Master Dy- Female Fronted Metal Band from Portugal
Interview conducted on Jan. 02, 2022
by Dan Locke
A strong and iconic team of musicians, the emerging band Master Dy that was created in Portugal, has a strong theatrical component, approaches themes around metal and the occult in a comical way with heavy riffs but a sweet female voice. All set to captivate the world made their debut album release on Feb. 26th 2021, Master Dy intends to produce and create music that inspires and excites spirits through the use of iconic Power/Heavy metal music. With 11 splendid tracks, Master Dy managed to break into the genre and surprise listeners and critics with its release. Master Dy initially wanted to approach music through the theme used in black metal, because it’s ocultist and a bit revolted against the things that go wrong in a young man’s life, but then Dy Moob felt he didn’t want to do black metal and decided to do something more fun, it could be heard by the whole family and it wasn’t that heavy. Master Dy has been mainly getting inspiration from Ghost, a Swedish band awarded for their incredible hard rock performances in recent years, which has pulled crowds back to rock and heavy metal. Master Dy then sought inspiration in another theatrical band called Powerwolf, and the iconic Alice Cooper. On September 17th they released the iconic single You Are Not Alone and now the band is already in the studio working on the next album “Legacy of Satan” which should be released in 2022, what message will the band bring us this time?
Dy MooB- Your parents liked the arts. What is your education?
Yes I definitely inherited my mother’s musical streak, but my grandfather, who was an ex-marine and had also been a member of the Marine Music Band, was the most encouraging. We spent hours talking about music while he took care of his instruments (an accordion, harmonica, guitar, trumpet, among others) because he was multi-instrumentalist and spent most of his free time teaching me.
What took you from South America to Portugal?
Since I was a child, my grandfather and my mother encouraged me to immigrate because they thought the music world would be more open to me out there. They didn’t even imagine that I would fall in love with metal! (laughs) After growing up and going through many experiences as a businesswoman and working with music only in my free time, I decided to do what my heart wanted: leave Brazil to experience music abroad, and after lots of research with my ex-partner, we chose Portugal as our destination.
How did you discover music?
I must have been between 3 and 4 years old. My mother would play Elvis Presley or Elton John to put me to sleep. When the radio was on, my mother would ask me to run and listen to my favorite artists, but it was at 5 years of watching a clip of Michael Jackson that I decided I wanted to do that when I grew up.
How did you start writing music?
As a teenager, I did my first compositions with a keyboard I got from my mother at age 12 but I was rarely satisfied with what I wrote and ended up tearing it up and starting over. I started writing really seriously at around 17, have written several musical styles but I haven’t recorded them yet.
Your band has 7 members. That’s a lot of people. How did your band form?
Well, I formed the band by myself after facing a few minutes of crisis with borderline disorder. I was determined to take my own life, but while listening to a Ghost song, I thought about trying again. At that time I started to compose the music “Never Die” and the next day I already assembled the band, chose the name, made a character in honor of the Ghost that is “Madre Emerittus” and started promoting the new band through social networks. Then the first two members joined and we proceeded to the recording of the CD. As soon as the CD was all recorded, we left in search of new recruits and after a few entries and exits we reached the current formation.
How did you get your band name?
The band was supposed to have my name “Dy Moob” but then I thought I could do something more powerful, and as the theme revolves around the occult and social criticism I included the name Master in front of “Dy” to get the message across. I’m the master of myself and everyone can also be their own master.
Describe your music.
My music is an expression of what I feel, what I see, the mixtures of rhythms and themes have a purpose which is to show how much we can be free, both in music and in life. Composing for me is one of the noblest ways of expression and I notice that nowadays in the metal world people are very concerned about composing the right thing to please more people, while the connection, the message and the act of sharing feelings are being left behind!
How was your first performance?
I was around 17 years old and I performed in a music contest at my mother’s insistence, and went up to sing in front of 3 thousand people.
Royalties never seem like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work performed by a PRO to ensure its members are paid. If you haven’t already signed up with a well-performing organization such as ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be getting all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any songwriters’ organizations such as the international association of songwriters and singers, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I belong to BMI in the USA and UBC in Brazil.
What makes a good composer?
Telling stories that people identify with. Not strictly real stories, but as long as they are important and have meaning for you!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record this?
My first song is entitled “Estranhamente” and was composed in 2009. It’s in Brazilian Portuguese and I haven’t recorded it yet. I don’t know, I might add it to the band one day.
What is your song writing process?
There’s not really a process, it’s all very natural, but if we can mention a factor that triggers my creative moment it’s usually when I’m in crisis. Sometimes I don’t feel many things for months and I don’t compose anything on that time. People can be sure they are listening to things that were written at an emotional peak, I don’t make music to sell I write to vent.
