Q&A

Who is filling out this survey?

Richie Tarver, lead guitarist for Rainbows Are Free.

Please name your band, its members' names and what they play.

Rainbows Are Free: Brandon Kistler-Vocals, Richie Tarver-Lead Guitar, Chad Hogue-Bass, Joey Powell-Rhythm Guitar, Justin Gallas-Drums

How would you describe your band's music?

Heavy classic rock/ proto-metal with moments of droney psychedelia and groove riffage. Also…very loud.

How did you learn about Dfest?

We were fortunate enough to play dfest last year, so its been on the radar.

Why did you apply for Dfest?

Because we knew we’d get the chance to delve into our more intimate decisions in print and on the webernet. But lets be honest, everybody can use a little more exposure from time to time.

What is the most fun thing about performing live?

It’s a toss-up between the cloud of pheromone infused man-musk we emit, or the legacy of broken equipment that we leave in our wake. I’d also like to point the scathing misuse of syntax in the phrasing of this question.

Have you performed at Dfest before? If so, what was your favorite part about it? If not, what are you most looking forward to?

Yes, we performed last year (see aforementioned response). Having people move heavy things for you is a plus. I’m looking forward to not playing on an outdoor stage this year and instead playing at The Flytrap, Friday July 24th at midnight sharp. That was a plug.

Will you be going to the music conference? If so, what are you most looking forward to?

The drummer does that, I know everything I need to know. Although I wonder what it would take to disrupt Andrew W.K.’s smug sense of enthusiasm? Perhaps a wine stain on his white on white uniform? I at least want him to tear a phone in half with an exuberant scissor kick. He still does that right? Isn’t he a republican?

What projects is your band currently working on?

We are in the middle of recording the follow up album to our debut EP released last year. We are lucky to get to record at Bell Labs (Trent Bell of Chainsaw Kittens fame) here in Norman, OK and are having a great time doing it. If things go well we’re hoping for an indie-indie label release as well this fall. Also…syntax.

How has the economy changed your band, touring, making music, etc.?

It has been challenging to see how many different vehicles we can take to drive the shortest distances. Our carbon footprint is huge.

As a musician, which three bands are you most looking forward to seeing at Dfest?

I’m gonna do you one better, I’m also going to tell you the 3 bands I’m not looking forward to seeing at Dfest. I’m going to answer like a musician per your request and say that my attendance will be based purely on their band photos which appear on the dfest.com website. Gogol Bordello, The Black Crows and Dub Trio. The bands I almost refuse to see based purely off pretensions; Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, Blue October and Citizen Cope. Seriously, just watch the little slideshow of the headliner photos on the load page of www.dfest.com, I dare you to disagree… .

Will you offer meet-and-greets after/before your shows? If so, when/where?

Doubletree in Downtown Tulsa off of 7th St. Room 131, circa 2 a.m.

What's the funniest/weirdest story you have about any song you've written?

Crystal Ball; Brandon (vocalist-lyricist) is really into divination and fortune telling and the like. I’ve walked in on him looking into the future with an actual crystal ball. Turns out Jesus is never coming back.

What can fans expect during your Dfest performance?

While refusing the temptation to be hyperbolic, I’d say that you will never in a hundred thousand million years see a band quite like ours. Our front man is a 7ft tall cyclone of impromptu destruction armed with lungs like superman and an embarrassing drinking problem. We’ll melt your faces with our volume, shred you like cheese with our guitars and petrify you to stone with our booming low end. Then we will press you with our unrelenting rational discourse and cause you to jettison your unkempt beliefs like Socrates addressing his adoring disciples! After all is said and done, we will have probably summoned up something from the deep. Also, something will probably be broken that we’ll have to pay for and the room will smell like funny smoke. But really, you shouldn’t miss it. We will be delivering a hell of a show for you special people of Kansas City.

How is Dfest different from any other show you do?

It’s a non-paying show for us.

Where would you like your band to be two years from today?

I want all members to have died in a terrible helicopter crash where everyone was severely dismembered. This way that we can be re-animated and put to work promoting our Rest In Pieces tour and finally get the recognition and wealth we so deserve. Get it, Rest in Pieces…it’s a play off words. Rest In Peace…you know like R.I.P.? They used to put that on old headstones? *sigh There’s so much pressure…

What's the coolest fact about your fans?

They are either old metal heads or young impressionable teenagers, both of which by prerequisite are poor so we’ll never see any real dividends to speak of. Actually that fact sort of makes it pointless to carry on. So yeah, cool fact.

What tips do you offer to "beat the heat" at this July festival?

Actually some sound advice would be to frequently wet a bandana with cool water and tie it loosely around your neck so that it cools the carotid arteries just under the skin and therefore cools the blood, and ideally your core temperature. You can keep that one.

What's the weirdest/quirkiest fact about any member of your band?

Joey (rhythm guitarist), our “special little guy” suffers from a compound retardation of the brain. It’s a medical condition that causes a small seepage of water to deposit just underneath the top center of the skull. He functions practically like a real 26 year old boy, so don’t you dare feel sorry for him.

It's your turn! Ask a question … and answer it!

What is your rate for interviews so we can cut you a fat delicious check courtesy of the Tulsa World Mr. Tarver? 150.00 dollars (check is fine), or for this to actually be read by someone. I’m thinking page 2, full page spread. That will suffice. Thank you for all of your many inquiries. Or how about a column in the Tulsa World where I discuss mundane issues with rapier wit and underserved cynicism. Sincerely thank you, Richie Tarver