Interview: The Dodos

Jessica Rapp | May 23, 2013 9:00 am | Add a comment | 2544 reads

The Dodos, a two piece indie rock outfit from San Fransisco, hooked us back in 2011 with their fourth album, No Color, and the duo is about to share it with Beijing at Yugong Yishan, May 26. I asked them what to expect from their next big release, due August 27 on their new label, Polyvinyl, and get their thoughts on Game of Thrones.

I played “Fools” and “Black Night” on repeat when I was in college (and still do). What songs do you like to play on repeat?
Man it's been a long time since I've put a song on repeat. It drives me crazy when I have songs stuck in my head and it happens really easily so I think once is enough...if I have the urge to hear it again I'll make myself wait so I don't burn out on it too quick.

Neko Case was quite the addition to your No Color album – how did this collaboration originally come about?
We toured with her band The New Pornographers in 2010 and she did some songs with us during our set, so it just seemed natural to ask her to record.

Any plans or dreams for future collaborations?
I sort of randomly threw out the name Trent Reznor the other day and was half joking, but the more I think about it the more I think it would be awesome, assuming of course that it was possible.

This is your first time in China, right? Are you excited? Nervous?
Well we've been in Southeast Asia for about a week now playing shows and it's been amazing, so I'd say the nerves are gone. As for China, we're ending the tour there so I got big hopes!

You did a world tour of No Color back in 2011, but didn’t make it to China then. How did it come about that you’re here now?
It was pretty shocking how easy it came together, I think before it never occurred to us because we hadn't heard of bands touring there much. We were invited to Thailand and thought we'd reach out for other possibilities while we were nearby and sure enough other promoters [Ed. Including Scorched Asia, the booking arm of Split Works] made it happen. The power of the nets.

You announced in a press release that your upcoming album, Carrier was heavily influenced by Christopher Reimer’s passing. Can you tell us a little more about what we can expect from the album? I already notice larger electric guitar presence in “Confidence,” compared to that of hit songs from your last album.
There's a lot of electric guitar on this record, it's a different approach, but there's certainly a bit of old and new. I don't know what elements people will pick out when they hear it, but I would say that it's a little less immediate and a little more rich than our last efforts. There was a lot of care put into it, I wanted to write from a real honest place, and be a little more connected to the material.

You’ve been praised for thoughtful and complicated lyrics, but have compared your writing process to “taking a dump.” Has this changed at all for you?
Wow you're really pulling out some gems here. I wouldn't say I think of it in those terms exactly, in fact I don't think I ever did. It was probably just a dismissive response to a question I didn't know how to answer.

Your band used to be called Dodo Bird, but I’ve heard the name actually wasn’t originally inspired by this extinct species. Can you tell us more about the name?
I just like the word dodo, the sound and the way it looks when you write it out. I didn't know the story behind the bird when I thought of the name so I can't really say anything about it's meaning. Some words you just like more than others.

You received an honorable mention in Baeble's 5 Favorite Bird Bands. Who do you think would win in a fight between a phoenix and a dodo? There's not even a microscopic chance for the dodo. It's fat, can't fly or run, and supposedly just wanted to make friends with the hunters who led to their extinction. That being said, I will always route for the underdog, even if there's not a chance, always.

Many of your popular songs can be described as aggressive and spirit-lifting. What songs lift your spirits?
The intro music to Game of Thrones, makes me want to go out and conquer.

Do you know much about the Chinese music scene? What are your expectations?
I know nothing, the more surprised I am the better.

Listen to The Dodos' latest release, "Confidence," a track from their upcoming album, Carrier.