10 YEARS OF HEAVY LIVING
2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of Dali Van Gogh. Throughout the years, with every incarnation, every lineup, one song has consistently stayed with the band and helped to define and mold their ever evolving sound. Heavy Living, first conceived of by guitarist Isaac Kent prior to his founding the band, has gone through many changes over the years, as each new lineup put its own stamp on the piece. We now present for the first time ever, a chronology of the band's sound, through the unique perspective of what some may call their signature song.
2008
Original MIDI File
Written while Isaac was working at Soccer Pro, a sporting goods store in Cole Harbour, NS, Heavy Living's inception was as a low quality MIDI file created in Guitar Pro 4.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Guitar Pro 4
2009
3rd Rehearsal Take
The very first recording of the complete musical score, with incomplete lyrics and melody, sung by the band's first vocalist Sean Bray. At the time the band had not yet finalized a name.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Bray, Megan MacKenzie, Lee Dauphinee, Nason Scribner
2009
White Noise Release
Recorded in spring of 2009, the first demos of what would become Dali Van Gogh were released on Myspace. This was the first recording to feature the current lyrics.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Bray, Megan MacKenzie, Nason Scribner
2010
Unknown Auditioner
Following Sean Bray's exit from the band, auditions were held to find a replacement vocalist. This demo, sent by an unknown vocalist, was one of the first the band received.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Megan MacKenzie, Nason Scribner, Unknown Auditioner
2010
Verbal Warning Release
Marcel McNeil joined Dali Van Gogh in the spring of 2010, at which time the band set about to record a 10 song demo disk. Verbal Warning was release later that year.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Megan MacKenzie, Nason Scribner, Marcel McNeil
2012
Wild Blue City Release
After signing a deal with AR Select in California, Heavy Living was re-recorded for a fully produced LP featuring songs from Verbal Warning as well as new material, including the hit single Wild Blue City.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Sawler, Scott Turnbull, Marcell McNeil
2013
Live & Acoustic
Recorded during rehearsal sessions for the band's Canada Day acoustic performance on the Eastern Passage Waterfront, this is the only acoustic recording of Heavy Living.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Sawler, Scott Turnbull, Marcell McNeil
2014
Wallie Leigh Audition
Following the band's parting ways with Marcel McNeil, and prior to their two year hiatus, DVG auditioned new vocalists in hopes of maintaining the momentum they had gained from the release of Wild Blue City.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Sawler, Scott Turnbull, Wallie Leigh
2014
The Unchained Version
In the early years of Isaac's side project, The Unchained, vocalist Ethan Anderson demoed his own, darker rendition of the song in 2014. It was never completed due to the 2015 house fire that inspired From Ashes.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Sean Sawler, Scott Turnbull, Ethan Anderson
2017
Live at the Marquee
Following the reformation of the band and a full year of touring Eastern Canada, Dali Van Gogh performed a hits laden set at Halifax's historic Marquee Ballroom as part of Rock for Metal Health.
Performers:
Isaac Kent, Cyrus R.O., Jaad Stewart, Devon Roberts, John Scotto
