Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Michael Dion (lead singer/songwriter/rhythm guitar/harmonica/lap steel)
Jason Moretti (lead guitar)
Jay “JS” Samiagio (bass)
Jay Breen (drums)
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to (Daemon Chili)? How long has the band been around?
Daemon Chili (DC) was formed in the fall of 2013 by Michael Dion. Before DC, Dion toured for ten years as a founding member of the acclaimed New England string band Hot Day at the Zoo. Moretti and Samiagio were both founding members of the progressive blues-rock band Cotton Mouth. Breen was a founding member of instrumental jazz fusion band The Freelance Bishops.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Daemon Chili is an anagram of Michael Dion. Daemon Chili is Michael Dion.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Michael Dion writes all the music in DC. On the band’s latest released, Mercy of the Sea, there is a distinct oceanic/seafaring theme. The title track is loosely based on Homer’s the Odyssey and Great Blue Sea is a retelling of the Iliad.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
In terms of current, touring bands, we’re really into the Dawes, JJ Grey and Mofro, Gov’t Mule, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, John Mayer, Wood Brothers, Lumineers, and Chris Stapleton to name a few.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
We’re all pretty much Deadheads from our college days, so the whole Dead/hippy scene played a major role in shaping our musical ambitions. From there each of us branched out in different musical directions, but the Dead is our common ground.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Hmm… Well, we sometimes get together and enjoy nice meal before a gig, but we really don’t have any consistent rituals, per se.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
The new album peaked out at #5 on the Relix/Jambands.com Radio Charts.
1. The Infamous Stringdusters Ladies & Gentlemen
2. Tedeschi Trucks Band Let Me Get By
3. The Unseen Strangers Stranger Places
4. Polyrhythmics Octagon
5. Daemon Chili Mercy of the Sea
6. Lettuce Crush
7. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Call It What It Is
8. Larry Keel Experienced
9. Ontologics Drones From Home
10. Charles Bradley Changes
11. Kung Fu Joyride
12. Twiddle Plump
13. Roots of Creation Livin Free
14. BD Lenz Manifesto
15. Craig Greenberg The Grand Loss & Legacy
16. Rog & The Human Tribe All Told
17. Jocelyn & Chris Arndt Edges
18. The Hip Abduction Gold Under the Glow
19. Freekbass Cincinnati
20. Bombino Azel
21. Anders Osborne Spacedust & Ocean Views
22. Galactic Into The Deep
23. Coral Creek Coral Creek
24. Marco Benevento Live At Signal Kitchen
25. Tauk Headroom
26. David Gans It’s a Hand-Me-Down
27. Shaman Juan Blabbermouth
28. The Revivalists Men Amongst Mountains
29. Elephant Revival Petals
30. David Bowie Blackstar
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
The Grateful Dead, obviously, because they were a bunch of badasses who trail blazed their way through musical history like no other before or since.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are happy to announce that we have recently been added to the Pandora family. On our station, you’ll hear the likes of such legendary acts as the Dead, Skynard, Dylan, Stones, Floyd, Creedence, Beatles, Petty, Stones, Neil Young, Black Crowes, et al. We’re keeping some good company over there, so go ahead and create yourself a Daemon Chili station on Pandora. You won’t be sorry you did. We promise!