Daisy Chain – Thanks for Asking!

Daisy Chain – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

Speaking with Thomas Kita, Daisy Chain.

RRX: What was the very first reaction to your music, from the first person to ever hear so much as a practice jam or the demo of your first song?

TK: Not sure if this is a cop out answer but originally the daisy chain demos were just T on guitar and Chris on drums with no vocals and when I first heard those demos I was genuinely blown away and found myself constantly listening to them, both those guys are super talented and I knew at that moment I wanted to help out in any way possible!

RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?

TK: I admire my very talented and supportive friends who also make music in bands like Hidden Drive, Torpedo Lane, and the Glow! Also, all the familiar faces I see at shows and the people who run DIY venues so we can play, the community here is very awesome and I’m happy to be a part of it!

RRX: We have to play somewhere, and sometimes those places have more going for them than a stage and a power outlet. What is a memorable place you played, and bonus points if it’s not a well-known place.

TK: I would have say the Rat Den! It’s a house venue in Albany and we actually had our first there which was so much fun and we played there again recently and somehow it was even crazier?!! I just love how our music sounds in there!

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?

TK: I’d say the type of music we tend to hover around are skramz and math rock. My perspective on the respective genres is kaleidoscopic, I like to apply different lenses to the stranger parts of these genres that don’t get to shine enough. Whether that be leaning into a stronger dissonant melody or grinding to a halt to introduce a groove that feels so wrong and so right at the same time, we like to stay off the beaten path. That being said we also will pay the genres homage, throwing in distinct panic chords and chugs that hammer in that hardcore screamo sound. My mentality on genres in general is like a coloring book. The lines are optional.

RRX: With the exception of singing, everyone has an instrument, an inanimate
object that has the distinction of being a lifelong friend. Smooth or temperamental, these objects have a character. So pick someone to answer, can you tell us something
special about what you play, your technique, your instrument?

TK: The basis for my technique comes from the southwest. So far southwest actually that you end up in southern California. There are these two emo adjacent bands Vs Self and Gayt that introduced me to the idea of combining a guitar and bass part into one, and so for the latter half of 2025 I spent my time writing unconventional riffs that utilize the best of both worlds. My technique evolved and sprouted into something quite different than most guitarists, initially it was a very risky play making this type of music without a bass player, the thought of not sounding full enough danced around in my mind until our drummer Chris had an ingenious idea. He opted for splitting my signal into both a guitar and bass amp, which really fleshed out our sound and gave way for some very interesting tones and a strong live presence. As of today I am still learning new elements to bring to the table and I am so so excited for the future of our sound to evolve and grow beyond anything we originally thought was once out of reach.

RRX: We do this for the fans. For the blisters also, but mostly for the fans. Who’s one of your best fans? Without necessarily giving their name, what are they like?

TK: Rambunctious, fearless, incredible… all that and a heart of gold sprinkled on top, I could go on and on about them. One of my favorite things about the people who listen to our music is that they reflect our tenacity and love for the community. Playing at the amazing venues in our area and collaborating with the local bands to build unforgettable bills gives way for everybody involved to express themselves in such a phenomenal way. Whether we have an open floor or a cramped room almost immedietly people start thrashing each other around and become involved in the songs, seeing this firsthand really fills my heart with a lot of joy and makes me proud to be a part of the Albany scene. A fan of Daisy Chain is a friend of ours, we love talking to people during the show and meeting new faces.

Photo credit: Jalen from The Greenhouse

@greenhousealbany

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