Dinosoul is an American dark synth pop indie rock band formed by partners Donny Donovan (vocals, guitar) and Carolyn Hilliard (vocals, keyboard) from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2016.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Carolyn Hilliard - Keys/synth/vocals
Donny Donovan - Guitar/vocals/drum programmer/bass
For starters, what bands were you part of prior to this project? How long has this project been around?
This is Carolyn's first band ever! Donny was in her former bands Roulette Waves/Hearken and Dream Phone prior to this project. Dinosoul has been around for 3 1/2 years.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Our main theme for most of our songs is self realization, self awareness, connection, empowerment, healing and growth. We think that these themes will always be the underlying messages in our songs. However, the realizations change over time as we continue to grow and heal.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Currently, we are being inspired by Tegan and Sara, Radiohead, The Cure, Missy Elliott (her beats), Julian Baker, Interpol, Nine Inch Nails, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The XX, Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O'Connell
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Carolyn: It was Donny, that really pushed me to have the courage to be in a band. I would go to all of her Roulette Waves shows and it sparked something in me to want to revisit and explore my musicality after having left it absent for numerous years.
Donny: It was seeing Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Incubus, No Doubt, and Paramore live and listening to Tegan and Sara that really inspired me to start writing music and eventually start a band.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
We try to ground ourselves and connect to each other before shows by meditating, doing breathing exercises and just being goofy!
What has been the biggest highlight of you music career so far?
One of our biggest highlights was opening up for both She Wants Revenge and Wolf Parade on separate occasions here in Pittsburgh. They were so awesome and inspiring both as artists and as people. Also, making it in the Top 200 NACC radio chart right after our album was released last year in 2018.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
We would love to tour with Tegan and Sara. Their shows are so personable and we absolutely love their music. Also, we support everything that they are doing with their foundation that helps queer identifying people.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are partners and activists for the sober community, LGBTQIA+ community, and veganism. We also throw sober music events in the city of Pittsburgh under the name Empath Sober Bar & Social Events and have played a few sober bar pop-up events in Nashville and Austin!