TRR: Grant, as the lead guitarist, you bring a lot of energy to the band's sound. What is your approach to crafting guitar riffs, and how does it differ f or songs like Hold the Line versus Night Lady?

Grant: I just play what inspires me and what’s fun to play. I spend a lot of time experimenting with new ideas and jamming until something clicks. Songs like Hold the Line and Night Lady come about similarly. I’ll be playing guitar, find something that catches my ear, and then keep jamming on it until it turns into a full song.

TRR: Austin, your vocals on both Hold the Line and Night Lady stand out. How do you find the right emotional tone for each song, and what influences your performance in the studio versus live shows?

Austin: The way I find the right tone for the song emotionally is by completely immersing myself in the lyrics and making them have attitude when recording. As for studio versus live vocals, in the studio, I'm focused on capturing the live feel and emotion of the song, as if you were hearing it live. The live vocals follow a similar approach, but because of the adrenaline I get from hearing and seeing the audience, it enhances my singing with a bit more power and energy.

TRR: Matthew, with your solid bass lines driving the rhythm, how do you collaborate with Jack to create the foundation for DAZR’s hard rock sound?

Matthew: It’s all about what is going on during certain parts of a song—how we can highlight what the melody is doing. It’s a give and take between Jack and me for who is laying the foundation for the other. Every now and then, we can just let it rip at the same time. That’s when you can feel it.

TRR: Jack, the drumming in your tracks adds an essential layer to DAZR’s overall sound. How do you approach creating beats that complement the intensity of the guitar and vocals in your music?

Jack: Well, I am heavily influenced by 80s metal (Metallica) and a few of the newer metal drummers, Mario Duplantier (Gojira) in particular. When I first joined DAZR, their style was somewhat new to me. Once we started writing, I tried to mix in that punch of metal with the old-school rock beat. Our single "Hold The Line" is probably my favorite, as it spotlights how the band's low-end, guitar, and vocals all come together to create a new, unique sound with that classic rock feel. That's my approach on each song with the band—enjoy the process and create a new sound together. Something new, yet classic, that highlights the amazing talent within the band. Something that people of
all ages and music genres can enjoy. It never gets old. This job is amazing.

TRR: Congratulations on the new EP, DAZR, which was just released. Tell me a bit about the album, and how it all came together. Two fan favorites, Night Lady and Hold the Line are both featured.

DAZR: Thanks. Yes, Night Lady and Hold The Line were released in 2024 and they are two tracks out of the 5 tracks on the self-titled EP. Both songs have gotten a lot of attention and streaming well. The EP has been a labor of love for us, highly anticipated, and a goal of ours since the band formed. It's exciting to see where we started just a couple of years ago to now releasing our first EP with plans for a full album this
year.

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TRR: The new video for your song, Can’t Take it Anymore, is scheduled to be released in the next few days as well. What was it like shooting that video? Where did that take place?

DAZR: We have to give credit to Austin, who really spearheaded the video production from start to finish. While we all had input and collaborated, he had the overall vision, and we love how it turned out. We had two days of filming: one in a beautiful home in Atlanta and the other in Augusta at a stunning old church. Two long 8-hour days, but so worth it!

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TRR: How do you guys manage the balance between being true to your hard rock roots while still exploring new sounds and themes in your music?

DAZR: We just play what we like and what moves us. We try not to be put in a box, but we love old-school rock n roll so that is what inspires us the most and gets us moving.

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TRR: DAZR has a lot of energy both in the studio and on stage. What’s your favorite part of the creative process, whether it’s writing, recording, or performing live?

DAZR: We love performing live—it’s our favorite part. While we enjoy the creative process in the studio, where we craft and capture our sound, nothing compares to the rush of seeing the crowd’s reaction and feeling their energy. That connection is truly the best part.

TRR: Each band member brings something unique to DAZRs dynamic. How would you describe your contributions to the band and how it all comes together when you perform?

DAZR: When it comes to writing, Grant lays the foundation with riffs and melodies on the guitar, setting the tone for the song. Austin then listens to the riffs, soaking in the vibe and energy of the music, and writes lyrics that reflect what he feels. Shranko takes care of the arrangements, crafting his bass lines based on the structure Grant has created. And of course, Jack brings it all together with his powerful
drumming. When we perform live, we feed off each other’s energy and have an absolute blast on stage together.

TRR: What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band so far, and how have you overcome it?

DAZR: The biggest challenge we have had as a band is to be patient. Things take time and you just have to keep your head down and keep working and never stop.

TRR: South Carolina has a unique music scene. How has growing up and being based there influenced your sound and your approach to the industry?

DAZR: Growing up in South Carolina hasn’t had a major impact on our approach to music. Instead, it’s the music we all grew up listening to that has shaped us. Rock 'n' roll has been our biggest influence, and it’s the sound that’s most deeply rooted in who we are.

TRR: With Hold the Line and Night Lady becoming fan favorites, do you have any future plans to expand on those tracks’ styles or concepts in upcoming songs or albums?

DAZR:  Absolutely, those two songs definitely represent our sound as a band. Of course, our sound is always evolving but we are very proud of those two tracks. They are hard-rocking songs that we love.

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TRR: Finally, what’s next for DAZR? Any exciting plans for new releases, tours, or collaborations that fans can look forward to?

DAZR: We have a lot of exciting things ahead! We’ll be playing an awesome show at the Tabernacle Theatre in Atlanta, GA, opening for ZOSO in larger cap venues which is exciting. We’re also working hard on an album set to drop this year. Plus, our music video for Can't Take It Anymore is coming soon and we can’t wait for everyone to see it. A tour is definitely on the list. We’re looking forward to this year and all the big things in the works!

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