You released a cover of Poison. What was Alice Cooper’s reaction the first time he heard this?
I didn’t send it to him yet! (laughs)
Tell me about the making of the “Final Breath” video?
This video was recorded on early 2021. We were in a quarantine situation, I managed to get some footage for the video from a willing producer and some actresses while I recorded some parts in my room with a chroma key to add to the story, edited it and then sent it to the VEVO channel.
How did you release a 4 track CD on Halloween?
It was a surprise! I suddenly called the band in the group and asked if is there anyone available to re-record some of our tracks on the acoustic guitar for an EP release. I said this around October 5th and in 10 days we had everything recorded, mixed and mastered. We recorded it in just one take. I had to do two takes to overlap the voices at times, but it was just a recording shot, we wanted to do something very natural with no effects, to show more intimacy with people. I didn’t want to market it and I didn’t.
How long before you hear more new songs from yourself?
We are working on a new album called “Legacy of Satan” that will come out in the next few months, but probably you will see a breakout single from us in January. This next album is intended to be an extension of the first one and will tell the stories in the crossing of the centuries ago but from Satan’s vision. Everyone says what they think about this figure, now the thing will be reversed and it’s Satan’s turn to speak!
Dy MooB – You released “The Shirt I Wear” a year ago. Are you going to make any more songs yourself?
Yes, I plan to release more songs of my solo project for sure! I just don’t have any plans right now.
On your social networks you say that giving some things in the New Year’s Eve. What are you giving on?
We are giving everyone who is commenting on social media a free download of all our songs, but one of them will be given away to receive the complete Fan Kit which includes CD, Cassette, T-shirt, poster and autographed guitar pick.
Since the first week of December, you’ve had 144.6 thousand transmissions. What are you feeling about streaming music?
We’re happy; we didn’t imagine that it would come with so many streams in the first year and first release. For us, this feedback was really amazing.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Of course vinyl is that classic and romantic thing, we can’t leave it out! But digital brings enormous practicality, so because of the fact that it’s two different technologies, I can’t choose one.
What song from the past is on your mind right now? Also, what is the meaning of this song for you?
“The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel. This song was one of my grandfather’s favorites and brings me very good memories, so when people ask me about a song from the past, this comes straight to mind.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think the Covid-19 virus killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus will affect the music business in the future?
I think it extensively affected, as the options made available to people made the public’s view of events change. Consequently, the new streaming technologies got way stronger and both people and artists adopted that too. Now, with the emergence of events in the metaverse, I believe that the idea of a live show is getting more and more distant.
Do you think Covid-19 has been an asset to an artist career?
In some points it was positive because we had time to devote ourselves to rehearsals and I to writing and marketing and even without having performed any concerts, we managed to reach a very good audience, and I believe that a large part of this was due to the pandemic!
What have you been doing with your voluntary quarantine?
I worked on the band’s compositions and also with the record label, as I’m the CEO at DyMM P&M and also editor-in-chief at MTView magazine. There was no lack of work, believe me!
How do you stay healthy during confinement?
It was something difficult and actually I lost this battle! I gained 40 kilos during the pandemic, and now I’m trying to rehabilitate my weight.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Yes, I started to play bass but just to have fun. I didn’t know I would enjoy so much playing this instrument!
Recently the virus has returned with the Delta outbreak, which causes many people in the industry to worry about the future of live music.
How would you like live shows to be performed and still keep you and the fans safe?
I would very much like it to be possible but if not, I wouldn’t risk it if I’m not assured that it would be 100% safe. I asked for the cancellation of the tour, which already had almost all the shows scheduled for the second semester, precisely because of this climate of uncertainty in that we are now that makes me uncomfortable!
Is paying to play still one thing? Now, pay to play also means thinking like a playlist on the internet and slots for a big band on tour.
Paying to play is a sensitive issue, because it’s not fair, we know we’re there not because of the talent but because there was some money in our pocket to “coerce” someone, and others who have talent are left behind. Here in Portugal for example, we are one great band with 7 members with a show that promises to take the public’s breath away, but because we are not willing to pay or “flatter” the event promoters we ended up staying out. There are great events here with international bands that prefer to put small band covers without any fans on Spotify than giving us an opportunity, and I say now who doesn’t want to work with these types of people is me!
The Star Trek show introduced people to holodeck: a realistic and immersive 3D holographic projection of an environment you can interact with.
Today, holograms are already being used in a variety of ways, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense.
Artists such as Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe and Whitney Houston have all done it. ABBA has just announced that they will come back together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their upcoming tour. With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas.
If the cost was low to the point that you could do it too, would you be willing to do holographic concerts in our living room?
Absolutely. Despite not being my preference, as I prefer things the old-fashioned way, but if that’s what can be done, let’s do it!
