A Chat with ON (04.07.23)
Oozing raw energy, passion and infectious melodies, the indie-rock trio ON offer us profound, thought-provoking and evocative lyricism wrapped in an intoxicating kaleidoscopic wrapper. We speak with band members Lucy Di Santo (vocals and bass), Steve Fall (guitar) and Dan Cornelius (drums) about their new single, what music means to them and much more.
OSR: What drew you to music as individuals and why did you form ON?
Fall: For me, it was listening to my uncle’s record collection ( mostly hard rock) and being exposed to the bagpiper perform in front of the local liquor store in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I would have to wait outside while my grandfather shopped for his booze.
Di Santo: For me, it was a way to escape as a kid, eventually I heard melodies in my head and knew I had to realize them.
Cornelius: For me, it was watching my Dad play drums.
OSR: ON began releasing music last year but all the members have previous experience in popular rock bands – including playing together in Acid Test. How have these experiences contributed to ON?
Fall: In those previous lineups you learn about writing, recording and touring. You learn about yourself and your role in a group effort. For us, Acid Test got signed fast when we were really young. We were thrust into the major label music business. That definitely prepared us to navigate why we play and ensure we continue to make music for the right reasons and not just for an advance from a record company.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Di Santo: Music is expression, freedom to create, an inner passion to get out into the air. It can be euphoric, therapeutic, and powerful.
OSR: What can you tell us about your latest single ‘Make Me’? Do you think it is an evolution from your self-titled album at all?
Di Santo: ‘Make Me’ is a satire on relationships trying to recapture that euphoria that you once experienced with someone or something. We would not say it is an evolution per se but just us expressing ourselves in a no-nonsense effort.
OSR: What is the most challenging and enjoyable aspect of playing in a band?
Fall: Most enjoyable is playing live and writing and recording (we enjoy both equally). Most challenging is making money at it now. It seems to be harder than ever to get the financial support.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Cornelius: For us, we hope people can listen and get an experience or relate to us. Find something that makes the listener come back with repeated listens. For live performances, we just want everyone to feel the energy and vibe when we rock out.
OSR: Tell us about your latest album and your transition from Acid Test to ON.
Di Santo: Our latest album explores much more guitar as a platform and a landscape for inner reflection lyrically. Its power is in the riff and the chemistry we have as a band. With Acid Test, it was a groove and an escape within different mediums ( machines, traditional instruments and us tripping out on a groove).
OSR: What is the best compliment you have ever received?
Di Santo: That we sound heavy and tight as a live band.
OSR: What advice do you have for upcoming artists?
Di Santo: Treat it like a business but have something to fall back on so you can eat. Keep writing and rehearsing and honing your craft.
OSR: What does the future hold for ON?
Di Santo: A new record we are recording with Martin Bisi in his studio in Brooklyn, more touring. We want to get back to the US every year and eventually get to Europe and Japan.
VIEW DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Many thanks to Lucy, Steve and Dan for speaking with us. For more from ON, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
