Easily one of the biggest names in the Toronto indie music scene, Cai.ro has quickly established themselves as a formidable creative force. Their 2011 EP Young Love has captivated listeners at every turn of the touring road, OTM included. They’ve even captured mainstream attention: their moving single “All These Colours” will also be featured by Monster/Diesel for the worldwide launch campaign of their new “Vektr” headphones. Live, the five-piece band that’s drawn comparison to everyone from Arcade Fire to Fleet Foxes exemplifies synchronicity and a passion for their music. No wonder, then, that Cai.ro took third place at 2012’s Indie Week.
Cai.ro is a band that’s on a meteroic rise, so OTM was thrilled to grab Nate Daniels (lead vocalist and self-proclaimed “sexy one” of the band) and Dante Berardi Jr. (guitars, self-disclosed Gemini) for a chat on the magic virtual couch. Read on to hear about Sky Ferreira, porn and what would happen if Ninjas and Pirates procreated…
Photo Credit: Band Website/Caitlin Baker (caitlinlaura.com)
OTM: Last year, “Gangnam Style” exploded onto the scene. If you could dictate the song or trend that would become the viral monster of 2013, what would it be?
Nate: “Everything’s Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira because she is heroin chic and the world needs another Kate Moss.
If you could recruit anyone to direct a music video for you — Go wild! You’re not footing the bill — who would you choose and what song would you want them to tackle?
Nate: Darren Aronofsky always brings an urgency to his films that would be perfect for “Fuck You Up” (not recorded yet).
Dante: David Fincher, Edgar Wright or Patrick Daughters.
Name five essential albums you can’t live without.
Dante: Radiohead – Hail to the Thief; Patrick Watson – Wooden Arms; A Perfect Circle – 13th Step; Sufjan Stevens – Seven Swans; Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlantiscm
Your favourite guilty pleasure?
Nate: Porn. Wait, I don’t feel guilty for that…hmmm. Badminton?
Dante: Video Games, Kettle chips, lying in bed until 2-3pm even though I got up at 11.
The great debate of our lives: who would win, ninjas or pirates? More importantly, why?
Dante: I say neither. They would make a truce and take over the world together! Ninjas and Pirates and their offsprings, Ninjrates!? There’s no stopping that.
If you were to be sponsored by a board game, what board game would you proudly bear the name of?
Nate: Clue because if I was famous enough to have a sponsor I’d need to tell the paparazzi to take a hint and fuck off.
Spice World: terrible movie that should have never been made, or five clever, self-deprecating women taking the piss?
Nate: Making millions of dollars is always a good idea – the latter.
Thinking of concerts you’ve attended as a fan/spectator, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen someone else do in an audience?
Dante: I saw someone get up on stage and unplug the guitar from the amp; guitarist was so shell shocked he didn’t do anything.
Bastardizing a Metric lyric: who’d you rather be, The Tragically Hip or Rush?
Nate: Tragically Hip
Chicken or the egg question: which usually comes first, the music or the lyrics?
Nate: For me, they actually come at the same time.
The music industry can be daunting at best. What keeps you going in a world flooded with talent, each person or group jockeying for listeners and airplay?
Nate: The little things. Small achievements everyday. Looking for ways to continually feel better.
Your first concert: who was it, and how old were you? More importantly, how was it?
Dante: My Godfather, Bobby Curtola, my dad was playing keys and sax. Couldn’t have been more than 2-3 years old. It planted the seeds of the person who I am now. They could have been tighter on the ones though *winks*.
In the spirit of Shaun Of The Dead, what was the second album you ever bought?
Nate: The Cranberries – No Need To Argue
The best music-related film ever made?
Dante: It’s a tie (like that cheat?): Scott Pilgrim and Almost Famous.
The world is ending in ten minutes. You can listen to one and only one song before the world ends. What song do you go out on?
Nate: “Pomp and Circumstance” so I can laugh hysterically as I go.
Dante: Tony Bennett –“ I left my heart in San Francisco”. Go out with some class you know?
What can we look forward to from you in 2013?
Nate: A new EP, a few tours, some new videos. We are going content crazy!
I can hardly wait! Thanks so much, guys!
Cai.ro is playing Canadian Music Week more than once, so you have absolutely no excuses for missing this phenomenal band live. Catch them March 20th at 11pm (Cabin 5), March 21st at 9pm (Dakota Tavern) OR March 23rd at 9pm (The Hoxton)!
Trivia: Dante is so damn talented, he’s also a member of Future History, one of the bands taking part in our CMW Giveaway! Head here to learn how to score music treats and stay tuned for our chat with Future History.
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