Uniting the Elements
Interview
Uniting the Elements are a punk, rock, and pop crossover act. Formed in 2001, the band have racked up an impressive list of opening slots and achieved radio plays in the US.
So, how did they come up with that name?
We sat in our tiny, smokefilled band office and everybody came up with an idea. Well, Dawn did not give in until her idea was accepted. How she came up with it? Who knows where ideas come from, it just felt right.
And how is it that they’ve racked up such a huge number of live shows (something like 850 dates!)
We formed in Sep 2001, first gig was Feb 2002 and the real deal of being a 100%, 24/7 band in June 2004.
Who would you consider are your most inspiring musical influences?
Dawn: Everything with a fat drumbeat and/or good vocals, e.g. System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine and of course Movie Soundtracks.
Ola: Journey and Van Halen
Sarah: Nirvana
Apart from your mum, who or what are your most important non-musical influences?
Dawn: Superhero movies, the moon
Ola: Carlos Castaneda, people without fear
Sarah: Motorbikes, Scooters, my pets, shoes
What’s the thing that sets you band apart from the rest?
Vision, Songwriting, stage presence
Where was the first gig you ever played?
JUZ, Gruenwald, Germany
What about the best gig you ever played and why?
The Vault in Baltimore cause we kicked proper ass.
What was your most embarrassing moment whilst playing live?
Dawn: When Ola left stage after the first song, because of catastrophic monitor sound
Ola: I once turned round and fell off stage
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Dawn: Guns n Roses
Ola: Jethro Tull
Sarah: Skunk Anansie, Muse
If you could choose the line up for the best gig in the world who would be on it and where would you stage it?
Dawn: Guns n Roses, Meat Loaf, Dolly Parton, Limp Bizkit at any open air stadium where its warm
Ola: Uniting The Elements, Journey, Led Zeppelin at Lahsa
Sarah: Sleater Kinney, The Organ, At the Drive-In, Oasis, The Darkness, Foo Fighters in the backgarden
What was the last album you listened to?
Dawn: Johnny Cash, Best Of
Ola: Deftones
Sarah: Gossip
What’s your favourite song lyric?
Dawn: Meat Loaf – ‘Objects in the rear view mirror…’
Ola: ‘She’s talking to the trees again’ by My Chemical Romance
Sarah: ‘A day in the life’ by The Beatles
What’s your take on the current state of modern music?
Dawn: It has always been hard for me to find a band, artist that I am really passionate about. I am a song person and there are always good songs around at any time.
Ola: The bands in the past were much better, they were more innovative
Sarah: It’s alright. It’s good.
Which animated character do you have the most empathy with and why?
Dawn: She-Ra, cause she is strong, sexy and can kick the bad guys ass.
Ola: Mater from the movie Cars
Sarah: Don’t know.
If you could have a drink with any dead musician who would it be?
Ola: Janis Joplin
Sarah: Keith Moon
Anything to confess?
Ola: I like Wagner Overtures
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