{{Notability|Music|date=April 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Direct Influence | image = DI_Press.jpg | caption = 'Final Word' Single Launch | origin = Melbourne, Australia | genre = Electro/rock reggae | years_active = 2006&ndash;present | label = Independent | website = {{URL|http://www.directinfluencemusic.com}} | current_members = Dylan Smith<br/>Marcus Ross<br/>Mikey Chan<br/>Matt Bray<br/>Pat Kilby<br/>Jarrah Whyte }}

'''Direct Influence''' is a 6-piece Melbourne based electro/rock/reggae group formed and fronted by Dylan Smith and Marcus Ross. Smith (from Mahia, New Zealand) and Ross (from Gippsland, Australia) describe the group as the combination of their respective musical backgrounds - 'With two countries so close, it was only a matter of time before NZ and OZ developed a cross-Tasman sound'.<ref name="Rhythm & Vines">{{cite web |url=http://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/2010/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=421 |title=Direct Influence |access-date=2011-03-01 |author=Rhythm & Vines |publisher=Rhythm & Vines |date=November 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202002022/http://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/2010/index2.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=421 |archivedate=2 December 2010}}</ref>

== Debut album == Having released 2 EPs, Direct Influence commenced development of their first studio album in 2009.

Throughout 2010, Direct Influence released and toured debut studio album 'War in My Kitchen', performed over 70 local, interstate and international shows and secured festival appearances at The Hills Are Alive, St Kilda Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Japan Music Week,<ref name="Beat Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.beat.com.au/music/2010/12/20/direct-influence/direct-influence-japan-music-week-music-feature-war-my-kitchen-woodford-folk-festival|title=Direct Influence|access-date=2011-03-01|author=Beat Magazine|publisher=Furst Media|date=December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102030/http://www.beat.com.au/music/2010/12/20/direct-influence/direct-influence-japan-music-week-music-feature-war-my-kitchen-woodford-folk-festival|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rhythm & Vines Festival<ref name="Remix Magazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.remix.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=416:rhythm-a-vines-bonus-line-up-a-gisbournes-summer-of-music&catid=39:coolhunting&Itemid=96.|title=Rhythm & Vines Bonus Line-up|access-date=2011-03-01 |author=Remix Magazine |publisher=Remix Magazine|date=November 2010}}</ref>

'War in My Kitchen' featured guest vocals on 'For My People' from ARIA Best Male Artist of 2010, Dan Sultan<ref name="The Kaje">{{cite web|url=http://thekaje.com/2010/12/18/the-kaje-talks-war-in-my-kitchen-to-direct-influence/ |title=The Kaje Talks War in My Kitchen To Direct Influence |access-date=2011-03-01 |author=The Kaje |publisher=The Kaje Magazine |date=December 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and was officially released on 14 May 2010 through Shock Records.<ref name="Shock Records">{{cite web|url=http://www.shock.com.au/release/544291/direct-influence-war-in-my-kitchen/ |title=Shock Records Catalogue |access-date=2011-03-01 |author=Shock Records |publisher=Shock Records |date=May 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706111902/http://www.shock.com.au/release/544291/direct-influence-war-in-my-kitchen/ |archivedate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Lead single 'Final Word Feat. EQ' received official rotation on nationally broadcast station Triple J as well as coverage of the album,<ref name="Red Dwarfe">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/war_in_my_kitchen_direct_influence |title=War in My Kitchen |access-date=2011-03-01 |author=Greive, Tahlia |publisher=Red Dwarfe |date=April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706114544/http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/war_in_my_kitchen_direct_influence |archivedate=6 July 2011}}</ref> interviews<ref name="Scene Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/section-table/69-music-rock/802-direct-influence-interview|title=Trans-Tasman Chivalry|access-date=2011-03-01|author=Matt Shea|publisher=Scene Magazine|date=April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130211949/http://scenemagazine.com.au/index.php/section-table/69-music-rock/802-direct-influence-interview|archive-date=30 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and performances across many local and community radio stations and TV performances on both Melbourne's Ch 31 and TVNZ's Good Morning.

== Live performances == 2010 performances included support of The Original Wailers, Chali 2Na, Kora, The Black Seeds and Bonjah.

thumb|Marcus Ross and Dylan Smith

War in My Kitchen album tour<ref name="Rave Magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/20384/30/ |title=5 minutes with Direct Influence |access-date=2011-03-01 |author=Rave Magazine |publisher=Rave Magazine |date=April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706111308/http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/20384/30/ |archivedate=6 July 2011}}</ref> consisted of 21 performances through April and May in Melbourne, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Margaret River, Fremantle, Hobart, Launceston, Auckland, Napier, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and several regional towns forming the single biggest tour of the band's career.

== Band members == Currently, Direct Influence are backed by a four piece live performance band consisting of drums, bass, keys and lead guitar. Live drums are performed by Matt Bray from The Metals and 28 Days, Lucas Taranto (Gotye) or Pat Kilby (The Red Eyes) on Bass Guitar, Mikey Chan on Lead Guitar (Pharoahe Monch/Phrase/M-Phazes) and Jarrah Whyte on keys. Through 2010 this session musician line-up also included rotation of Ivan (Choi) Khatchoyan (of Cookin on Three Burners), Simon Mavin (of Whitesploitation) and Luke Saunders on keys.

Past members/session players: Andrew Rothberg, Drew Thomas, Lachie Ross, Clinton Cox, Syd Preece, Simon Rabl, Leigh Fisher, David De Podolinsky, Dwayne Hawke, Bill Tarrant, Jonothan Steer, Eliza Hull, Jeremy Hopkins, Lady Nadee, Candice Monique, Jess Harlen, Alex Rowe, David Tweedy,

Marcus and Dylan are now collaborating with Hayley Aitken and Roger Kalix on an upcoming project.

== Discography == * ''Herbal Ninja'' (EP)- 2006 * ''Better Day'' (EP) - 2008 * ''Final Word'' (single) - 2009 * ''War in My Kitchen'' (album) - 2010

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * https://web.archive.org/web/20110129084158/http://www.directinfluencemusic.com/ * https://www.youtube.com/directinfluencemusic

Category:Musical groups established in 2006 Category:Musical groups from Victoria (state) Category:People from Māhia Peninsula