Interview with Red VooDoo Vocalist Dino McCord

July 29, 2020

Interview with Red VooDoo Vocalist Dino McCord

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Dino! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

CV: What's it like being part of Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon's exclusive artist development label for the launch of the band's debut single, "Rise Up?" How does such an association work in the band’s favor as the new single releases?

Dino: The boys and I are very thankful to be a part of Frank’s exclusive production company. To have someone like Frank coach and take us under his wing is an honor. This partnership we have together works in our favor because not only does he work on the production side he really focuses on helping us musically with all his knowledge in his successful career.

CV: How do you feel Frank's years of experience have influenced Red VooDoo's development and songwriting exploits?

Dino: Since working with Frank and recording “Rise Up” the band has learned so much from Frank when it comes to song writing. I originally had the foundations of the song but when we went into pre-production Frank really showed us what it means to write a well developed song. We had all the parts…we just needed to build them. He told me during one of our sessions writing a song is like building a house, you have an idea then you get your measurements and build it from the ground up.

CV: Since collaborating with Frank, would you say his involvement with Red VooDoo has moved the band into directions not initially considered or explored?

Dino: Working with Frank has brought the band to a whole new level and direction. A year ago we were still a cover band playing bars and clubs around Nor Cal and now we are building our foundation as an original band. Now that we are a part of a professional production company owned by a guitar hero legend, it can’t get any better than that!

CV: Dino, what do you feel has been Frank's great contribution to the band thus far?
Dino: I feel like Frank’s biggest contribution to the band has been his knowledge of songwriting and knowing what makes a song grab people’s attention. We would not be relevant without Frank taking a chance on Red Voodoo. When I sent him “Rise Up” that morning he knew that it had the potential to be a great song. He was right. We have now had over 10k streams on Spotify and we hope for it to keep growing.

CV: Tell us a little about the new single? Was "Rise Up" a song written over the last several months of COVID lockdown and if so, does the song contain a message for listeners to reflect upon?

Dino: I wrote the lyrics for “Rise Up” when I was living in downtown Sacramento late April when we were in the midst of the Corona virus pandemic. I just had gotten news that my schools graduation was cancelled, things weren’t looking like they weren’t getting better any time soon and I just needed an escape. I took a drive that night and starting saying to myself “Come on man…you just got to rise up over all this, it’s going to get better.” That night I wrote down what I felt and those became the lyrics and the beginning of the song “Rise Up.” The song is inspired by what’s going on in the world but the message is universal. Whatever you are going through in life can be applied to the song. This is a song about hope and tenacity.

CV: Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to assist health care workers through the Direct Relief Organization. Is giving back to the community a practice the band considers to be an important part of connecting to their audience and beyond?

Dino: Yes, especially in these times when Health care workers are risking their lives to fight this pandemic…it only felt right that we wanted to give back to the heroes on the front lines.

CV: Prior to the pandemic restrictions put in place, Red VooDoo was regularly performing throughout the Northern California circuit. How has the band's focus shifted since performing live is not an option for at least the foreseeable future?

Dino: While live shows are being put on hold, the boys and I have been focusing on writing quality original songs. We have been working everyday collaborating at our rehearsal studio with Frank producing new music to follow “Rise Up.”

CV: Dino, is the band planning to pick up touring again come 2021, of course that's if restrictions are lifted and the music is set free?

Dino: Yes, we are itching to play! We hope to pick up a tour next year if restrictions are lifted but we know this only can happen through hard work, perseverance and dedication.

CV: With venues closed, artists and bands ordered to stay in place and live shows and tours canceled; do you feel the music industry as a whole will rebound after this shutdown? Does it have what it takes to rebuild itself?

Dino: Absolutely, music is a huge part of who we are as people. I’m optimistic the music industry will come back and be better than ever come 2021 when live shows are predicated to resume again. Music heals.

CV: What's next for Red VooDoo? What can we expect to see coming from the band in the second half of 2020?

Dino: We are currently working on a four song EP that will be released later this year. We are mainly focusing on making connections and building a grounded foundation for ourselves so when live shows are back again, we can go out on tour to support our original material!

CV: Thank you again Dino for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.

Check out Red VooDoo at:

Official: www.redvoodooband.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Redvoodooband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedVoodoo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Redvoodoomusic

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.