(Toronto, ON) – David Barrett Trio is an instrumental progressive rock band, consisting of guitarist and composer David Barrett, bassist Jason Farrar and drummer Alexander “Sascha” Tukatch. DB3 inception dates back to 2010. Their combined vast experience and exceptional talent creates a technically well rounded act. The absence of a singer doesn’t hinder from the journey their music takes you, rather it makes you aware of how technically precise they are as a unit and individually. Their ability as a 3 piece band to have a dynamic and full bodied sound will impress even the harshest of critics. Additionally the big bold sound is duplicated throughout their live shows. In 2013 DB3 released their freshman self titled album with Alex Lifeson, Alan Parsons and Richard Chycki as contributing producers. This release has garnished them with internationally acclaimed reviews. DB3 has shared the stage with bands such as Saga, Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) as well as Adrian Belew (King Crimson). Recently the band has released their sophomore album titled David Barrett Trio II and a live DVD titled A Whisper to Thunder. Sascha was kind enough to take time away from his busy schedule of recording to answer a few questions.
Sue – Thanks for taking part in this interview Sascha! We really appreciate it!
Sascha – My pleasure! Thanks for having me!
Sue – For those people who are not familiar with DB3, how would you describe your sound?
Sascha – The group is an instrumental power trio along the lines of Rush, King Crimson and Yes. Some acoustic elements exist, but it is a predominantly electric outfit consisting of bass, drums and guitar. (In no specific order of course)
Sue – Whose idea was it to be an instrumental power trio?
Sascha – It was always meant to be instrumental. The idea was born by David himself with the encouragement of Alex Lifeson.
Sue – Is there more or less pressure to not have a singer? And why?
Sascha – Well there is certainly less pressure to conform to any preconceived notion of what the music should sound like. There is a greater pressure to ensure that the melody is strong enough to stand out without the use of a vocalist.
Sue – DB3 start the process of recording in 2010. Why the delay in releasing the self titled album until 2013?
Sascha – Well the research and development in 2010 with David and myself for a few months before we brought our bassist Jason into the fold and from that point on it was a matter of scheduling. We released an EP in 2011. We played many months worth of live shows to fine tune the material and then had the opportunity to work with Alan Parsons in 2012. By that time the full length debut album was pretty much complete. We had a few videos to shoot as well to help with the launch of the album. Then it was a matter of figuring out what date made most sense to release the album, as you don’t want to rush a good thing.
Sue – Alex Lifeson (Rush guitarist) produced your first album. Tell me about how the relationship between DB3 and Alex Lifeson was established?
Sascha – Alex has been kind enough to be involved throughout the band’s trajectory, always lending a critical ear and some fantastic ideas to the band and the compositions. He and I have known each other since my tenure in a pop band from the 80s and David has been friends with Alex since the early 90s.
Sue – You have produced the latest David Barrett trio II Cd and DVD called ” A Whisper to Thunder” How was that experience for you?
Sascha – The band as a whole produces the music. I only recorded, engineered and mixed both the live DVD and sophomore album. That was at Alex’s suggestion, which we feel was a good call this time around. I of course was thrilled to be given the opportunity and always embrace a challenge.
Sue – The launch of David Barrett Trio II was February 3rd, 2015. How has the new material been received?
Sascha – So far the launch has been going well and the response has been positive. We had a fantastic show at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre playing with Saga. The new album has been added on some college radio stations throughout Canada. We are supporting Marillion in Montreal April 26th at the Theatre Olympia during their 3 day festival. We have caught the ear of a respected New York radio promoter and so with some hard work and a little bit of luck we will get some radio time within the coming months. Web based radio in Europe has picked up the album as well as CBC here is Canada. We are on Spotify and all the major streaming services and that helps in spreading the word.
Sue – What is the RocketHub campaign? Can you give me a brief overview as to how it benefited DB3?
Sascha – RocketHub is one of several “crowdfunding” vehicles that exists today and allows fans and supporters of the band to get involved directly with the trio in various aspects of the group – recording, album completion, manufacturing, touring, videos and such. In return for their benevolence we offer (among other things) private lessons, recording a song with the group, advance copies of the album and inclusion in the credits. We are building a support network as well as a fan base and are very greatful to all of our campaign “fuelers”
Sue – Do you feel DB3 has received the recognition you’ve deserved?
Sascha – We have been blessed with support and recognition from tastemakers, gear manufactuers and people like yourself who are taking the time to listen to what it is we as a group create. That is encouraging. The online support is strong and growing daily. The fact that we have mountains to climb is a challenge we are embracing wholeheartedly.
Sue – Who are your core fan base?
Sascha – Besides our families? Well, we have a broad spectrum of fans – our sales are throughout North and South America, Europe and Japan. Our online/streaming listenership is truly international. The “gearheads” like us because of our attention to detail in the sound department and of course we have a large RUSH demographic because of the association.
Sue – Is there anything you’d like to share with us that we haven’t covered?
Sascha – We need your help in championing DB3 to make us part of the great Cruise to the Edge event, please click LIKE on our facebook page and leave a convincing plea explaining why we should be added! We’d also like to ask our fans to champion everyone’s local radio station to play DB3. Also support live music and come see us play.
For more information on David Barrett Trio (DB3) please visit:
Website: http://www.davidbarretttrio.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dbtrio
Cruise to the Edge event support of DB3: https://www.facebook.com/DB3forCTTE
Written by Sue Sadzak
Photo credit: Paul Reid (HotHouse Creative Inc)
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