Connecting various types of art takes the most expressive turn when musicians get access to the right tools to picture their compositions, along with storytelling through lyrics, in the form of a music video. Darice M. Kannon however, aside of her musical interests and holding two degrees (in business and paralegal), also enjoys writing stories. She formed DMK and ventured deeper, to not only add visuals to her music but first and foremost, to illustrate her novel entitled Condemned (due to be published in 2016) with a matching soundtrack of her own making. This lead to releasing the "Going Under" single in early 2015 together with a supporting video.
DMK's musical inspirations range from electronic to guitar driven (e.g. Trent Reznor, Papa Roach, Bastille, Breaking Benjamin, Coldplay, Lacuna Coil) and such is her music. "Going Under" is split between two contrasting yet surprisingly matching styles. The song's core is built upon a variety of electronic beats found in techno, hip hop, and drum'n'bass, with their slow paced but obviously catchy dynamics. The vocals, on the other hand, come in a classical, operatic style.
Based in Los Angeles, Darice has been a professional vocalist and live performer across the country in cover and original groups between 1989 to 2005 - and her experience definitely shows. Her voice immediately grabs your attention - it's mature, crystal clear, with a thrilling timbre. She has great control of her vocal abilities - she can sail the waves of both high and low tones with cool professionalism.
This unusual mix of modern and symphonic attributes gives the song a theatrical feel and puts it a bit ahead of its time, perhaps. "Going Under" may either get your attention right away or grow on you with time, but it’s surely hard to dismiss or skip. Musical purists might be confused at first, but after a few listens, they will find it extremely memorable. In addition, the sound quality is very pleasing here. It often becomes a challenge for indie musicians to come up with high quality audio, so James Pequignot (involved with mastering) did a great service for DMK.
Darice definitely brings forth a novel sound here which should get her noticed in the sea of new bands. In fact, illustrating poetry, novels, and other works of creative writing with soundtracks may become a new music business model very soon. Not only would it be gratifying for musicians, but also engaging across three demographics - the listeners, the readers, and those who combine these inspiring activities, enriching their own artistic experience.
(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, November 3rd, 2015. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)
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Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine