SXSW Preview:
Q&A with Dosh

When listening to the captivating music of Dosh, it is hard to believe that there is only one mastermind behind the many instruments and layered sounds. You would expect the complex music to stem from a full electronic/ambient group, as Dosh incorporates drumbeats, piano and keyboard riffs, xylophone runs, and an array of other instruments.

But, no, there is only Martin Dosh.

Martin Luther King Chavez Dosh goes by the stage name of Dosh, which is understandable because his full name is quite a mouthful. He is known for his instrumental style that pulls audiences and listeners toward swaying and bobbing their heads. There are hardly any vocals, as he seems to favor layered instruments to harmonies, and this works very well for him. His music speaks volumes without words.

My favorite Dosh album is his 2010 release entitled Tommy. It’s not his most recent, but it is by far his most powerful. Named after a deceased friend, this album does not try to impress its listeners with dazzling beats or loud beats. Instead, it reveals a more vulnerable side of the songwriter, something that was not glimpsed in the music of his previous albums and, in my opinion, has not been seen since to this extent. The first song on the album is “Subtractions,” and it reminds me of an 8-bit video game with its electronic loops and distorted drums. But the subdued saxophone solo takes it somewhere else completely. Through all this, it is calm and thoughtful and never too loud for the listener. Even though there are no vocals on the track, the emotion is still palpable. This song is very telltale of the entire album, and of Dosh’s talent.

In 2011, Dosh released Silver Faces, an album that is generally more upbeat and groovy than Tommy. The songs on this most recent album are more danceable but still have a soft and almost relaxed sound.

It’s been nearly two years since Silver Faces, so it is almost time for Dosh to release some new music. The fans are getting anxious, that’s for sure, and he says to expect to hear new material at SXSW. There’s another reason for you to check out the showcase.

We had a chance to speak with Dosh last week. 

What is your writing process like? Is it easier for you to work alone on your solo projects, or as a member of a band? Are there any major differences?
“My writing process has mutated a bit over the years. It is much easier for me to work on my own, in comfort and solitude of my basement, at least in the early stages of a song. Generally speaking, I get to a certain point with any given piece of music, and then seek out collaborators to flesh it out. With my latest record… I can almost see the finish line… I thought it would be an interesting direction to try and do the whole record by myself and see what the results were. I think it sounds a bit different at this point, but some songs could use a little guitar, honestly.

“The only other bands I’m playing in now are Andrew Bird’s band, and a band from Minneapolis, called The Cloak Ox. The composition process couldn’t be more different, as those bands function a bit more democratically.”

From where does the inspiration for your songs originate?
“My relationship with my music, which is generally instrumental, is my attempt to communicate with myself and with other people. I’m continually in search of inspiration. Even though I have put a lot of music out there into the world, it’s still just as difficult to create a new piece that moves me enough to want to share with everybody else. My whole life experience informs everything that I do: family, friends, bands I’ve seen, music I’ve heard, everything.”

A lot of us dream of playing our music for masses of people, and you do it for a living. Can you indulge us for a minute and tell us what it’s like? Any interesting or crazy or funny or random stories?
“It’s really really fun. Obviously, as part of Andrew’s band, we’ve played some pretty massive shows, and it’s always a thrill. At festivals, there are so many things that can go wrong, which oddly somehow makes it a bit easier to get up there and do your thing. Also, even though the experience is so temporary, a good show has a way of sticking with you for a while.

“As far as random stories, here’s one: On our 2012 tour, we brought a turntable with us on the bus and would play records every day. When we played Coachella, after the show was over, we set up the turntables with a PA and some lights and a hazer in the bus parking lot, right in front of our bus, and proceeded to play records until 2 in the morning. We also grilled lots of good food. At some point, somebody complained about the volume, so we got temporarily shut down. The thing was, there were so many bands at our party they wouldn’t let us stop! So we moved the PA to the side of the bus and started up again. It was one of the best tour days ever, for sure.”

It’s been a little while since your last release; are you planning another album? I know fans would love to know if they can expect anything new from you.
“Yes, I’ve been working on it for a few years now. I have lots and lots of material, but finding the right mix of tunes for a complete LP is harder than one might think. I may put out 2 EPs; we’ll see. There should be something out by the summer. I recently posted a bunch of my self-released records on Bandcamp, there’s one that came out in late 2011 called Silver Faces that a lot of folks might not know about.”

On a related note, will you be playing any new songs at SXSW?
“It will be all new stuff. Scratch that, I’ll probably throw in one old one. My pal Jeremy Ylvisaker will be accompanying me on guitars and keys.”

What else can we expect from you at SXSW? Any surprises or tricks up your sleeve? Or are you set on secrecy?
“One of these days I’d like to set my Rhodes on fire, but I don’t think SXSW is the right place for that!  I’m just hoping all of my gear works at this point!”