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Dappled Cities

''Cause songs are just songs, they're not that precious really. It's like three minutes of...''

Posted 3rd August 2007, 7:00pm in Interviews, by Erin Goss
Dappled Cities As Dappled Cities' Dave Rennick and Alex Moore sat down for their interview they paused to brush sand from their clothes. Apparently the band had decided to take a break from the throes of heavy LA traffic to "play on the beach and eat cake". It is clear that the five piece from Sydney, Australia have been enjoying their first big romp across the States and the band were eager to share with DIY all the info on their trip through the Midwest, their fast approaching move to New York, and their favorite new soundtrack.

So this is your first big American tour?
Dave: Sure is. First tour across the States. We played in LA, New York, and SXSW, a few times last year but this is the first bonafide tour.

Have you got any good stories to tell yet from the tour?
D: We've seen a few sights driving through the Midwest. We stopped at a place called Battle Mountain in Nevada which was kind of interesting. Just the name was enough for us to stop there. And because we had to pick up a whole bunch of acoustic stuff we've been visiting a whole lot of porn shops in the Midwest.

So you are relocating to New York, what prompted the move?
Alex: Just getting out of Australia. Australia hardly has an indie scene.
D: Well there is, it's just very limited. We just kind of hit the ceiling in Australia. So we ticked off Australia, there are bigger fish to fry.

You were really involved in your local music scene back home, do you think that's something you'll miss in a big city?
D: In a way yeah. We kicked off playing clubs and pubs around Sydney just as there seemed to be a resurgence of live music, and all the techno clubs were closing down around the year 2000 and it was kind of cool to be part of the bands that were brining live music back.
A: Australia has a nice scene as well cause you know all the bands. I'm sure all the bands that you've heard of from Australia we know as well. I don't think you have that same thing here.
D: Yeah, it's very close knit.

I noticed you recorded the album in Hollywood, how did that decision come about?
A: it was more of our label's decision. They are based in LA and they have a whole lot of bands that have recorded in the studios we've recorded in.
D: It's also nice to be surrounded by so much history in Hollywood. Every piece of musical equipment that you use in Hollywood in the studios has been used or touched by someone you know.
A: Everything has a story.
D: It's really cool.

You liked Hollywood then?
D: Yeah it's cool. We still haven't quite gotten under the skin of LA.
A: I think last night was the most fun night we've had there. We went out all night and saw sight.

You started the band when you were fairly young and for your sophomore album you've added a keyboardist, do you feel you sound has matured a lot since your debut album?
D: We are definitely a band who develop quite intensively and purposely. So yes, I guess. We are trying to change with each album we make, consolidate the new kind of sound and new direction. You know we started off when we were fifteen playing Nirvana-esque kind of songs, and we went through kind of Pavement indie rock and now it's sort of grand Beach Boys pop, maybe next time we'll go disco or something.

You have yet to release the title track 'Granddance' as a single, is there any reason in particular you chose to name the album after that song or not to release it as a single?
D: Well I don't think it will be a single but that song in particular really encapsulates what the album is about. It's not only the name, you know it's quite a grand album and the name emulates the grandness (laughs).

You re-released your first album 'A Smile' in Australia at the same time you released you second, 'Granddance', what was the reason behind that? Do you think you will ever release 'A Smile' abroad?
D: It's possible that we might record some of the songs on 'A Smile'. We still play some of the songs but it's nice to move on. That album is just in the realm it's meant to be in. We're just going to continue moving on rather than dwell. Cause songs are just songs, they're not that precious really. It's like three minutes of...
A: (laughs) Cause songs are just songs they're not that precious?

Everyone always wants to know what you're listening to. Have you come across any good new bands recently or are there any guilty pleasures you would like to fess up listening to?
D: Well Tokyo Police Club is a great new band. They're good kids, Canadian! I don't know about guilty pleasures...
A: I listened to the Ocean's Thirteen soundtrack today! Really good, really good.

Have you seen the movie?
A: No. We thought we'd give that one a go.
D: Put me a funky mood!

What's coming up next for you guys?
A: 20 hour drive
D: Apart from that we are going to keep touring until December.
A: Maybe a trip to England.

World tours pretty soon then?
D: Yeah, world tours. Stadium rock tours are what's on the horizon! But our live show is a big part of our band. We enjoy playing live and we like for people to watch us live, not just listen to the record.

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