Interview: Dark Tropics on 'Whispers', Analog Gear and Standing Out in a Crowded Industry
The Belfast duo talk 'Whispers', lo-fi recording, standing out in a digital age, dream collabs, and more.
We had the pleasure of speaking with multi-instrumentalist Gerard of the pop-noir duo Dark Tropics about their latest single, 'Whispers', the lo-fi recording process behind it, and the vintage gear that shapes their sound.
We also discussed the challenges of standing out in today’s crowded digital landscape, their future plans and goals, dream collaborations and festival stages, their take on Spotify, and on a lighter note, country duets with Darth Vader, imaginary Netflix soap operas, and time-traveling performances in 1920s Paris.
Eugenia Roditis, Musicngear: 'Whispers' feels a bit more intense compared to your previous releases. Was there anything different about your recording process or the gear you used for this track?
Yeah, it’s definitely much heavier than our previous releases. I can't stress enough how low-fi the recording process was for this song. Everything was recorded really quickly at home to get a half-decent version of the song down whilst it was being written and the parts worked out.
We then wanted to re-record everything at a later date. When we actually tried to redo it all, we lost the energy and joy of that original version. We ended up keeping all those original home tracks, except we did go to the ‘Start Together’ studio in Belfast to track live drums with an amazing drummer called Jamie Hewitt.
Musicngear: You've spoken about using analog instruments and vintage recording techniques to shape your sound. Can you tell us a bit more about the specific gear or instruments that have become essential to Dark Tropics?
I have a really old Fender Deluxe 85 amp, which has been on its last legs for years. It sounds really harsh and buzzy, but for some reason, it always sounds great on record. For a song like 'Whispers', we wanted it to snarl and spit as much as possible, and that old amp really gives it a chaotic bite that a better amp maybe wouldn't have been able to.
My advice to newer artists would be to bug people in the industry until they take notice
Musicngear: What have been the biggest challenges for Dark Tropics so far, and what advice would you give to newer artists hitting those same walls?
It's the songwriting and recording that is the most enjoyable part of being in a band for me. Once you start putting the music out into the world, it all gets a lot trickier.
I think the biggest challenge is actually getting people to hear your music. There's so much media flying at everyone through their phones that it can be hard for an artist to get any attention at all in a sea of pixels.
My advice to newer artists would be to bug people in the industry until they take notice. Industry people are busy and inundated with music, but if you can get them to listen and they like what they hear, they can be incredibly helpful and supportive.
Musicngear: What are your goals for this release? Are you focusing more on streaming numbers, booking gigs, getting blog coverage, or something else entirely? And how do you go about making that happen?
To be honest, we'd really love to get this song on the radio. People have been responding positively to it so far, which is lovely. It feels like it's the kind of song that, if we can get it heard enough on the radio, it could serve as a real 'advertisement' for our live show.
Musicngear: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or not, who would be at the top of your list? And are there any dream venues or festivals you’d love to play in the near future?
My favourite sounding albums are those late 60s, early 70s Rolling Stones classics. So, if we could bring Jimmy Miller back to life to produce a couple of Dark Tropics singles, that would be wonderful.
The dream festival from day one has been Glastonbury. We watch it every year on TV, and playing there would be wonderful.
Musicngear: If from now on you had to choose only one format to release visuals for your music, what would that be? Official music videos or TikToks/Shorts/Reels? And why?
I think music videos. Rio is an absolute natural in front of the camera, and I'm always in awe of her ability to find new ways of bringing the songs to life with her visuals.
She could genuinely be an amazing actor, too, and I think one day she'll move into that field with ease.
Musicngear: Given that Spotify pays musicians mere pennies while raking in billions, do you believe the music industry would be better or worse off if the platform disappeared overnight?
I really have no idea. It's essentially just another tech company. Unfortunately, it seems that most tech companies aren't going to have any artist's interest as their main priority, which is really sad. Hopefully, things will change soon.
Musicngear: Ηow do you navigate the challenges of making a living as a musician today? Is music your main source of income, or do you have other ways to sustain yourself financially?
There can be a good month here and there if we play a lot of shows or have a song that does well on the radio, but it's very tough. We both have side hustles/jobs, but obviously, making a really good living with music would be the dream.
Musicngear: Let's have some fun! Your biggest hit is now a Netflix series. What's the plot, and which celebrity randomly shows up as a guest star?
‘Moroccan Sun' would obviously have to be a soap opera starring Jennifer Coolidge and Denzel about a cruise ship stranded off the coast of Morocco. What crazy adventures will ensue? Could there be a murder at the wedding? I think so.
Musicngear: If you could write a duet with a fictional character (from books, movies, or games), who would it be and what would the song be about?
A country music song with Darth Vader about his family tree might be fun to write. What rhymes with Skywalker?
Musicngear: If time travel existed and you could perform one of your songs in any era, where and when would you go?
We'd have to play 'I Bet You Can ' in the 1920s in Paris. I feel like it would really work. Maybe.
Musicngear: What's next for Dark Tropics after 'Whispers'? More new music, more touring, world domination?
It's going to be a year of singles for us. We've written so much music, and we’re really desperate for people to hear it. We'll take our time making sure the visuals are right, but it'll be a big year of releases for us.
Connect with Dark Tropics
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About Eugenia Roditis
Eugenia's passion for music was ignited from an early age as she grew up in a family of musicians. She loves attending concerts and festivals, while constantly seeking fresh and exciting new artists across diverse genres. Eugenia joined the MusicnGear team in 2012.
Contact Eugenia Roditis at eugenia.roditis@kinkl.com
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