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It’s amazing to think that this was the first time I entered the Commodore Ballroom before doors. And luckily for me I was there to interview and shoot soundcheck (as well as the show), a killer hometown band in that of Dear Rouge. We started with the interview, with Danielle and Drew McTaggert meeting me in one of the green rooms shortly after I arrived, chatting as I set up. Both being relatively soft spoken calm people, which completely vanishes once they hit the stage, especially Danielle, who completely transforms…but more on that in the show section.
Next up was soundcheck (where they found out the sold out the show), that had already started while we were doing the interview. So everything was ready to go when Drew and Danielle stepped on stage with their awaiting touring band, Jordan Kern on the bass and keys, and Brenon Parry on drums.
This section contains excerpts from the interview above.
When did you start as a band?
Drew: Dani and I started making music together in 2010, and Dear Rouge became a band officially in 2012, for a radio battle of the bands contest. That we won and allowed us to win the prize money and make a record, and become Dear Rouge.
How did you meet?
Drew: Dani and I met through a mutual friend that we had that came out here for school. She told me that “you’re really going to like my friend Danielle”. It always felt a little bit competitive. We were a little bit young and feisty…
Danielle: Yeah we did meet through her and we were a little bit feisty to each other, had some attitude.
Drew: Her band was touring, my band was touring. And as we got older and more mature, we realized that our connection was just different.
Best advice to new bands or someone looking to start/join one?
Danielle: I think my best piece of advice is, you can’t be what you’re not. So just lean in really hard to what you do. Choose you lane, and that’s you, and just go for it…
Drew: I’d say do it because you love it. If you think about money, fame, success, that comes secondary. And if you’re chasing those things, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, and you’re going to burn out. You do it because you love it, you do it because you want to play music you like, and share it with other people. Whether it be a campfire, a small pub, Coachella, Red Rocks. All of them will be good gigs. Obviously everyone wants fame and money, but you do it because you love it, and that will keep you going forever.
I said this after the first time I saw Dear Rouge live—two and a half years ago—that they should be WAY bigger than they are. Their music is great…but their shows are incredible. While the last time I saw them, I for the first time in my life wanted to actually be up ONSTAGE, this time was the same thing, but in the sense that I need to find a Danielle to my Drew, only I’ll be standing father back (I said I wanted to be onstage, not at the front of it). While Drew brings the heat while playing, he shies a bit when the spotlight hits him. But really, everyone (no offence Drew) is there to watch Danielle. Which isn’t hard because her charisma and energy dare you to look away, and that’s one you’re going to lose.
"I want the roof to be blown off this place!"
This is the part where I usually talk about the crowd, but as I’m writing this a couple days later, I honestly can’t remember them enough, in a good or bad way. They were definitely grooving throughout the show, but I also remember thinking they should be grooving MORE. Especially for their hometown band. Maybe there just wasn’t enough room in the sold out ballroom. I wonder how they compared to Edmonton (see the interview above). While I did find myself thinking they should be more enthusiastic, there was definitely a vibe in the Commodore, I just don’t know if it was just the band ricocheting off the walls. So was the roof blown off the place? Depends on who you ask. From the crowd. Hell yeah.
"We're going to bring it up a bit, can I get an 'OH YEAH!"
This being the Lonesome High tour, all but one song “Without You” made it to the stage. The other nine songs (save for a little No Doubt weaved into “Not Afraid to Dance”) came from their previous albums. Two from Spirit, four from Phases including a special acoustic performance of “Live Through the Night”, and three from Black to Gold (which is celebrating its tenth anniversary). There wasn’t one hit that stood amongst the rest when it came to the enthusiasm of the crowd. Which is nice, they’re not just there for a song or two. Though the song of the night might’ve been “Not Afraid to Dance”. With a bottle of bubbly Danielle gave her best audition for Coyote Ugly, and well, if she stopped pouring the booze on the floor, she’d be a shoe-in for the top of the bar…if this whole band thing didn’t workout anyways. Also, a shoutout to Dear Rouge’s manager, Alex, for cleanup duty. Who said the music business is glamorous?
"The best thing you can do is celebrate"
Only a few song after the cork was popped was it time for the encore. And with all the energy left on the stage during the main set, Danielle maybe gave her heart to the song that kicked off the final three, that of “Lonesome High”. Where for much of the song it was just her up there alone on a dark stage, and yet that was the only place anyone was looking, was the musician giving her heart and soul to all were there. While she showed all night that she wasn’t afraid to dance, she showed then, that she wasn’t afraid to sing.
But it wasn’t long before the band joined her and the last two rocked the socks off all of us Goons there, once again giving a magical performance in the place they call home.
…now I just need to find my musical Drew.
"Thank you so much for making this magical night happen."
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— Jade Dempsey