Dawes are excited to share “Alternative Theories of Physics”, a film about the making of their latest album “We’re All Gonna Die”, which includes interviews with the band and behind-the-scenes footage from the studio. Alternate Theories of Physics was directed, shot and edited by Kevin Hayes.
Alternative Theories of Physics is a film about the making of We’re All Gonna Die with Blake Mills, and includes song-by-song interviews with Dawes, along with behind-the-scenes footage from the studio
A movie about the making of We’re All Gonna Die by Dawes.
The Los Angeles rock band named Dawes took a sharp turn without signaling on their latest work. The group’s earlier releases cemented their role in the neo-Laurel Canyon folk-rock scene, along with acts like Jonathan Wilson, Jenny Lewis and Rilo Kiley. They all riff on the work of acts like Jackson Browne, CSN and the Byrds. Dawes‘ leader, Taylor Goldsmith, has gone the furthest in that direction, aided by the similarity between his wan timbre and that of Browne. But for ‘Die,’ Dawes killed their darlings, swerving sharply from folk-rock to the warm, ’70s pop-soul of Michael McDonald and early Steely Dan. In the process, they downplayed their guitars and drums, focusing instead on the funk of their bass and the soul in their keyboards. The result offered a fascinating parallel to the trajectories of Wilco and My Morning Jacket. Both bands made their own leaps from traditional folk, rock and country to something more inventive. At the same time, the new songs by Dawes prove catchier than anything produced by either of those acts. You’ll find more melodically-sweet tunes on ‘Die’ than on any rock album released the year.
Dawes performing “Somewhere Along The Way” at Sofar London on November 5th, 2016
This Los Angeles. outfit’s first four albums faithfully recreated the folksy, confessional vibe of Seventies Laurel Canyon singer-songwriters like Jackson Browne, but with the band’s former guitarist Blake Mills producing, the studio now becomes Dawes‘ playground. “As If By Design” is overrun with wild bar room piano and mariachi horns, while on several tracks Taylor Goldsmith’s vocals are filtered with heavy electronics and the drums and guitars are processed to a digital crunch that recalls the more adventurous side of the Black Keys. Goldsmith’s lyrics are still thoughtful and earnest (“I’m asking you for help/How do you fall in love with anything?” he sings on the title track), but he’s also looser and more playful on cuts like the lead single, “When the Tequila Runs Out” (“We’ll be drinkin’ champagne”). With this bold left turn into sonic experimentation, Dawes proves that you can be faithful to your roots and sound and still branch out.
We’re All Gonna Die certainly comes out swinging with big guitars, chunky grooves and what seems to be a concerted effort to mix things up from their usual wistful balladry and thoughtful mid-tempo.
But what’s most surprising about the album is just how well Taylor Goldsmith’s intricate lyrics fit into the aggressive music, especially on the circus-like “No Reason At All” and the crunching “One Of Us.” And on “RollTide,” the band slips back into balladry like it’s a velvet glove, just in case the new direction doesn’t take off.
L.A. band Dawes return with their fifth album. “We’re All Gonna Die” was produced by Grammy nominated producer Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes) and includes backing vocals from Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard of The Alabama Shakes, Mandy Moore, Will Oldham, and Jess Wolfe and HollyLaessig of Lucius. Of the album, Taylor Goldsmith (guitar, vocals) explains, “Pretty much every song on this record explores a difficult situation and tries to find a way to find the good in it, or at least remind yourself that it’s not always that big of a deal. After all, as scary as it is, we are all gonna die.” “If last year’s All Your Favorite Bands was a sweet source of comfort-rock, We’re All Gonna Die is something of a wake-up call, with sharper sounds and harsher vibes, straight from the jarringly fuzzy note that opens its title track” .
The California band Dawes has released several albums of breezy Golden State guitar rock centered on TaylorGoldsmith’s emotionally loaded songs. Those songs are filled with statements that are irresistibly uplifting when heard in a crowd. (Think “anyone that’s making anything new only breaks something else” from “When My Time Comes.”)
Dawes’ fifth album has the true — but still unsettling — title We’re All Gonna Die. It represents a change in sound courtesy of producer Blake Mills, who recently got kudos for producing Alabama Shakes‘ latest album, Sound & Color, and who was also Goldsmith’s high-school bandmate. More touches of keyboards and more space are part of the band’s new approach.
Dawes have announced the impending release of their next album, the optimistically titled “We’re All Gonna Die”. Due out September 16th via their own HUB Records, the band’s fifth album to date follows after year’s All Your Favorite Bands.
We’re All Gone Die focuses on topics of doubt and sorrow without giving into the morose feelings. “These songs were all written in a very short period of time, very close together,” explained frontman Taylor Goldsmith in a press release. “In that sense, I feel like there was a consistency in mood and outlook our other records don’t have. Pretty much every song on this record explores a difficult situation and tries to find a way to find the good in it, or at least remind yourself that it’s not always that big of a deal. After all, as scary as it is, we are all gonna die.”
The album was recorded at Los Angeles’ EastWest Studios and Silverlake’s The Boat and produced by BlakeMills (Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color), who also happens to have been a member of the pre-Dawes band SimonDawes. Guests on the 10-track effort include Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Lucius frontwomen Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, Will Oldham, and Mandy Moore.
Moore and Goldsmith have been dating since her separation from Ryan Adams. She even features in the video for the album’s lead single, “When the Tequila Runs Out”. The track is a distinctly poppy release from the indie folk band, yet it slides in well with the relaxed vibes that make up so much of their catalog. It relies heavily on guitar effects and a catchy chorus plus percussion and MPC work from renowned session musician Jim Keltner, creating a mellow jam for the end of summer.
We’re All Gonna Die Tracklist:
01. One Of Us
02. We’re All Gonna Die
03. Roll With The Punches
04. Picture Of A Man
05. Less Than Fives Miles Away
06. Roll Tide
07. When The Tequila Runs Out
08. For No Good Reason
09. Quitter
10. As If By Design
Dawes have also revealed an extended list of tour dates, including record release shows in LA and New York. There’s also a handful of in-store acoustic performances scheduled exclusively for those who pre-order
New album ‘We’re All Gonna Die’ out September 16th
The Fat Angel Sings 