Getting to Know… Demi the Daredevil

Reading Time: 4 min read

For the 88th interview on The Musical Hype, Jeff Azar gives up the scoop on his theatrical alternative rock band, Demi the Daredevil.

Let’s do the unprecedented – let’s just jump right into the 88th interview on The Musical Hype, shall we? The first question, familiar for anyone whose checked out the Getting to Know… series, goes a little something like this: For those who may not be familiar with Demi the Daredevil, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off? The response, by our awesome interviewee, Jeff Azar, goes a little something like this: “I make alternative rock music but there’s an added gothic fantasy twist to it… like a theatrical nightmare.” Ah, the part that really caught my attention, of course, was ‘like a theatrical nightmare.’

Normally, I don’t use the first interview question to preface the interview, but hey, it felt right! Clarifying things, Jeff Azar is the face of Demi the Daredevil, handling vocals, keys, percussion, and programming. From the Longhorn state – El Paso, Texas specifically – Demi the Daredevil has been described as “Raw, relatable, and also inspirational and unique.” What a mix, right? Well, as you might gather, Azar is quite interesting, as is the alt rock project itself. Now, we drive fully into Getting to Know… Demi the Daredevil: Interview #88.

Let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Demi the Daredevil form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had early on?

Jeff Azar: Someone who wanted to be the singer introduced me to the founder of Demi the Daredevil. I started as the drummer. I just hid in the back with no pressure. We wanted a cult following and the cult is growing right now.

Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Jeff Azar: Yes, I suppose early on the goal was to get signed. Nowadays lots of artists are making it work without giving up their rights to a label. So now, I just want to be an independent artist releasing music to those I care about and who care about me. The barriers of opportunities have broken down with the internet. I’d like to get a shirt in hot topic, be featured in alt press, get songs on some niche tv shows, and play in select cities.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Jeff Azar: If I’m going early back, Phil Collins, The Who, and Chicago are in my DNA. So is Savage Garden. So is Green Day and Blink 182 and the Used and MCR. So is Chopin!

Ah, the fun stuff. What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance? Feel free to be creative.

Jeff Azar: One time the guitarist for POD was in the crowd and came up and jammed with us no joke. I don’t remember what we played. He apparently just stopped our set.

Cool! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Jeff Azar: “Captain Hunchback.” I get a flashlight up to my face and get off the stage and in the crowds faces and try to be as uncomfortable as possible. That song was written in a terrifying state so I wanna make the performance scary.

Well that certainly sounds terrifying, haha! Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Jeff Azar: I’ve lived in a few strange places. No joke I’ve lived in an attic of the ballroom building on UT Austin campus my last summer there. I’ve lived in a teepee in someone’s back yard and slept in my car or couches for some nights without a permanent home.

That qualifies. Closing things out, what is Demi the Daredevil currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

Jeff Azar: Coming soon here… is something called the University Series. It’s a choose your own track story album. You get presented two tracks, and you pick them. The story will be released out of order.

Cool! Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.

Jeff Azar: Thank you!

Demi the Daredevil Socials & Such: