Take one part the expert songwriting/grit of L.A.-based outfit Simon Dawes, subtract one member, add a shaker of folk, mix with several music legends (Robbie Robertson, Jackson Browne and John Fogerty, to name a few), a pinch of grueling tour schedule and garnish with the tried-and-true notion that music can save your everloving soul–voila–you’ve got Dawes, the most refreshing band in what feels like a barren landscape of overproduction, trite lyrics and cashing in.
Between 2009’s North Hills and last year’s Nothing Is Wrong, the foursome of Dawes has genuinely proven its weight in ingenuity with consistently thoughtful lyrics, savvy musicianship and their signature analogue sound, all of which will be passing through D.C. at 9:30 Club this Friday and Central Park Summer Stage on June 16 (Pro Tip: the New York show is free).
We spoke with bassist Wylie Gelber about legacy, the lessons learned from a roomful of legends and MacGyvering your way out of trouble when you’re on tour….
Hey, Wylie. How’re ya doing? Where are you calling from?
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(Samuel Wolf Monkarsh)