www.facebook.com/killingrapunzel
From: Wausau, WI
Sounds like: Hard Rock/Metal
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “Killing Rapunzel" and is there any meaning behind it?
Dakota, Branden and Emmitt were saturated in music with their parents and families since their childhood years. They each individually had a burning passion to grow up to do what they love, and that was making music for all to hear and enjoy! Dakota and Branden were more influenced by classic rock/metal bands, such as Judas Priest, Iron maiden, Pantera, Motley Crue etc. Emmitt's roots were more modern, such as All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Wage War, Periphery, etc. They united together in high school and fused their playing styles together to create the sound of Killing Rapunzel people know of today. The sound is still constantly changing and evolving. Dakota was the founder of the name Killing Rapunzel. The meaning behind it originated back when Dakota was attending middle school. One student, who called him Rapunzel for having long hair, told him to cut off his hair so he would "look better". As time went on, he thought long and hard about the comment and came to the conclusion that if he were to cut off his hair, he would be killing his soul and his passion to play rock and metal music, and it would be Killing Rapunzel, or his looks that drove him to be what he was.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
The messages of our songs are about exposing the truths and faults in society, and rebelling against the "social norms" to serve and live by a better standard of life.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
If you took the best of the 70's and 80s rock/metal music and put a modern spinoff on it, you would get Killing Rapunzel.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Ghost - Brandens Vote
Savatage / TSO - Dakotas Vote
Lamb of God - Emmitts Vote
5. What are your three desert island albums that you'd never get tired of listening to?
Firepower by Judas Priest - Dakota
Opus Eponymus by Ghost BC - Branden
6. What’s your take on the current state of Hard Rock?
It could be better. That's why we are here, trying to set a new standard of what true Rock n Roll and Heavy Metal is like, and that is played from the heart and soul.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Wisconsin both locally and state wide?
There are a plethora of bands around Wisconsin. Many of which aren't at the caliber of what we are at, aiming to make a living off of our true passion.
8. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
We think its okay to have a few songs for free download to show people what we are about. But after putting so much effort and time into a record, we feel it's only fair to have people buy the album. Also if you buy the album verses downloading it for free, it'll be more meaningful to you that you've invested your own money into music you desire to listen to.
9. What’s next for Killing Rapunzel?
A five song EP is in the works for later this year/ early next year. We are hoping to tour extensively and get our name out there to a wider audience.
10. Any shoutouts?
Any and all supporters/fans of Killing Rapunzel, who keep the dream alive!
