The Rhythm Pilots – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

The Rhythm Pilots – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

We connected with Patrick DiMascio, band leader of The Rhythm Pilots. This is what he had to say.

RRX: Music genres are difficult for some artists. Some strictly adhere; others not so much. What is your perspective on the genre you play, or the genres you hover around?

PD: The Rhythm Pilots are thrilled to specialize in dance music, with a particular focus on disco. Over the past four years, we have been at the forefront of setting new trends in the local music scene by being one of the first bands to dedicate ourselves solely to disco. We have truly unlocked the treasure trove of the late 1970s to early 1980s dance and disco era. In addition to our classic repertoire, the band also performs newer dance tunes from the 90s to today. The Rhythm Pilots bring the infectious energy and groovy beats of disco to the dance floor at every show!

RRX: It’s a lot of fun living in the present, but we all collect memories and give birth to dreams. We’re talking dreams here. Where you see yourself next year? In the next five years?

PD: The Rhythm Pilots are excited and fully prepared to tackle bigger events across the Northeast! As a multi-regional dance band, we are raising the bar and aiming to perform in major metropolitan areas like Atlantic City, Boston, and Philly. In the next 5 years, we envision our growth continuing and expanding our reach to top casinos and clubs throughout the entire Northeast Corridor. Get ready for an electrifying journey with The Rhythm Pilots!

RRX: Stereotypes are a bitch. I mean, aside from the really bad ones, you have cultural stereotypes about everything, including music.  Would do you think is the stereotype for the music you play, and how far are you away from it?

PD: We embrace the StereoType and strive to make it our own. Performing disco correctly is actually quite challenging, but when done authentically and with precision, the feeling of joy and satisfaction is unparalleled. Let’s conquer the disco scene and revel in the accomplishment!

RRX: Our style comes from the extension of our influences. It’s like an evolution. We’re influenced, and it inspires us to influence. What can you say about your influences, and what you feel you’ve done with their influence as a musician or band? Have you extended their work?

PD: We are thrilled to ensure that we nail down the parts, sounds, and performance with utmost authenticity. Some have even claimed that we outshine the original artists in our renditions, and we consider it a great honor to do justice to their work.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

PD: This topic is absolutely massive for us! The dedication and hard work put in by our band members to learn their parts and bring their A-game has truly propelled us to where we are today in just 4 short years. Our band manager and performer, Patrick, not only handles the sound for our performances at local shows, but also takes care of recording, filming, and managing all of our promotions and advertisements. Kevin, Dennis, John, and Antoinette in the band also play a crucial role in assisting with promotional work and managing our social media presence.

A massive shoutout is in order for all the incredible engineers and mixers who have helped us along the way, such as Frank from Willis Digital Sound and the talented engineers at Turning Stone. These individuals are the true professionals who make us shine even brighter on stage!

RRX: Sometimes you gotta go on the road. Miles can build up, and it can stretch the comfort level of any travelling act. What do you bring on a road trip, or tour? What will you forget to bring?

PD: During our exciting tour across New York State, spanning over 500 miles from the capital region, we encountered some unexpected challenges. We forgot essential items such as stools to sit on, power cords for instruments, stands, poles for signs, and even once arrived at a show expecting a drum set that wasn’t there. But fear not, we are resourceful and managed to borrow the drum from the engineer just in time for the show! Despite these minor setbacks, our passion for music and dedication to our craft shines through in every performance. The thrill of being on tour and sharing our music with audiences across the state keeps us motivated and energized. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with fans and showcase our talent, no matter what obstacles come our way.

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