Interview with KNIGHTWOLFS
We had a conversation with Elliott Dolcetti (Vocals/Guitar) & Johnny Stewart (Drums/Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about KNIGHTWOLFS (Members, Starting Year etc).
Elliott: KnightWolfs consists of Elliott Dolcetti (guitar, vocals), Johnny Stewart (drums, vocals), and Cam Labelle (bass, vocals). The band’s genesis was formed for our love of heavy metal and rock n’ roll. We started jamming together, blacked out, next thing we knew we were playing shows.
You have recently released your EP ''Blood Witch''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Elliott: So far the responses have been very positive! Bloodwitch was something we needed to get out of our systems. It’s a great start for us. Really looking forward to the next one!
Label or DIY and why?
Elliott: DIY. In 2024 there are so many more musical veins to incept. We choose the DIY approach at this time as we have creative control over every step of how we present ourselves and our music . At its very core, the ideals have not changed since the DIY movement in punk rock in the late 70s and early early 80s . The technology has changed but controlling destiny and its very core has always been the same .
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Elliott: We were asked to play a fundraiser for a family who lost their dad and needed help. When we started loading in our gear the bar manager started flipping out looking at our amps, telling us we can’t use them because the venue couldn’t be louder than 100 decibels. We made it through 2 songs when the owner came to us and offered a $400 bar tab to stop playing. Needless to say it turned out to be a bad night to be a beer!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Elliott: The right thing is always vinyl but to be honest with travel we consume a lot of digital
Your music style is Heavy/Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Elliott: Tribulation, Pentagram, Candlemass, Mercyful Fate, Motörhead, Nothing, Iron Maiden, Reversed.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Elliott: As long as you are happy and enjoying with what you are doing nothing should feel like a sacrifice. It seems more of a sacrifice to not follow things you are passionate about.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Johnny: When we’ve been practicing and playing shows you get into a rhythm where the songs become tight and effortless to play. Musicians out there know what I’m talking about. It just seems to flow your relaxed and an intern the audience picks up on that honest energy.
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy/Speed Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Johnny: Heavy metal or speed, metal bands to be unique should not worry about fitting into any specific genre. Write songs that you love that have influence from the bands that you grew up, listening to. Take bits and pieces of the best parts and make them your own. Play everything with veracity and integrity.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Johnny: Working with the various technologies that are available in 2024 our great if you know how to navigate through them. You can live in the most remote corners of the planet yet if you have a Wi-Fi connection, you could be exposed to any kind of music you choose to listen to. And if you create music by that standard, you can release your music for people in the world to listen to without ever having to tour or play a gig. Be able to promote yourself and not come across as pushy or cheesy is an art. You don’t need to have a corporate budget to present in a way that’s provocative and interesting.
Do you see any differences between the Canadian Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Johnny: As far as marketing touring and promotion goes, Europe is always been very strong in the metal scene. I’ve toured Europe, a couple times and the way bands are treated is far superior to how is treated in North America. Don’t get me wrong. They’re still amazing music venues in Canada and United States but you will do long drives receiving no food ,very little payment and no accommodation which makes it extraordinarily tough in today’s economy to survive on the road.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Vancouver, British Columbia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Johnny: Vancouver is always had a great history of supporting hard rock and heavy metal bands. With bands like Blasphemy, Witches Hammer,Stapling Young Lad, Bison, 3 Inches of blood, things have been great. There’s always new bands coming up that kick ass and there is online fan zines and support from the metal community.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Johnny: If I’m correct you’re referring to the Greek black metal scene. Rotting Christ is my personal favourite out of that scene.
The last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
Johnny: The world, regardless of a pandemic or not is in very turbulent times of uncertainty and flirting with atrocity and disaster. The music of Knightwolfs reflects those topics. It affected us in a positive way as it gave us a creative outlet during the lockdown and incredible focus for song direction and lyrics.
What are your future plans?
Johnny: Knightwolfs plans to record a full length album. We have all the songs just need to get into a studio and lay them down. We have a bunch of shows planned throughout the summer and fall and would like to head overseas for some touring. So if anybody wants to book us in Europe, please reach out to us directly. Thank you Knightwolfs
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
KNIGHTWOLFS CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/knightwolfs_band
https://knightwolfs1.bandcamp.com/track/bloodwitch
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0iev0dWCAeLpIxX8iNeC0F
https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/260174711