The hard rock band DED is gearing up to release its second studio album, sometime in the near future. The album, produced by Kevin Churko (Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Ozzy Osbourne) features “A Mannequin Idol” – The records first single. The track is accompanied with a music video that highlights the band performing the song. The members of DED put their high energy stage show on display in this performance video that was wonderfully directed by celebrated video director Marc Klasfeld.
I caught up with Joe Cotela – singer and lyricist of the song A Mannequin Idol. He talked to me about the meaning behind the track. Joe tells Sound Vapors, “It’s a song about questioning what we follow, what we support and what we identify with. Questioning who we are and do we challenge ourselves and that’s kind of the thing.. I’m hoping to make people question what they support, what they consume on a daily basis whether they think about it or not.”
Joe continues, “I know we get stuck in our daily lives and just be on auto-pilot. I guess that’s one of the main themes I’m always interested in is challenging people and for all of us to challenge ourselves to become the best versions of ourselves that is possible. Through frustration and through great suffering comes clarity. That’s been a huge thing in my life and can imagine a lot of people can identify with that, in a sense. That’s what the song’s about and I think it’s the perfect time, in a way for it, because everybody is forced to take a step back from their lives, from the hustle and bustle and slow down and we’ve had the time to reflect on things.”
I couldn’t agree more with Joe’s take on this. It really does seem like the perfect time to think about these things and nearly everyone has had the chance to reflect on many facets of their lives during this COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine that followed the spread of illness. Hopefully, there can be positive steps to be taken when the effects of the coronavirus slows down. Sometimes it starts with words or a song.
We talked about the songwriting and recording process and I wondered what the working environment was like while working with producer, Kevin Churko. Joe tells me, “He’s the coolest guy. Real laid back but also very passionate. Allows us to be ourselves and encourages us to be ourselves. He really pulls a lot of things out of you that you didn’t know you had and that’s always a great thing, in my opinion. He’s just a genius with notes and musicality and like, he can do things that we can’t do. He’s just got the mind for it. He was made to do this. He’s been playing music his whole life. He’s made such amazing albums and it’s an honor to work with him and it’s and honor to know him. He’s just a great person. A great human. We just have the best time.”
I told Joe that it really does seems like a perfect partnership. I am highly anticipating the full DED album and am excited to hear what these individuals have come up with in the studio. Based on the two songs we have heard so far, A Mannequin Idol and Eyes Sewn Shut, I would say we are in store for an absolute banger when it gets released.
You can hear my entire conversation with Joe by clicking on the link to your favorite place to listen to podcasts or by watching the video version on YouTube (below).
-Tommy Marz
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