Evan Russell Saffer, Lead Singer of Makes My Blood Dance Weighs in on Style and More
Both metal and disco call for grand, theatrical gestures, big beats, outsized personalities, and plenty of musical and lyrical color. Fusions between aggressive rock and club music are infrequent, but when they’re created by visionary artists, the results can be explosive. Makes My Blood Danc
“Together Apart,” the latest single from the Brooklyn band, comes from the rougher end of their spectrum of sound. But no matter how much the six-strings squeal, they make sure every bar shakes and shimmies. The group’s unprecedented amalgam of symphonic metal, artful and ambitious pop, roughneck disco, and throwback classic rock has been fine-tuned and polished to complete seamlessness: these days, Makes My Blood Dance is better understood as a genre unto itself. If it’s impossible to tell where the hard rock ends and the dance music begins, that’s by design. They know that when the music is this good, the distinction is unimportant — and by the time “Together Apart” is done, they also know you’ll agree.
They’ve also got one other not-so-secret weapon. Raucous and reckless they are (it goes with the territory), but singer Evan Russell Saffer and guitarist John Polimeni are also expert melodists and compositional architects. Their songs are always impeccably built and constantly intriguing — they’re full of climaxes and releases and funny left turns. On “Together Apart,” there’s constant dialogue between Saffer’s vocal and Polimeni’s squalling guitar. A bridge melody becomes the basis of a guitar solo, which starts out lyrical and fluid and ends in a hailstorm of notes, and when Saffer re-enters, he sounds positively energized by his bandmate’s departures from expectation.
The “Together Apart” video is full of surprises, too. There’s plenty of footage of Makes My Blood Dance in action, and they demonstrate just how much heat they can bring to a performance. Guitarist John Polimeni rocks out on a Dean ML from Hell X-shaped guitar, with thunder and lightning drawn all over it – the same guitar that Dimebag Darrell from Pantera used to play. But they’re not always singing from stage: sometimes, they serenade the viewer from portraits on the wall of an Alice In Wonderland-like sitting room. And since this is Makes My Blood Dance, there’s plenty of choreography, too — energetic young women making their presence felt with deliciously provocative moves. And if you like knee-high socks on fetching girls, well, let’s just say you’re going to find this clip a repository of riches.
How do your Brooklyn roots shape your unique metal and disco style?
MMBD is a very worldly band. Our members are from all over the globe and our biggest influences are the artists that we admire. Brooklyn has been an incredible resource in the making of our music videos as far as the talent available for casting dancers and actors as well as the set and locations that we have found. Just so many incredible artistic visions that we were able to collaborate with. The most recent video for Together Apart was shot in the Love Shack which is located in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
How and when did the members of Makes My Blood Dance first unite to create the irresistible band fans love today?
The initial core of the band started with John and myself. I was in another project at the time but it wasn’t as active as I wanted and I started to look for other creatives to jam with. John had posted an ad on Craigslist looking for a singer and I went in to jam with his band. That first meeting really did not click musically but there was something that did click with me and John. He kept coming to my shows and kept persisting in us working together. Over time we became friends and I figured, let me dive in and see if this could work. I took his 14 minute prog metal creations and really had to cut it up to create a song that I was able to sing over. I come from more of a pop and musical theatre background but I love marriage to hard rock and metal. Our first song was Power of the Lightside. After that we figured out our method and we were off the races with more songs. We wound up retooling a brand new band, enlisted our first producer (Kallie Marie) and doors just kept opening.
What does the Makes My Blood Dance creative process look like?
It starts with John usually laying down a musical concept then pinging it over to me. I lay down vocals and begin working out the lyrics and ping it back. It goes like that for a while until we have something that is very fleshed out. Recently Allan (drummer) has been adding some programming in addition to his drums which has elevated our newer recordings. Dave Ogilvie (NIN, Skinny Puppy, Rob Zombie) mixed our last 2 records which includes Together Apart (which is out now) so he certainly helped cultivate our sound as well.
In what ways has the group’s approach to music making evolved over the course of five years making hit after hit together?
We have upgraded our knowledge and gear in recording remotely. We are more efficient than ever and also closer than ever despite physical distance because of the pandemic. We still rehearse weekly but most if not all of the recording process happens separately which I believe is healthy and has elevated our technique. John and I have an incredible work ethic and dynamic and there are many more songs to come in our future.
Where did you find inspiration for “Together Apart”?
Someplace deep in the heart where dreams and reality come together. That really came out in the music video where everyone on board, especially Ali Stevens (choreographer/dancer) really embraced that concept. Just pure confidence and commitment to being free and giving yourself to the song, the set, the music, the craft.
What is the overarching theme and message being portrayed in the song’s lyrics?
It’s about things that go together, that belong together, but perhaps it’s not so obvious. References to thunder and lightning, oil and vinegar, happy and crucified. That’s my perception which is not always the truth, it’s just that feeling of loneliness even though in reality you are not alone.
There is no denying the power of this track to make listeners want to sing and dance along. What components of the “Together Apart” instrumentals create this infectious, one of a kind sound that Makes My Blood Dance delivers in each and every release?
I’d say it’s everything. The guitar riff which is grooving leads to a drum line that lifts it higher. The melodies climb dynamically and do equal parts haunting, swinging, storytelling and exploding. That’s what makes it so amazing and also difficult to do, all those pieces work together……but apart……..evil grin.
What was your experience shooting the music video?
Oh man, pure ecstasy. I was so happy making that video it took me weeks to come down and then I was actually depressed and immediately started writing the follow up video treatment. I actually wrote another song based on the making of the Together Apart music video and dancing with Ali that’s called Dancing with an Angel. Look out for that one down the line, one of my favorites.
How does the visual tie into the aforementioned theme present in this catchy, captivating single?
I’m a huge fan of our whole team, hair by Saori Morris, makeup by Becca Paulette, and creative video by Rob Fitzgerald. Rob had the idea of shooting me narrating the video in the mirrors which I think lent itself to this dreamy sort of alternate reality environment. I did all the wardrobe selection, half way between cabaret and fetish with a little disco thrown in. Everyone worked together to make it gel.
What does the band have in store for its loyal following next?
The Lightning and Thunder tour is being announced shortly which will run from Austin, TX through the midwest and back to the Northeast. We’ll be heading out with tour mates Edge of Destiny and making appearances with other great bands along the way. Keep an eye on our website and socials for that announcement. Tour started Aug 17 and runs through Sept 3, 2022.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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