In the past, if a musician stopped making music they found a new career. For example Van Halen’s David Lee Roth became a NY licensed EMT for 6 years, San Spitz (Anthrax guitarist) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you don’t know how to make music, what would you like to be doing?
If I couldn’t even work at my record company or at the magazine, I would try again to join the Brazilian Navy Corporation. My grandfather was a highly respected marine and I’d like to join the corporation on his behalf!
What is your happy place?
The road, because traveling is my great joy. During the pandemic I haven’t done that but in Brazil before moving to Portugal I managed to drive 20 thousand km up and down the country, visiting cities, alone with 3 pet cats.
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell all their music generated $140 million. Last year, many musicians like Stevie Nicks ($100 million), Bob Dylan (over $400 million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, KT Tunstall and Shakira sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for $300 million. Neil Young Music 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and interest income on his catalog of 1,180 songs for Hypnosis Songs Fund Limited. When you are about 70 years old. Publishing is much more profitable than the mechanical royalties paid to the artist based on sales, airplay, and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought in the Beatles catalog rights in 1985. And in the late 1980s, The Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishers are more tax-friendly with regards to estate planning.
Someone who was totally against selling his rights was David Crosby. He didn’t want to sell his publishing rights. And it was not an easy thing for him to do. But by making a deal with Irving’s Iconic Azoff Artists Group, it took a great deal of weight off his shoulders. He could pay off his house and cover other bills. And now he doesn’t have to work for a living. It should be noted that David is struggling with tendonitis in his hands, which impairs his ability to play guitar.
Do you think you would be willing to sell your previous catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, like all the rights to all your music?
I don’t think so, I won’t say I never would because a smart head can always change his mind, but it wouldn’t be part of my plans to do something like that!
There are many platforms that allow artists to make their music heard. Artist Republik, DistroKid, Tunecore and many others offer distribution services. These services allow independent artists to put their music on some of the most popular streaming services globally, from Spotify to Apple Music and everything in between. If you’ve been anywhere in the music industry for the past few years, you probably know someone who has distributed a song.
Spotify reports that in 2021 there were around 8 million artists on the platform. Of these 8 million artists, about 57,000 are collecting 90% of the total stream revenue. That means 0.71% of artists on Spotify are making good money. In 2020, there were a total of about $5 billion paid to artists on the Spotify platform alone.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will have more than 90 million tracks. And that in early next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
What do you think this could mean for an independent artist?
Honestly, this entire volume of music can’t be good for artists! In fact, most are not even real artists; a large part of these songs are copied and pasted on a loop basis and a person without any knowledge sets up an audio track (sometimes not) and puts it on the platforms and calls himself an artist. This saturates the industry and it is noticed that digital music distributors came to seek their own profit and not to help artists. It is already clear why it doesn’t matter for them if the quality of the music is dropping and if it is killing the emotions of a true composer. For them, only profits matter like everything else in the world.
More than half a billion active users around the world share their favorite music on TikTok with something like a dance challenges and lips synced videos or creating a funny sketch or a simple moment camera.
TikTok has become a great platform for promoting music, sharing music and finding new listeners. Which has become a place for music artist to generate revenue when people use their music. That, in many cases, the daily promotion on TikTok has led to big boosts on other platforms like Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.
TikTok does this by algorithmically generating a content feed for each user, which you see as the #display. The more the user engages with the content, the smarter TikTok is at guessing what kind of video the viewer wants to watch.
Because a song can go viral because of that.
Sony Music and Warner Music Group- ByteDance’s proprietary video app revealed that it has reached an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is fully licensed by the top three record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Yes I opened the official Master Dy account a few weeks ago and I’ve been trying to interact with the public in some way there, I’m really enjoying the platform by chance and we intend to put more and more videos of ours there!
Hourly News: The latest TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time channel SiriusXM Music Channel live this summer. The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM app, desktop, and all connected devices.
Some of those on TikTok include Cassyette, YukoEXE, Ashinikko, Palaye Royale, Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots), Yungblud, Morrissey, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Gene Simmons, and Mick Jagger.
The station will be part of a new collaboration between TikTok and SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent. Do you think this platform could become a force in the future of music streaming?
Yes, I think it will become a potential force but it’s still not enough because there are millions of supposed artists fighting for a place in the sun and some will be promoted maybe without merit so that others stay in the dark with an unhappy 9 to 5 work. This is the sad reality!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I want to say it was a pleasure to talk to you and I greatly appreciate this impartial space to talk about our work. If you want to know more about the band of a crazy granddaughter of an ex-military man, visit our website www.masterdy.com and get a free one of our tracks when you sign up on the site! Don’t forget to follow us on Spotify to give us your support; just type “Master Dy” in the search bar and we’ll be there waiting for you!
Keep taking care so we can see each other soon at our shows!
