Friday, September 23, 2011

Mackenzie First from Laval to the WORLD: "Better"



David Black
Mackenzie First is a Canadian alternative; pop, post-punk band formed in 2001 by singer/songwriter Dave Black & guitarist songwriter Domenic Berardi in Montreal, Canada. Black & Berardi worked for the next few years on the bands development and songwriting. After countless demos and club dates to fine-tune the material, the band was starting to show results. The music soon became an outlet allowing them to air their views on the social landscape and its changing tides. The sound was also taking on a new shape. Experimental pop textures were infused with timely subject matter, (always with a tongue-in-cheek delivery) yielded refreshing results, such as their first single and video BETTER on their debut album. Mackenzie First’s music had now evolved into their very own distinct brand.  

It’s not often that a band makes it past the harsh reality of the industry and keeps its, course creating the music it believes in. Mackenzie First has proven to be the exception. They have stayed on track and continued to write songs that inspire. Since their inception in 2001, they have remained strong and faced adversity with a smile. Their strong morals and humoristic approach to world events brings about a refreshing take on music. 

Click Here to here the song --->"BETTER" 

the world Premiere of the video "BETTER" is scheduled to be release at Ottawa Fashion week on September 30th at 9:00 PM, at the premiere of "Element Fire" Spring/Summer 2012 collection of Ralph Leroy.
   
David Black
How did you become "Mackenzie First" ?

We all grew up together in Laval. We had several different bands and band names along the way and Mackenzie First was an inside joke about Dom and Dave flunking Grade 10 history class. (Thinking that Mackenzie was the first prime minister of Canada) when we got onto the 123 punk album in 2002 the name just kinda stuck. People knew who we were and more importantly we felt that it actually had a special meaning to us.  

How did you meet Ralph Leroy?

We met Ralph threw a mutual friend of our label (Tab Records).


Can you describe what it was like to work with Ralph?

We really liked working with Ralph. He was direct and to the point. Ralph understood the dynamics of the band and our individual personalities very well and it came across in his choices of clothing for us. From then on in he had our complete trust. He's also a very honest man who doesn't hide his feelings or tip toe around the truth which was very refreshing and he was not afraid to tell us the truth where are style and our best interest was concerned. If something we were doing looked bad we were able to count on his utmost honest opinion. In this buisness that's the kind of person you really need.

Domenic Berardi
How would you describe Mackenzie First's style? (Wardrobe and music genre)

Were very colorful characters and our wardrobe and music style definitely have to represent that.  Ralph understood us right away and was able to help us bring this out I would say musically were a cross between The B52`s and Aerosmith, clean pop sound with funky overtones and a rock edge.  Wardrobe wise were a mix of Britt pop fashion and 70's vintage.

What are your thoughts on the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection?

From what we have seen we think it looks AMAZING and we're very excited to see more at Fashion week!



Zook Zuccaro
Do you have favorite pieces you would like to wear from the Collection?

Dave:  The pieces Ralph gave us for the music video suited my personality so well I honestly don't think I've ever felt more "In my skin" The Scotch checkered Jacket was Super cool and Very something I'd wear but i think the red leather jacket would have to be my favorite. I'm just a sucker for the classics!

Dom: I love the bright colored suit jackets. I used to wear a lot of Black/Grey and now I'm really into the vintage colorful styled jackets. 
Ever since I saw myself wearing the bright colors in the video I'm never going back to those boring colors again!

 
What do you want your listeners to retain from your album?

To have a positive outlook on some of life's toughest issues, One thing were all about is finding the light in a soar subject. You don't always get to choose your path in life but you can choose how your going to walk down it. With the right attitude and a little Rock & Roll magic you can always turn everything around!

When our singer Dave was 9 his older sister Jillian tragically passed away from cystic fibrosis. For years he was depressed and thought nothing but why me. It was only when he realized that all the biggest and greatest philanthropists in the world have also suffered great losses. That he began to realize there was another way. With great loss comes great understanding. It’s all relative. 

Our new single Better is about just that! Everyone in our circle is positive and works hard! We may not have been born with every advantage in this world but we'll keep spreading are positive message and trying to good by people. Not for some crazy religious purpose but just because it’s the right thing to do and if we win we all win.  

Mario Telaro
Where do you see your music in 5 years?

All over the world! 
I expect to be on a world tour as soon as our new single is released!
Check it out Here : “BETTER”

Can we expect Mackenzie First and Ralph Leroy to collaborate on future projects?

Absolutely! Ralph did stellar job and we look forward to working with him again on all our big projects!





By Blame_coco


David Black
Mackenzie First: "Better"

 Courtesy:






Photos: Janie Fontaine

1 comment:

karl gaetjens said...

I expect to see much in that collection. But better yet I expect hear much more... I knOw Ralph will give us all much to talk about and to be dazzled by next week.
As the element "fire" does it like no other... "BRING THE HEAT!"

Karl