What is your name and role within The Motet?
Dave Watts, drummer.
How did you start?
I started the group in 1998 as the Dave Watts Motet. The different members. have joined the group at various times throughout our career.
Where are you based?
Denver Colorado.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
One person will bring in an idea and we will play with it at rehearsal. We build the song adding melodies, horn lines, and arrangement ideas until it’s something we feel we can bring to our live show. Once it’s comfortable on stage we look at bringing it into the studio to record for our next release.
What are you working on right now?
We just finished a single called Supernova that we will be releasing on our next studio record: https://open.spotify.com/track/2vidqYZ37seENVZSqQXTsR
What is your gear setup?
I play a 4 piece Gretsch drumset with Bosphorus cymbals: 1 ride, 3 crashes, and 1 china.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
Living in Colorado we all like to get outside and into the mountains. It’s important for us to get into nature and recharge our batteries after the hectic touring schedule that we maintain.
How would you describe your music genre?
Funk.
Do you know any music theory?
yes.
What are your plans for the future?
To release an album every year so that we can constantly tour new music.
How did you get into music?
When I was 12 years old I wanted to play drums like Ringo Starr of the Beatles, so my parents bought me a drum set.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Brian Greene.
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Bob Marley, Prince, Stevie Wonder.
When are you playing next?
Disc Jam this Friday: http://www.discjammusicfestival.com
Featured Photo Credit: Emily Sevin
