Default hitting up Brandon on Farewell tour

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This article was published 20/10/2018 (2760 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fronted by lead singer Dallas Smith, Canadian rock band Default will be coming to Brandon early next month as part of their Farewell tour.

The band — Danny Craig, Dallas Smith, Jeremy Hora and Dave Benedict — first formed back in 1999. They released their debut album “The Fallout,” with hit songs “Deny” and “Wasting My Time.”

Although Smith has been busy with his solo venture into country music since the band split back in 2013, it’s nice to be back together again, he said.

“I always said it would be a real shame if I wouldn’t get to sing with those guys again, and I’ve been able to spend more time with them in the last two months then I have in the last ten years,” he said. “It’s not only exciting to be able to get up there and play those songs again, but just to be around the guys and having those laughs about the old times.”

During the time he’s spent as a country singer, Smith said he’s improved in certain aspects of his performing.

“I’ve really challenged myself with the solo stuff to become a better front man, so I’m really excited to bring that to Default,” he said.

However, whether he’s performing rock music or country, he likes it all, he said.

“I just enjoy getting up there and playing songs that people hopefully enjoy and bringing those songs to life.”

When Smith was growing up, music was always around. His mom was in a professional women’s choir, and his dad sang and played guitar.

“It was just something we did as a family,” he said, adding that music was a way that he could fully relax and be himself.

“It’s always been a release and an escape for me, and I’m glad I’m able to make a living in doing what I love,” he said.

Over time, Smith’s on stage performance has changed as he has gotten more comfortable and confident sharing his voice with the world.

“As a kid, my whole thing was to just get over the fear of singing in front of people, besides inside my own house where people can’t hear me,” he said.

“I was a little bit more shy and reserved back in the day, so I’m excited to bring more life to these songs that have never been brought before on stage.”

Performing on stage gives him the ability to interact with people and watch their reactions in the crowd, he said.

“Being on stage is really the greatest people watching you could imagine,” he said. “It’s so much fun to watch everybody interact with each other and with us, so I just try to get as involved as possible.”

He’s looking forward to coming back to Brandon; a place he has performed in both with Default and as a solo act.

“There’s always been great music fans there and I know it’s a university town, and it’s always been a great lively play to play a live show,” he said.

“Don’t be dumb, this will be a great time, so don’t make a mistake of not coming.”

Their concert will take place Nov. 2 at Westoba Place. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the Keystone Centre box office.

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