The Entertainer recently had the chance to talk with singer/songwriter and sometimes solo artist (he currently is involved in numerous musical incarnations with fellow Tri-City musicians), Duncan Pryce. The resulting question and answer session is provided for your reading enjoyment and to inform you about the world that surrounds Duncan.
ENTERTAINER: When did you first become interested in music?
DUNCAN: I was twelve years old and my dad kept telling me about this really cool band on the radio. One day he came straight in from the car and said, “That cool band is on the radio right now!” So he flipped on the radio that we keep on top of the refrigerator and I heard for the first time the song, Yellow Submarine by this cool group of teenagers from England. Of course, they were the Beatles and the rest is history. Wow was I impressed. I knew exactly what I wanted to do—to be just like them.
We had this old guitar out in our junk room. It was a wide-body acoustic Harmony with the f-holes in it and the strings about a mile off the fret board. The strings were so old they had this type of moss on the back of them. But my dad said if I could learn how to play it he would give it to me. Less than six months later I owned my first guitar.
ENTERTAINER: What is the style of music that you play?
DUNCAN: Actually, I’ve experimented with almost every style of music at one time or another. The styles that I favor the most are all types of blues, rock, soft and hard rock, classic rock and some swamp rock with a little bit of rockabilly thrown in just for good measure.
The thing about all the different styles of music is I like almost all of them as long as they’re done well. They’ve got to have solid licks, punches and kicks, well timed melodies and a great groove or feel that is catchy—the kind that makes you want to get up out of your chair and move! The longer the riff, the more interesting it is. For example, the line in Led Zeppelin’s song Black Dog, “Hey hey mama say the way you move gonna make me smile gonna make me groove”—then come this long melody of tight intricate notes all played together by the band at the same time. Also, Penny Lane by the Beatles would also be a good example of the vocal melody doing the same thing—weaving in around and about the long pattern with the chord structure.
ENTERTAINER: What are you currently working on?
DUNCAN: Well, I’m basically just trying to survive in a limited market for places to play that pay worth a darn. Most of the music venues are still paying the live music the same scale of pay they were getting in the early 70’s.
I’ve got five different acts that I’m currently playing with; Black Cat Bone Blues Band—recently reunited with the original members and all original music off my old CD’s, The Duncan Pryce Band that plays a lot of classic rock covers and dance music, two duo’s, Pryce/Cary and Gnoza & Pryce and I’m also still doing my single act.
As well, I’ve got a CD project on the back burner that is years in the making that is all my original acoustic instrumentals—about 12 songs that cover a lot of styles of music. It ranges from flamenco to classical, folk to blues, some ragtime guitar and soft rock. There is lots of finger picking with counter melodies that mix all these styles together. It’s my ultimate goal to release this CD sometime soon.
ENTERTAINER: What has been your greatest memory as a musician?
DUNCAN: The best was a wedding where I played acoustic guitar before and after the ceremony on top of a cliff overlooking the Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho. It was an amazing setting both for music and a wedding.
ENTERTAINER: What does the future hold for your career?
DUNCAN: Only time will tell if I’m one of the few who gets their lucky break or if I’m destined to be a lounge singer the rest of my life.
ENTERTAINER: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
DUNCAN: I would just encourage young musician to go for their dreams—but don’t give up your day job.
ENTERTAINER: Thank you Duncan for giving us this opportunity to get to know you and your music. The Entertainer wishes you the best in your musical endeavors! To find out more about Duncan be sure to visit The Entertainer website (www.theentertainernewspaper.com/music). Once there you will be able to listen to and download free songs from Duncan, find out when his next shows will be as well as purchase his latest albums. Thank you for supporting our local musicians!
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