Interview with Guitarist DJ O'Sullivan of XIII Doors

January 05, 2024

Interview with Guitarist DJ O'Sullivan of XIII Doors

By Mick Michaels

The Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!

CV: Describe your definition of the band’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
DJ O’Sullivan: Thanks for having us! We’ve jokingly started describing ourselves as metal-pop. Musically I feel we’re pretty heavy but we have melodic, clean vocals. Band-wise, I think we fit somewhere in the realm of Alter Bridge and Alice in Chains, with some other influences thrown into the mix!

CV: Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how have you made the connection to your fans?
DOS: In today’s social media world it’s definitely easier to connect with fans! If you think back to the early 70s you think of mysterious figures like Jimmy Page, or Jimi Hendrix that you would only get a glimpse of either on a stage or in the odd interview…Nowadays artists like us are accessible online so connecting with fans is much more normal!

CV: Is fan interaction an important part of the band’s inner culture?
DOS: Definitely! Without fans we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing. We make the music, but the fans make it possible and we’re ever grateful for anyone that helps us on this journey.

CV: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
DOS: That’s an interesting question…I think in terms of our level of band it’s absolutely achievable. Not sure how viable that is for bands that play stadiums or arenas…I’m sure they have a much more difficult time trying to balance the two.

CV: Is music, and its value, viewed differently around the world in your opinion? If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
DOS: I think across the globe now music has become a free commodity…Nobody has to pay for it anymore and there are endless hours of amazing stuff out there. To be completely honest with you I’m not sure if it’s viewed differently across the world. I know in Ireland there’s still a great live scene for all genres of music. In India, Hindustani Classical is revered and highly respected, but I think in general across the world music is highly respected, but it is now free!

CV: Do you feel that a band that has an international appeal, will tend to connect more so to American audiences? Would they be more enticed or intrigued to see the band over indigenous acts because of the foreign flavor?
DOS: I do think we have international appeal! From viewing our Spotify metrics we do have listeners from all over the globe which is really humbling to see. Being Irish, I feel that American audiences will really warm to us! Some of the album tracks do have some ethnic and traditional elements which might intrigue people. We’ll have to wait and see.

CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?

DOS: It’s difficult to say. For sure, musicians are no longer just musicians anymore…you have to maintain a constant social media presence, keep on top of marketing, keep writing - and then you’ll see some 14 year old virtuoso on the internet that makes you want to quit! The playing field has definitely been leveled with digital technology which is a good and bad thing in my opinion. It gives everyone an equal opportunity, but it also means there’s much more “noise” so it’s harder to stand out.

CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and one who sets them?
DOS: I mean each route can be viable depending on one's goals. Personally, I’ve never been much of a trend follower…when I sit down to write, I just want to create the best art that I can, I’m not really concerned whether it’s trendy or not.

CV: Has music overall been splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole by dividing audiences?
DOS: I don’t think so…I think there is just so much more music around nowadays because of how easy it is to publish nowadays…us humans love categorizing products so I think sub-genre upon sub-genre get created because of this.

CV: What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
DOS: In 2024 we plan on releasing our debut album followed by lots of gigging! Keep an eye out on our social media for more info.

CV: Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
DOS: Thanks so much for having us!

Check out XIII Doors at:

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/XIIIDOORS

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xiiidoors

Official: https://www.xiiidoors.com/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, 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.