Dali Van Gogh is a four-piece Hard Rock band hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Originally formed in 2008, DVG took the Halifax music scene by storm with the release of their early 2012 EP Mask Identity and the follow-up Wild Blue City later that year. However, in late 2013, then-vocalist Marcel McNeil departed from the band, causing them to go on an indefinite hiatus until a replacement could be found. During that time, drummer Sean Sawler and bassist Scott Turnbull left the band to pursue other projects.
In 2015, a devastating House Fire destroyed Kent's home studio, prompting him to revive Dali Van Gogh. Recruiting a new line up of musicians, Dali Van Gogh released From Ashes in early 2017, going on tour across Canada that summer. After a second cross-country summer tour in 2018, keyboardist Devon Roberts and drummer Jaad Stewart departed to spend more time with their respective families, leading to the recruitment of Rachelle Moreau and Johnny Moore. On March 29th, 2019, the group released their second album, Under Her Spell.
In January 2020, Cyrus departed Dali Van Gogh to further pursue his solo career, leading Dali Van Gogh to bring in Lance Hicks. The band remained active throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, beginning an ambitious multimedia project called The Testimony, propelled by the single "Boneyard" and a virtual book on their website. In mid 2021, the band announced that longtime vocalist John Scotto was departing due to health concerns, and that co-lead vocalist and keyboardist Rachelle Moreau would be stepping up as lead vocalist.
Their official website can be found here
- The Unchained (Kent)
Principal Members (Founding members in bold, current members in italic):
- Shawn Bray - Lead Vocals (2008 - 2009)
- Lee Dauphinee - Rhythm Guitar (2008 - 2009)
- Lance Hicks - Bass Guitar, Back-up vocals (2020 - Present)
- Isaac Kent - Guitar, Back-up vocals (2008 - Present)
- Megan McKenzie - Bass (2008 - 2012)
- Callum McLeod - Bass (2015 - 2016)
- Marcel McNeil - Lead Vocals (2010 - 2013)
- Johnny Moore - Drums (2018 - Present)
- Rachelle Moreau - Keyboards, Back-up vocals (2019 - 2021), Keyboards, Lead vocals (2021 - Present)
- Jeff Parks - Rhythm Guitar (2010)
- Devon Roberts - Keyboards, Back-up vocals (2015 - 2018)
- Cyrus Robertson-Orkish - Bass, Back-up vocals (2016 - 2020)
- Sean Sawler - Drums (2012 - 2013)
- John Scotto - Lead Vocals (2016 - 2021)
- Nason Scribner - Drums (2008 - 2012)
- Jaad Stewart - Drums, Back-up vocals (2015 - 2018)
- Scott Turnbull - Bass (2012 - 2013)
Discography
- White Noise - 2009note
- Verbal Warning - 2010note
- Mask Identity - 2012
- Wild Blue City - 2012note
- From Ashes - 2017
- Under Her Spell - 2019
Dali Van Gogh provide examples of the following tropes:
- Arc Words: Given that From Ashes was written in the wake of a devastating House Fire, it's no surprise that fire is a reoccurring theme in the album, with direct references to ashes being made in "Outside Looking In" and "Sunshine."
- The Testimony era provides a lot of these, most notably the phrase "Open your eyes."
- All Are Equal in Death: "Grave Digger."
- Alternative Metal: Borders on this sometimes. "Sunshine," "Boneyard," and "Black Scales" are prime examples.
- Audience Participation Song: This is very much encouraged by the band at live shows.
- Break-Up Song: "Outside Looking In" and "Soul Food."
- The End of the World as We Know It: "Arms Race."
- Epic Rocking: "Wild Blue City" at 6:35. "Ships In The Night" clocks in at exactly 8:00.
- A Good Name for a Rock Band / Line-of-Sight Name: Allegedly, the band was named because of a set of Vincent van Gogh and Salvador Dalí paintings that were hung in the original jam room.
- Call-Back: The Preacher, a reoccurring character in The Testimony was mentioned in Black Scales and heard on Fear, both from 2017's From Ashes.
- Hail to the Thief: "Black Scales" and "Boot On Your Neck."
- Hard Rock
- House Fire: A devastating one burned down Kent's home and recording studio and prompted the band's return from hiatus.
- I Am the Band: Isaac Kent is the only founding member left in the band.
- In the Style of: "When I Go" is the band's self-proclaimed love letter to Pearl Jam.
- Intercourse with You: "Crooked Little Whore."
- Longest Song Goes Last: "Ships In The Night" closes Under Her Spell and lasts 8:00.
- Lyrical Cold Open: Used quite a few times in the Wild Blue era, specifically on "Weight of The World," "Messin' Up," "Sober," and "The Demon." note More recently used in "Down At The Hitching Line" from Under Her Spell.
- Metal Scream: A few of them here and there. Most notable in "Wild Blue City," "When Will," and "Black Scales."
- Ode to Sobriety: "Sober."
- Power Ballad: They have a few of them. "Understand" and "Sober" from the Wild Blue era, "Torn To Pieces" from the From Ashes era, and "Outlaw's Son," "Long Way From Heaven," and arguably "When I Go" from Under Her Spell.
- Protest Song: "Stand Up, Wake Up."
- Sanity Slippage Song: "Dark Passenger" and "Sunshine."
- Sinister Minister: The Preacher, a central character in The Testimony.
- Step Up to the Microphone: Former bassist Cyrus Robertson-Orkish sings lead vocals on "Arms Race."
- Super Group: The From Ashes era lineup can be seen as this, considering every member was a veteran of the Halifax music scene, save for Scotto.
- Vocal Tag Team: Nearly every song utilizes this in some degree or another.
