound. Bouncing.
Swimmingly. Slutty. Naughty. And uhh. . . Chukis? It goes
without saying that Stephen Escarzaga (guitar/bass), Cesar
Muniz (keys), Michael Frisbey (trumpet/keys), Tyler Dudley
(bass/guitar/vocal) and Evan Tremper (drums) are a pretty
creative bunch. They’ve been making indie/dance/rock out of El
Paso, Texas in July 2007.

Skratch: How did you become interested in music?

Stephen: For as long as I can remember my cousin played guitar.
He got me into it when I was around twelve.
Tyler: I always have been.
Michael: I hated my art teacher in middle school, so I joined
band.
Evan: Listening to Green Day and Coolio with my brother when.
I was five.
Cesar: When I was eight, I’d always mess around with my
cousins synthesizer.

Skratch: What is your song writing process like?

DA: Someone usually creates something, be it a bass line or an
entire structured song, and just jam on it until we feel comfortable with our own parts. It’s a free-for-all, the process changes for every song.

Skratch: What artists or musicians inspire you?

DA: Talking Heads, Bob Dylan, Modest Mouse, Hall & Oates, Lou Reed, Gang of Four, Herbie Hancock, Kevin Barnes, Giorgio Moroder, Daft Punk, Cut Copy, NOFX, The Specials

Skratch: Where do you take musical inspiration from? Your environment? People? Explain.

DA: Babies laughter, kitten humor, shooting targets, Tony Robbins.

Skratch: What is your musical background?

Stephen: I studied a bit of Jazz and Flamenco, but only scratched the surface of those disciplines.
Evan: Started with punk, then started studying jazz and Afro-Cuban music with Ricky Malichi.
Michael: UTEP trumpet studio/Jazz and legit bands.

Skratch: Tell us about how you got started as a band.

DA: We were two different groups of childhood friends that jammed one day in July 2007. Now we’ve become one.

Skratch: What is the most rewarding part of playing in a band?

DA:Capturing the elusive groove and having people like our stuff.

Skrtach: What challenges have you faced as musicians?

DA:Time management.

Skratch: What would you say is your best song to date? Why?

DA: I’d have to say “Long Distance Love Affair” off our 1976 album “I’d Rather Believe in You”. It’s a rollercoaster.

Skratch: Do you remember the first album you ever bought? What was it?
Stephen: “Licensed to Ill” by Beastie Boys,
Cesar: “Revolver “ by The Beatles
Tyler: “Dookie” by Green Day
Michael: A shitty Robert Miles CD
Evan: “Tragic Kingdom” by No Doubt

Skratch: Where do you see your band in five years?

DA: Its already set: Universal Tour 2015

Skratch: Would you say your goals as a band are long term, or short term? What do you ultimately hope to achieve? Explain.

DA:Maybe somewhere in the middle, all we want to do is make a living playing music on our own terms.

Skratch: How has your band evolved since when you first formed?

DA: Our sound has matured immensely.

Skratch: How often do you practice? What is your rehearsal time like?

DA: Two to three times a week or as much as we can. Sometimes we practice for hours on end, sometimes for just twenty minutes.

Skratch: What would you say is your band’s motto? Explain.

DA: “Suckin’ n Fuckin’ since 2007” It sells itself.

Skratch: What shows/album releases/plans do you currently have set up? Tell us about them.

DA: We’re heading to Austin for SXSW, planning a West coast tour for this summer, and also plan on recording a new EP soon.

Skratch: Where have your performed? Tell us about the experience.

DA: We’ve done a Midwest and Central Texas tour. Turns out, Michigan is the beez-kneez.

Skratch: What sets your stage show a part from all the other bands making the rounds at venues?

DA: Our infectious grooves go straight to your hooves.

Skratch: Anything else you think we should know about the band?
DA: All of us still have all our baby teeth.

If you’d like more the D.A. go to myspace.com/losdigitalanalogs

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