We recently connected with The Definitive and have shared our conversation below.
The Definitive, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Taking a risk is a scary, yet rewarding action. Whether that’s deciding which career path to take in life, or even the simple things such as meeting new friends. These risks are what lead to a greater purpose in an individuals life. Before becoming the front man of The Definitive, Duke Domino was a solo artist who participated in a variety of performances, ranging from busking on the streets to big stages and productions in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. He took the risk of picking up a guitar and making an impression in the Calgary music scene. Although he had many supporters, Duke also encountered many critics throughout his ongoing career. His passion and drive to entertain and bring joy to people’s lives is enough to keep him going.
One stand out night was when Duke was out busking on 17th ave. After a break, a woman approached him and requested the song “Yellow” by Coldplay. He said, “Yes of course! I have it right here on my music book!”. She was surprised and enthusiastically replied, “I would love if you could sing that song for me”. Duke obliged and happily sang, afterwards, she mentioned with tears streaming down her face, “thank you for singing this song, it was so special and much needed as I was going through a tough time”. This became a special moment for Duke as it was not only a risk that had a reward but it was also a moment of sharing the impact of music on others.
Not only did Duke take a risk on his music career, he also is a contributing member to The Definitive that was formed based on risks. Members Vaughan Xavier, Duke Domino, Dylan Jones, and Evan Burns met in a sort of happenstance. Each member had a musical background that shaped their love for music. Vaughan was part of of the school band in high school, Duke and Dylan were part of a show choir, and Evan had gone to a music school in Kelowna, BC. Without each member’s determination and risk in continuing their passion for music, the band would not be here today. All throughout their lives they have been heavily influenced by their love, passion, and dedication for music. Growing up with a supportive group of family and friends made their journey’s easier as they developed the confidence to pursue music as a career.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We are The Definitive, an all Canadian rock band formed in Calgary, Alberta, in 2023. Our group’s unique blend comprised of Evan Burns’ progressive slap bass lines, Dylan Jones’ classic rock-inspired guitar riffs, Vaughan Xavier’s in-your-face funky drum grooves and the sweet memorable vocal hooks of Duke Domino, has garnered us a reputation for exploring uncharted sonic territory – creating a sound the band call Northern Rock. Our start in the music industry was not an easy task, especially for a new band in the local music scene. However, having a band that not only collaborates in creating groovy tunes but also in the work behind the scenes, there’s nothing that can deter us from our dreams. Ranging between finances, marketing, press releases, music mixing and mastering, all members have our own parts to play in addition to playing our instruments.
Following the release of our debut album WORLDS AWAY, we have cemented our reputation as a fresh and energetic live band. Playing shows and festivals across Western Canada and sharing the stage with bands like Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, and Headstones, it was through sheer determination and passion for music that shaped The Definitive’s presence in a short period of time.
The Definitive is a stand out band that understands the importance of entertainment and engagement with the audience. Whenever and wherever they are, The Definitive ensures that their audiences gets what they came for, “A rock n’ rollin’ show that’ll knock you out of this world and get you grooving to the beat”.
The Definitive is proud to share their music to the world. The title track ‘Sugar’ from their debut album is a testament of what a group of passionate musician’s can create together. Having a network of family, friends and especially the fans around the world supports and provides a further meaning to the Definitive’s ongoing purpose, which is to help listeners feel alive and free through the music they play, and most importantly, enjoy.
Amidst the chaos, The Definitive continues to dive deeper into their sound, exploring new ideas and capitalizing on the magic of those first jam sessions.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The resilience of The Definitive perseveres through times of strife and hardship. During the Battle of the Bands at the commercial Blues on Whyte in Edmonton, Alberta, we made it to the semi-finals and were set to compete against multiple bands. On the night of the finals, we gave it our all. Duke danced the heck out of the stage, Dylan gave his mind-blowing solos, Evan swooned the audience with his cool gaze, and Vaughan impressed the audience with his drum solo and tricks. However, once the final winner was announced, we were devastated as we, and all the other participating bands, worked so hard to win this competition. All of this wasn’t in vain though since we gained so much support from the audience who loved our style and prowess on stage. Many doors have opened since then, so we no longer see this as a loss but as a reason to keep moving forward.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building an audience on social media is an important aspect in garnering success in the music industry. With the rise of social media in our daily lives, we understand that relating to our audience is an aspect that can be utilized. From funny skits, to captions providing relatability, such as, “When you lose your guitar slide for the solo and improvise with a beer bottle”. Guitar enthusiasts know all to well how this feels, and thus we received many likes and views on our Instagram page. Not only does this provide us with positive feedback on this clever use of a mishap on stage but it gives us huge exposure as well.
The idea of social media can be bothersome for a-lot of people as it can become an addiction or even tiresome, as you may have to post everyday in order to gain the audience you hope to reach. However, if a schedule is made and content is posted on a weekly or daily basis, it is possible to have a life outside social media while providing enjoyable content for the fans!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedefinitive.ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedefinitiveofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDefinitiveOfficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedefinitiveofficial
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7AqLHayT2dUOsNuyz6xIV1?si=tS4ag8e0S0WYN_qqDVlVIA&nd=1&dlsi=053f1642e2f84432
Tike Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedefinitiveofficial
Image Credits
TheDefinitive_Photo(1)
Credits
Mattern Photography and Design
Instagram: @kmattephoto
TheDefinitive_Photo(2)
Credits
Heather Adam
Instagram: @harunastudios
TheDefinitive(1), (2) , and (3)
Credits
Tyler Jones
Instagram: @tyjpics