Coming off the release of their first single with select fans getting their hands on the select newly minted USB dog tags that featured all 6 songs from their forthcoming EP along with bonus material, lyrics, and album artwork – Disco/Symphonic Metal band Makes My Blood Dance is getting ready to deliver even more! As they continue to add new live shows throughout the Northeastern U.S., the band just released their new “Beaming Right Up” Music Video!
“Beaming Right Up” is the first of SIX new singles to be released by the band, mixed by Dave Ogilvie (Tool, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie), produced by Kallie Marie (Explosives For Her Majesty, rainMKERS), recorded and engineered with Paul Ritchie (Parlor Mob). The high-octane hit features powerhouse vocals laced melodically through their signature disco metal groove with masterful guitar work. The vibe is Saturday night fever meets guitar hero 2099.
Makes My Blood Dance is the latest and greatest new band to come out of Brooklyn, NY’s ever burgeoning music scene. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist/frontman Evan Russell Saffer (Fixer, ERS, RainMKERS) and the guru of technical/witch of the west/guitarist/programmer John Polimeni (Proxima Control) MMBD started taking shape in late 2017. Through patience and determination they began working out arrangements and adding lyrics and melodies as the new music began to flow naturally. Adding a whole new roster of talented musicians, they built the beast one by one enlisting Alex “Mother Russia” Nikitin (Bass) and finally landed Carlos “CK1” Gordillo (Drums) after hiring several fill-in drummers along the way. “John and I knew we had something special and took our time until the family felt complete. I feel lucky to play with these guys” ~ Evan Russell Saffer
Already garnering tons of praise from their masterful live performances, they’ve recently been featured in New Jersey’s The Aquarian with Saffer speaking on everything from the band’s influences to specific tracks on the forthcoming EP.
Check out the band’s latest single Beaming Right Up below!
We caught up with John Polimeni (lead guitar) and Evan Russell Saffer (frontman) of Makes My Blood Dance as they talked about their latest single and more!
How has the release of Beaming Right Up gone down so far?
John: The video release has been met with ecstatic reviews from all my friends, fans, and internet followers I barely know. I’ve never had so much feedback. I’m learning about people’s innermost personalities with all this interaction.
Evan: Exceeding expectations. I shouldn’t say that, we are big dreamers so I guess it’s limitless, however, we are very grateful for the excellent quality of the video, and the traction it’s getting. Lots of placements, views, comments, all that jazz. It sort of created a bug in me as well, like, we can do this! Ok, lets do another one!
Can you tell something about the single no one else knows?
John: This single began as an experimental instrumental trance beat/rock fusion song I created on my laptop late one weeknight, long ago. All the songs sort of started like this, meticulously programmed to the last note. The same parts are still there, but obviously with added vocals and rocked up.
Evan: Lyrically it came from a place of healing, a place that says no matter what’s going down in life you can get where you want to be and where you deserve to be. I wrote all of this record in a period of my life where I felt like someone new. Im three years sober since May 31 of this year and it’s about getting where you want to be by channeling something pure. I’m a very spiritual person and I’ve always been a seeker, but I was clouded and blocked for a long time by things I thought made me feel good. Ultimately only you can make you feel good and that’s very humbling and takes a lot work. Now I feel like MMBD has a purpose in my life and the lives of all those we can influence, we’re healers, prophets and it’s as much for us as it is for anyone who gets our vibe.
Will you be releasing even more music soon?
John: Yes, there won’t be a quiet moment from us.
Evan: This record has 6 singles which we are releasing one at a time with videos. We are currently filming the video for second single Sick As Our Secrets which has an incredible concept behind the song……I’ll get into that in our next interview…..smirking.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
John: Probably Gojira, I’ve been following them lately and admire their precision and wisdom.
Evan: Rammstein. We all love them and love what they are doing for a long time now. They have such incredible groove, great hooks, amazing production and power. I also like that they are over the top and really seem to be free of a lot of the things that cripple many artists. Making art and your level of fear go hand in hand. How much time does your art deserve? How much money? Is it good enough? That’s all fear and the mind taking you away from the actual making of the art and experiencing it. I’m very conscious now and even though I still have fear from time to time, I’m aware of it, I can see it and I can transcend it. “These are not the droids you’re looking for” <>.
You have a few shows coming up, is there any venue that catches your eye?
John: Brooklyn Bazaar July 12! I’ve never been there, but from online videos and photos it looks an energized far-out place.
Evan: I really love the process of touring, discovering a new town or city, the venue, and most of all the people there. We are playing Cherry Street Station in Connecticut this Friday…..first time for us but I’ve heard great things. We have 2 big shows coming up in Queens on June 13 at Blackthorn 51 and then later on July 12 at Brooklyn Bazaar in Greenpoint Brooklyn. Brooklyn Bazaar is a real festival type vibe with vendors selling their gypsy wares and food trucks and I just love that kind of “everyone in” type of gathering. I’m picturing it like Burning Man only with clothes on.
Would you ever want to tour the UK/Europe one day?
John: Yes, I feel that our sound would go over well there.
Evan: Of course! Our band is very international. I speak French, John is from an ancient civilization in South America, Alex from Russia and likes Italian food, and Carlos has Mexican roots. I also have very strong ties to Hungary which has a special place in my heart. To answer your question, yes, we are open to Europe. Our music is starting to sprout some wings and we’ll see how far it takes us.
What’s the alternative scene like in Brooklyn at the moment?
John : To be honest I’ve been more connected to the metal scene in New York, which has been booming since 2014. The last alternative rock act I saw was Slaves. It seems the trending acts are geared to incorporating an urban sound an aesthetic. I’m looking forward to connecting to that more.
Evan: Everyone wants the same thing, to connect and to be loved, to rock and roll. However, it takes a lot of discipline to get there and we’re forming great alliances with like minded bands. When that happens you can always tell, the shows are packed, people love every band on the bill and it’s magick. As we continue to tour we’re finding those alliances more and more, not just in Brooklyn.
What do you all get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
John: There really isn’t spare time- the band is a 24-7 project, I’m writing this up now as the rest of the world sleeps. I spend time with my wife whenever we have a minute. Music IS my life, so when I’m not working on the band I’m playing piano, at a live show, finding new music.
Evan: Funny you ask because as the band gets more activated and popular it just starts taking over your life more and more and then you really discover if you want that. It’s one thing to imagine yourself as a rock star and another one to live that life. We are all very diversified in our work. I own and help run a cafe in Bushwick Brooklyn (www.kavebrooklyn.com) as well as work for an amazing design company as a controller (www.cl-oth.com). Carlos has his own business doing development and contract work, Alex is an electrical genius and loves children because he is one, and John is an electrical engineer. These skills come in handy in the band dynamic. We’re very technical and organized and that’s a huge part of keeping this train rolling, it’s no longer just being good at your instrument and writing and recording songs. We’re producing the videos, building the sets, running the merch, handling the accounting, coordinating fans and friends to each show, booking, touring, writing, recording, working out, staying healthy, meditating, celebrating and co-creating 24/7.
www.makesmyblooddance.com