What is your name?
Dallas Cosmas. No Gemma, it is not a stage name.
What is your genre of music?
I find labels are too narrow. I have always gravitated towards music that speaks from the heart, whether it be in the form of classic pop to cinematic soundscapes.
Give us a little bio about you.
My family tree spread wide musical branches which fired my imagination from earliest memory and later provided shelter and solace during those difficult teen years. It lead me to great musicians who became great friends playing in many, many bands on the Australian scene.
Session work gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the recording world. Production work followed & I set up my own boutique label, Prototype Musique.
Tell us more about your music.
Well, Lou Reed said “There’s a reason a three-minute song can devastate you, or make you get up and dance” .
I believe it, because at its very best it touches something deep, indescribable, outside of time. I aim for that in song even if I rarely hit the mark, but it keeps me searching for that enigmatic thing. For me it’s a reflection of how we walk through this life.
Tell us more about your new single ‘The Midnight Road’.
Midnight can be thought of as the end of something. But it’s also a beginning. It’s kind of a travel diary of those you witness on different paths. Some by choice, some not. We all make choices.
What was the writing process like?
When I had the initial idea, I ran it past my long time co-conspirator Simon Segal who immediately understood where it could go which encouraged me to continue. Once it was kick started it took momentum of its own and I thought it was finished on a couple of occasions and then more verses were coming. I think at one stage it had 7 or 8 verses.
What was the recording process like?
From the first full run through with the great Paul Richards on drums, he was already taking it somewhere I couldn’t have imagined which is always a good sign when those around you hear a bigger potential.
By the time Wally came up with that guitar hook with Wayne tappig his fingers, everybody around the studio kept thinking this was the single. (Wally Hite Rankin contributed guitar & backing vocals, Wayne Rintoul engineered).
This is the first single from your new album ‘The Memory Keys’, Tell us more about that.
We lost a very dear, old friend of ours suddenly and I felt the need to call in our circle of friends and work through that difficult loss. I needed to figure out what and who got me to this point? The Memory Keys is very much an exploration of that through the music and how perceptions are altered down the passage of time. Everyone involved on this album have left a big mark on my life so it was very important to get their energy involved too. (other contributors included Evan Englezos – piano, Matthew Shadwick – guitar, Brother To The Birds – backing vocals & sonics).
How did you pick the tracks for the album.
My favourite albums are those that take you through a whole experience from start to end. For me, an album should set up the listener from one song to the next. The songs that didn’t make it simply didn’t fit into the bigger picture.
What else can we expect from you?
Right now I’m involved in a multi – project with Simon Segal producing (working title – The Urgency of Now) which brings together a whole bunch of writers from the broad musical spectrum on the local scene. The collaborations are taking it to places none of us would individually go which makes it a very interesting fusion of ideas. I’m also writing with Paris – based musician, Benjamin Charavner.
Are you a signed?
Self – signed.
Are you heading out on a tour of your own or have any gigs coming up?
The album has been well received in the northern hemsisphere. Coming from so far away, working on a relatively small scale it definitely reaffirms for me the power of music to reach out globally. And working closely with such a great bunch of musicians on such personally important music is a privilege. For the meantime, we’re concentrating on radio & occasional shows.
Who are your influences?
I do not know where to begin and end such a list, how about I simply tell you what I’ve been spinning on the turntable the past few days? Neil Finn, Carole King, George Harrison, David Bowie, Serge Gainsbourg.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’m attracted to discovering new approaches. Who knows? Shall we do this again in 5 years, Gemma?
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Tune in, dream.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
There’s a wonderful old art deco period theatre here in Melbourne, The Palais. Over the years I’ve witnessed some unforgettable performances there and a couple of years ago had opportunity to perform there myself. I could sense all the history rising up on that stage making it a mesmerizing experience.
Would you be up for collaborating with an unsigned artist or band? If so how can they contact you?
Totally. I have produced & released via Prototype Musique for a number of singer – songwriters. We are contactable via www.prototypemusique.com
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
If there was any moment of revelation for me, I do recall vividly the first time I heard Revolver on headphones. I was 14. It made such an impact that my motivations around writing and production were formed by that singular moment.
Where is your dream festival to perform?
Glastonbury, hello? Call me.
What made you go in to music?
Honestly Gemma, I don’t think I had a choice.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Find your own voice.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not just about the industry also just as an artist/band?
You have to find our own voice because ultimately that tells our own story. And if you really have something to say it will sustain you when it all seems difficult, but I believe one’s work can ultimately find its right place in the world.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Give Peace A Chance.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Lyrics, instrument, time, ouzo, my head
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Our label can be followed via twitter
