Dark Dark Dark: “Hard work, constant and devoted touring, honesty, passion, stupidity, love…” The Interview

Dark Dark Dark took time from their European touring schedule to give iamnotjerry.com an exclusive interview. DDD will be making a highly anticipated appearance at The Mill in Iowa City 3/1 as part of The Mission Creek Festival.

jorge: Could you tell us about the origins of Dark Dark Dark, its members and influences?

DDD: We met as friends and collaborators on other projects. We are all involved in the arts and music insistently, and draw from our friends and communities for inspiration and influence. We also listen to all kinds of music, constantly, and find it hard to give our music a genre. This is why we say ‘chamber pop’ or ‘chamber folk.’ It covers our instruments and a general sentiment, but doesn’t stick us to an established style. We listen to everything. Look up New Orleans bounce

jorge: DDD is based in Minneapolis and have gained notoriety globally. How was that accomplished?

DDD:Hard work, constant and devoted touring, honesty, passion, stupidity, love, and living within means, and friends friends friends.

jorge: Wild Go is the band’s sophomore record. Describe the writing and recording process of the record.

DDD:Written by Nona and Marshall, sometimes collaboratively, sometimes not. Arranged by DDD collabo. Recorded with musicality, natural performance, honesty and warmth in mind, with a good man named Tom Herbers.

jorge:What do you feel is the future format of recorded music? Will vinyl continue its comeback? Your thoughts.

DDD:Um, I guess so. These changes actually take forever. CDs should have gone away by now, but they’ll be here another ten years, maybe only 6…which will have been 11 years too long. Vinyl will still be here, everyone is collecting and listening to it. Mp3s will stay, and lossless digifiles. I don’t care anymore. I like how big the pictures are on vinyl, but I live in a van, so I don’t have much. I love listening to records, and everyone I know also does that. For some it was always still here. My friends still listen to cassettes too. They are just being difficult.

jorge: If you could change one thing about the music industry and it would become a reality what would that be?

DDD: I’m trying to think of ways to spell ‘pshaw!’ or ‘pft’ or whatever disdainful sort of gut reaction eye rolling sounds we make. Its a fine question, I just don’t have time. We’re only involved in one kind of music biz, and it’s tolerable, but not the greatest…but we’ve designed a lot of it, and our wonderful Manager/Friend takes care of a lot. It’s a big question that would call for lots of sarcastic banter in real life.

jorge: What is the band’s focus/plans in 2011?

DDD: Wild Go, Bright Bright Bright are being released together on Europe, so we have dates in Europe all summer. We’ll do a live score for a film in August for Walker Art Center, and will re-score our own film “Flood Tide: as well.

“We’re in France, gotta go! Thanks! Au revoir! Thanks to everyone who helps us!” DDD

Thanks to Dean Fisher and DDD for making the interview happen… jorge

Dark Dark Dark continue to tour in support of their 2010 release, Wild Go, as they announce an extensive spring tour, headlining shows all over France and the U.S. In addition, the band will support The National for two shows in Portugal this May.

Wild Go, Dark Dark Dark’s sophomore album, is ambitious and layered, welcoming and familiar, and reminds us to seek out the wonder and magic that surround us all the time. Their sound sets Nona Marie Invie‘s soaring, haunted voice against an array of traditional instruments, balancing folk and high-art. Along with Marshall LaCount, the two bring together disparate influences including minimalism, New Orleans jazz, Americana, Eastern European folk, and pop. Though, of all the influences on Wild Go, perhaps the greatest is their dedication to live performance and touring, where many of Dark Dark Dark’s songs first come to life. Playing together, the band lifts Invie and LaCount’s songs to another level.

Listen to/download/share Dark Dark Dark’s “Celebrate” off of Wild Go

About the Author

jorge

Grew up in Central Iowa, in and around Des Moines. As a young child I was influenced by jazz, via my mother's record collection. My first concert was probably a jazz concert in the Rose Garden at the Des Moines Art Center. My mother passed away listening to music. At around 14 I began to attend "rock" shows. First one, The Denver Pop Festival at Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado. It was here that many of my musical preferences were born. Besides being tear gassed, I was introduced to The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Frank Zappa and The Mothers, Iron Butterfly and Tommy Bolin with Zepher, to name a few. The festival is most memorable as the final Jimi Hendrix Experience performance. It was also the precursor to Woodstock. In the years to follow I attended concerts regularly in the Midwest, from Minneapolis to Chicago. Too many to recall, unless you ask... In December 2010 I began iamnotjerry.com. The name came from years of people stating, "Hey Jerry, you are alive" at concerts and festivals, the purpose remained the same, help support "LIVE" Music.