Artist Interview: Cardiknox is A Pop Duo of Joy
If you haven’t heard of Cardiknox yet than trust me when I say, “You Will!”. Thomas Dutton and Lonnie Angle’s rise in the electro-pop scene seems almost fated, which we discuss. More importantly, their debut album, Portrait, is released today, of which I have also reviewed. Their album tells the stories of their lives over synthetic beats that dare everyone not to dance. Hence, it is fascinating to speak with these stars on the rise and hear how their creativity flowed from musical theater into the pop-dance scene.
Diandra: You are touring with Carly Rae Jepsen, Your debut Album, Portrait, premieres tomorrow. You’ve signed with one of the biggest record labels. What is going on in your mind with all these things that are happening to you?
Lonnie: We’re certainly excited for the album to be coming out. It’s been super thrilling to be out on the road with Carly, who is a sweetheart, and always has an amazing crowd. I guess, in our mind, it is just about being one foot in front of the other. We know it is all about the work, and we are insanely grateful that we get to do what we love professionally. Everyday is a new adventure and a challenge, but we are always excited to continue learning and growing.
Lonnie: Wow, that is a big question. My first thought to that is a quote from my grandpa, “The harder I work, the luckier I get”. It is about luck, circumstance, and right timing, but, underneath it all, there is a hustle. For every five no’s, there will be a yes, and you have to remain confident in yourself. Every artist, that wants big things for themselves, believes they are supposed to be doing this. They feel like it is their fate to be making music and connecting with people, and every moment is just a beginning.
Diandra: How would you define success in the music world?
Thomas: I think there are a lot of ways to define success. We’ve already played some dream shows like a festival called Sasquatch where got to play at The Gorge, which is near our hometown. We have a sold out concert at Terminal 5 coming up. I think, ultimately, if we can play to people for a living and live somewhat comfortable lives than that is success.
Lonnie: Yeah, I think being a musician in demand, whatever that means, is success. That meaning can change over time like, writing for other artists or still performing, but the goal is to be in demand.
Diandra: Every artist and performer can get in their own head before a performance. Do you have any performance pre-rituals to get into that headspace?
Lonnie: I love performing, but I am also terrified of it. It is almost a nightly routine to get nervous before we play. So, I think getting suited up before I hit the stage is like me getting into character. I listen to “pump up” music and do jumping jacks to get into that headspace, and I drink a whiskey neat for some liquid courage. Than, the second I leave that stage, I’m ready to do it all over again (she laughs).
Diandra: Cardiknox is, ultimately, a partnership, and everyone knows that a partner can encourage you and push your buttons. So tell me what is funniest and the most annoying thing one does to the other?
They both pensively giggle.
Thomas: Lonnie is a rule- follower, which is the funniest and the most annoying thing. Like, she does not want to walk outside the crosswalk, which is funny to me because she thinks she will get in trouble for the most insignificant thing. Yet, it is also a good balance because I end up coloring out of the lines more than I should. So, she keeps me in check.
Lonnie: I have to keep thinking. I want something good. (Note: she never answered.)
Diandra: Are there ever any moments where you guys disagree on a sound or a lyric, and how do you get over that?
Thomas: Um, I think it’s interesting because I think when the other pushes back on a lyric or a sound and you are forced to defend it, you really see whether or not it’s worth it to you. Yet, for the most part, we pretty much balance each other out and are usually on the same page. If the other is passionate about something, we usually try to find a way to work it out.
Diandra: What was your “AHA” moment, where you looked at each other and said, “We have something here and we should form a pop band?
Thomas: Yeah, there was a moment, actually. I had been in bands all my life, and I was making a rock musical album. I was recording at a studio and Lonnie, whom has a background in theater, came to work and sort of mess around to record a few songs acoustically. I had always recorded a Christmas cover right around Christmas time, and I asked her if she would cover a song with me. We did Darlene Love’s Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home), and there was something magical about her voice on that song. I said, “Damn, there is something here. There is something we need to keep exploring that is special.”
Diandra: You guys write your own music. What do you do or whom do you turn to that immediately gives you inspiration?
Lonnie: I turn to Thomas. I have never met anyone more brilliant that pushes me more and is constantly inspired. He is the type of person that is always learning and is always interested, which is why our collaborations have worked so well for so long.
Thomas: I turn to my younger brother whom is an incredible musician. He is just way beyond me in terms of theory and cool chord progressions. So, anytime I want to find out new ways to do the chord progressions of pop songs, I call him.
Diandra: You guys are doing electro pop, which is a genre that people can look down upon and say doesn’t have soul or heart. What do you say to those people?
Lonnie: Right. I think that what Thomas and I are really proud of with this album is that its pop music, but its our story. We were really deliberate to have our lyrics be true to our stories, and we find that to be such a more powerful way for songwriting. I think a lot of times, in pop music, people don’t know whether you wrote the song or if it was co-written, which can make it feel empty or void of emotion. Yet, I would challenge anyone, who questions the authenticity or depth of our style of music, to listen to our album. We told our experiences through song and, for that reason, we are proud of it and hope it connects to people more powerfully.
Diandra: I was reading that you have a sincere admiration for strong front- women. As a front-woman, what impression do you want the audience to walk away with of your performance?
Lonnie: Holy S**t! That is what I want them to say. I just keep on going back to the word “strong”. I love having the opportunity to empower women. When I come off stage, I am told by the women in the audience how I gave them confidence in their bodies through my performance or how our song helped them through a breakup. So I want people to come to our performance and feel like we are giving them strength and energy.
Diandra: How about you Thomas? What impression do you want to leave on the audience?
Thomas: One of my favorite things about music is that you could be sitting alone on a train or bus or on your way to work and have this one on one conversation with a song. And I want people to walk out of our performances and want to have that one on one conversation with our music. Because for me, as a music listener, even after I am moved by a live performance, I go out to listen to that person’s records by myself, and I think that is so powerful.
Diandra: If you could go back in time and meet your 12 year old self, what advice or hope would you give them?
Thomas: I would go back in time and tell him to focus on becoming a better musician and practice more and stop playing video games. Yet, I feel if you tell a kid that they will probably do the opposite. Like, when your parents tell you to take piano lessons and it becomes the last thing you want to do. Growing up. I wanted to dabble in everything. I wanted to be a soccer player. I wanted to be a graphic designer. So maybe, I would just say, “You are going to be a musician. That is your career path.”
Lonnie: Yeah, I stopped playing piano when I was 16, and I would probably go back in time, and tell myself to continue training. I would say, “It is going to mean something beyond what you imagine!” But, it is a weird thing because if I had continued playing piano how would that have changed the path of my history? Would I even be the musician I am today?
Diandra: Lastly, what is the most embarrassing song/guilty pleasure you have on your playlist?
Lonnie: Brittany Spears, “Work, B**ch.” It’s kind of embarrassing, but it is such a good workout song.
Thomas: I don’t know if I have anything I feel guilty about. I have a lot of corny 80’s and 90’s music. Amy Grant? I guess. But, I do not know if I feel bad about it.
Lonnie: (jokingly) You think too highly of your playlist.
Please check out Cardiknox’s new album: Portrait. Or, go see their show on March 25 at Terminal 5. Trust me, they really are the great energy they wish to be.
