David Poole and Dominic Peters unknowingly embarked on their musical careers at the young ages of about six, when Dave took up learning the violin and Dom learning to play the piano. Several years later, Dom and Dave figured out that Goldfish, their duo’s musical project was the stream they were meant to swim up. Dave laughed about it, saying, “I think around the teenage years, I think we all figured out that this is a great scam…and work sucks. Why would you ever want to work when you can do this?”
The two met at the University of Cape Town while studying in the jazz program. Dave was working on a master’s degree in jazz composition, while Dom was completing his bachelor’s degree in music. After discovering each others mutual interest in electronic music, they decided one day to work together, which led to many gigs that would help them pay their way through university. Dave explains, “It’s cool. It’s kind of like studying Shakespeare before you go to Hollywood. It’s good to go and learn that technique, even though it’s more than you need.” Dom adds, “Studying was a great way to make music without needing to make money…but music isn’t the kind of thing you can just study and then just find a job in. It doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to be living it. Your whole life’s has to revolve around music. You’ve got to eat, sleep, and breathe music.”
We caught up with the two at the Communion Music stage at the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan.
Rachel: Do you ever feel that you have to compromise your musical creativity because of the politics behind the music industry?
Dom: We’d probably get a lot further, a lot quicker, if we were like that. . But we can’t. We’re very specific about what we’re trying to put out and how we want people to experience our music…it’s always been about adding that human live element to dance music.
Dave: The music industry, in all facets, is so developed and there’s been so much water under the bridge, that, to do something slightly different isn’t that easy. It takes quite a lot of thought. Although we kind of stumbled upon the formula at first, by accident, to take it on and be able to give it longevity, you have to really work at it.
Dave: Not growing up in America, the whole jam band thing is pretty foreign to us even though we love it! The whole idea of jam bands is super rad and to be honest, Goldfish has a bit of that. Being a bit of a dance jam band has been cool. It’s also really amazing to see how funk is so well accepted in America.
Dom: There’s some guys that are huge here that the rest of the world may not be aware of. Lettuce is a perfect example. We’ve never heard of Lettuce and then we were like, “Oh! Ok. I get it now!”
R: Do you two find it difficult to eat healthy on the road?
Dom: Yeah, especially in the states. You’ve got great food, if you can find it. Basically it’s a survival tool. If you want to actually do this full time and tour like a mofo, you can’t party hard and you can’t do drugs. You’ve got to look after your body and your mind.
R: Do you guys have time to participate in the fit life?
Dave: We try to. We surf a lot. Dom’s got more boards than I do
Dom: I have a problem.
Dave: I also mountain bike. Where we live, there’s amazing mountains and cool shit you can do.
Dom: Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
R: Are you guys afraid of the dentist?
Dom: Only when the drugs don’t work.
Dave: When I was a kid, I was fucking terrified of the dentist. Luckily, I haven’t been to one for a while.. I should probably go. The sound of the drill gets me every time.
R: If you guys could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old selves?
Dom: It’s going to work out really well, don’t worry about it right now.
R: Any relationship advice to that 15-year-old you?
Dom: It’s going to work out really well, don’t worry about it right now [Laughs].
R: What are your favorite foods and/or snacks?
Dom: Sushi would probably be at the top of the list for me.
Dave: Snacking is bad, you should just snack on fruit and nuts. I like snacking on nuts.
R: What’s your favorite type of nut?
Dave: I was going to say Brazilian but uh…raw cashews.
R: So you like raw nuts?
Dave: That sounds so bad!
R: Do you two believe that Pluto should be a planet?
Dom: What do they define it as? As far as I was concerned, it’s a planet.
Dave: I thought Pluto was a dog…but really, it’s all semantics. I don’t think Pluto gives a shit.
R: If you could describe yourself in only three words, what would they be?
Dom: Generally hyperactive…but that’s only two words.
Dave: For me, it would be “Live life successfully”
Dom: Oh wait, here we go, “Avoid life’s bullshit.” Basically the yang of “Live life successfully”.
R: And for Goldfish?
Dom: Instruments and dance.
Photos Courtesy of B.a.D Photography
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This post, Goldfish Fuses Jazz, Electronic Music And Chill Cape Town Vibes, by Rachel Dorfner, appeared first on Galore.