Meet James Diana | Drummer, Percussionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Diana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, why did you pursue a creative career?
As with many people who start learning a musical instrument, I think the initial appeal is the joy that it brings the player and audience. That concept, in a weird way, drove the decision to pursue an artistic career. I found that initially I’d play something new or discover a new idea on my instrument and would feel compelled to show people I knew, then they’d have a response to it. Understanding this concept, even on a small level, was pretty exciting; I could create something that I thought was special or interesting and show the world and they might agree. On a larger scale I realized that there was music that I listened to as a teenager and young adult that completely transformed me. I realized that somebody or some group of people created this thing and put it into the world. These people didn’t even know I existed and yet their music found me and resonated with me so much that it helped shape my worldview and my perception of myself. That Idea was just so cool to me. There’s this deep communication that exists between the artist and audience. There are certainly more lucrative and stable career paths but not too many of them offer that privilege.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Determination and persistence have been the overall themes of this project, it seems. The three of us in this group met on a more or less chance encounter; Nick and Alex (Barth), who are brothers, got booked on a show that I was playing with a previous band of mine. There was an instant connection and we decided to work together. The band’s since had two name changes, a heap of difficulties booking performances in Denver and a world-wide shutdown thanks to Covid. We continue, though, and I think we always will. Everyone of us would still play our instrument and make music even if not a single other person wanted to hear it. We just love doing it. As far as what might set us apart artistically; I think we’ve found a good working chemistry together. We all have slightly different musical tastes but mixing it together in a live band setting, in this case, really works. We also put a heavy emphasis on live performances and writing music together. Nick is the primary songwriter but we get together as a band and hash out the details together. If it gets us excited then we play it to an audience. If it gets them excited then we know we have a song worth keeping.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The week would look something like catching a headliner at Red Rocks, watching the locals acts up and down East Colfax (Bluebird, Lion’s Lair, etc.) and a South Broadway visit (Sputnik makes a mean corndog). And, of course, a trip through the mountains, driving Guanella Pass and hiking in RMN park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Any success we have as a band or individually is a direct result of the support and appreciation of our fan base. People may think that a simple listen or stream of our song, or a like or share of a post is not a big deal but it plays a huge role in our continuing efforts to create and share what we do. People will listen to a new song, watch a quick video of us making it, see we’re putting on a show, buy a ticket and come out and have a great time and to us that’s just incredible. We can’t say thanks enough.

Website: https://theetiquettesband.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_etiquettes/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Etiquettes/100069846425319/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theetiquettes

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7dN93r5ZgrZbEy4sNAKQq9

Image Credits
James Diana, Kate Diana