Interview with Sorca McGrath from Dakota Floyd - Ohio's premier indie poppers
By Dave DiSanzo
http://www.indierec.com

Dakota Floyd (Sorca McGrath - Lead Vocals, Guitar; Gerry Porter - Drums; Bill Watterson - bass) have issued a three track cd and are currently working on their next release. The band have received a lot of positve reviews in the local press thanks to their music's catchy melodies and rocking presentation. If you are a fan of Heavenly, Julianna Hatfield, Sarah Records, or classic power pop in general, do yourself the favor and give them a listen. They have recently been nominated for the "Best Pop/Rock Band" award in the Cleveland Scene Music Awards. We dig their music too and wish them the best.

IR: How long have Dakota Floyd been together and where did the name come from?

SM: We've been together for about 2 and a half years, kinda by accident. Bill had booked three shows in and around the Cleveland area for his previous band, but the singer bailed on him two weeks before the gigs. We threw something together to fill in the spot and keep the venues happy and we called it Dakota Floyd. Dakota Floyd is/was a girl that Bill went to kindergarten with. He had always remembered the name and figured he would use it as a character in one of his screen plays, but then it seemed to be a good fit for a band fronted by a girl.

IR: What are your musical influences?

SM: We all have completely different musical tastes. Between the three of us we cover quite a broad spectrum. To completely generalize (but it'll give you an idea); Gerry likes a lot of jazzy shit, world music and Rush; Bill likes a lot of rootsy stuff, Sly and The Family Stone and The Clash; I like Hank Williams, The Beach Boys, The Pixies and pretty much anything I can sing along to.

IR: What goals do you have for your music?

SM: We all love to tour and record. If we could do that all year round and not have to sell our bodies on the street to pay the rent, that would be sweet(ha!).

IR: I noticed quite a lot of local press write-ups and reviews on the band, how do you go about getting the band attention in the press?

SM: Selling our bodies on the street to pay the rent has certainly turned some heads, but mostly we've just been good at sending out press packs and keeping people informed on what we're doing. We've never been afraid to exploit Gerry's hot bod either, that always helps.

IR: Have you spent any time and money with indie promo services and if so, did you find it rewarding?

SM: We have spent time and money on advertising in national and local Zines, etc., and I think it has been good on a small scale. I'll get regular e-mails from random people around the country wanting to be on the e-mail list or asking when we're coming through their town, but I don't think it's going to get the attention of anyone who could help us advance our career, record companies or booking agents. There is just too much good music out there on an independent level for a spot in a local zine to make a difference. There are lots of Internet services too, for bands who just want to make their music/press packs more easily available. They all charge some form of fee or membership and we've never felt it was a priority because we have our own site where they can get all of that. If you don't have a web site for your band I'd say they could serve a great purpose.

IR: What are your plans for expanding your fan base geographically?

SM: Touring, touring, touring. We're going over to Ireland and England in July to play some shows and hopefully that will lead to some future European interest. Over here we've hit a lot of east coast cities and will keep doing that until we explode or die from eating Hardees burgers.

IR: What do you feel the music industry has to do in order to keep up with the growing number of talented artist who don't get a chance because there just isn't enough time (especially since the major radio stations are so tightly formatted and playlisted)?

SM: I think, sadly, that the music industry (i.e., the people with the money, power and investments) don't really give a crap that there might be lots of super talented musicians not getting a chance. The industry hasn't been about talent in a long time. National radio stations are a joke, it's just legalized payola, and the listeners and artists all suffer. I guess that means I don't know what we need to do! I'll get back to you on that one.

IR: How do you feel about free digital downloading?

SM: I think if it's done in moderation, it could be a great tool for independent artists to get their music heard. It needs to have boundaries though. I'd be happy if a kid took a sample from my upcoming record, say; downloaded two songs, liked it, and then went out and bought the record. But if the whole thing is available for download, what's his incentive for buying it? That's where it can really suck.

IR: Would you rather be inked up with a small independent label that could seccessfully bring your music to the attention of a smaller group of like-minded listeners or play the wheel of fortune with a major entity such as EMI?

SM: I guess at this stage I would be happy with either because I don't think there are any guarantees. If the contract looked decent and allowed the band to tour and record it could only make things easier compared to what we're doing now; organizing everything ourselves from booking, to renting vans and trying to come up with the money to do it. We'd be happy with some help from anyone.

IR: Any other thoughts, opinions or feelings about the biz of music in general?

SM: I think I've said enough, don't you?

IR: Thanks a lot, we look forward to the next release and congratulations once again on your nomination.

SM: Thank you, Sorca xxxx