The Diplomats of Solid Sound
Pravda Records
By Christopher Duda
(SugarBuzz Toronto)
SugarBuzz Magazine
Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this brand new beat
This here music mash up the nation
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your ma, tell your pa everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? Don't ignore it
Gonna be alright –The Clash
The Diplomats of Solid Sound bumptious outpouring emits sound waves of toothsome appeal. Even the naysayer will be up on his feet, shaking his ass and gyrating his spinal column to the “you will dance” dictations of the solid sound. To eschew their demands will merely amplify your true dullness. Mere mortals hear my plea; this is not some fugacious fleeting moment of sound but effulgent radiation for the 
soul.
1. How does this release differ from your previous releases?
We were looking to make a statement more lyrically then the last release and we wanted to explore some other musical styles and sounds.
2. Is it a rich musical scene in Iowa?
Iowa is known for it's roots music, folk, singer/songwriter stuff primarily, but of course there is Slipknot which is a whole other ball of wax!
3. Are there other bands from your immediate area that should be checked out or given a healthy nod to?
William Elliott Whitmore is known nationally and internationally, and Chicago has a few really great soul bands: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, and The Right Now are 2 acts that come to mind!
4. Who primarily influences your overall sound both past and present?
James Brown, Motown, Stax, soul-jazz in general...as for current acts you can't go wrong with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings!
5. What was it like working with Andre Williams and how did that collaboration come to fruition?
Kenn Goodman who runs Pravda with Matt Fazza got hooked up with Andre Williams sometime in the early 2000's and he was looking for a backup band for Andre and we jumped at the chance. You don't always get asked to play with a legend! Andre is a cool cat. Once we started doing the recording session with him you could tell he had been in the studio many times and had a vast amount of knowledge about vocal parts and arrangements. Really a fun time!
6. What would you consider your defining moment as a band so far?
Getting a record contract with Record Kicks in Italy and being able to go over to Europe and tour. Always a fun time and at the festival dates great crowds!
7. What past bands have members played in and do any members currently do side projects?
I was in The Bent Scepters who had some minor success in the late '90's. Nate our organ player currently lives in Austin, Texas and he is gigging with some pretty sharp players!
8. What plans are in place
for the US/Europe tour?
We have had some discussions about going to Italy and Spain again in the summer of 2011. Depends on various members schedules.
9. Besides the obvious influences of soul and funk what other musical genres influence The Diplomats of Solid Sound?
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones two vastly important musical groups in rock-n-roll history. Bob Dylan of course and then US Jazz, Afro-Beat, and Latin music.
10. Would there be anything you would change on your current release?
No you just record the best songs you have and try and make them sound the best you can. My thinking is you can always write another tune if the ones you put out don't stand the test of time! Just come up with another one!
11. What has the reaction been to this current release?
Reviews have been solid, sales are better than the last release, and, overall
we seem to have a lot more people pulling for us to succeed which is a good thing!
12. Do you have any interesting stories of being on the road? (Please note Sugarbuzz readers like stories full of debauchery, sex and sin!)
Well the European tours usually provide the most excitement. When we did a gig at Rimini in Italy men were throwing themselves at our female singers. The girls loved it a first and women as we know love attention, but it became rather intense and I had to step in a few times and remind the guy fans that these were ladies, not college age hookers. Some guys didn't take it so well, but when you have drunk so much Prezzeco (sp?) Champagne...everything seems shiny and fun! Also in 2007 we did an all-nighter event in Verona I think and I have to say that if any American thinks they can out party someone from Italy they are mistaken...I mean I was up till 6am in the morning and some of these blokes were going on till 9am. Incredible!
13. Would there be any current bands you would love to share a stage with?
Fitz & The Tantrums would be cool. The Sweet Divines would be great! Possibly Eli “Paperboy” Reed...we have played with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings twice, Melvin Sparks, James Taylor Quartet, New Mastersounds, Femi Kuti...we have played with many of the greats!
14. What are the next steps for The Diplomats?
To make another record and hopefully get some breaks so we can fulfill our destiny as one of the current soul band greats! Simple enough!
www.myspace.com/thediplomatsofsolidsound
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fAUGBsNiR0
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