Dawesome.

Dawes (originally Simon Dawes) consists of brothers Taylor (vocals, guitar) and Griffin Goldsmith (drums, vocals) along with Wylie Gelber on bass and keyboardist Tay Strathairn (also of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros). Their take on folk rock is refreshing, and it’s no surprise they’ve been the backing band for both Robbie Robertson and Jackson Browne. 

I get shivers down my spine every time I re-watch this performance of When My Time Comes from Lollapalooza. The band has such a wall of sound; and the driving beat and vocals in this song were made for an outdoor, festival setting. The way Taylor effortlessly bounces around the stage reminds me of D. Boon, and you can’t help but get swept up in it. How can you not love watching a band that are so passionate about what they do? If goosebumps haven’t set in before the crowd joins in during the final chorus, they’re sure to soon after…

That Western Skyline (on the band’s first full-length release North Hills) was the “holy shit” moment for me with Dawes. The narration in this song is beautiful and unique, along with a perfect drum sound that ties it all together. The story is told through a man recounting his troubles to Lou the bartender after he follows a girl to Birmingham from California. (The idea or dream of something is often better than reality, right?)

And oh Lou, no my dreams did not come true.
No, they only came apart.

Nothing Is Wrong is the band’s second and most recent LP. Time Spent In Los Angeles is a highlight for me for the incredible sense of melody and lyrics. The song was also released on a promotional EP entitled Suitcase with two other great songs Strangers Getting Stranger and All My Failures.

I used to think someone would love me
for the places I have been,
and the dirt that I’ve been gathering
deep beneath my nails

I also couldn’t finish this post without mentioning Middle Brother, who released their debut, self-titled album in 2011. The band features Taylor, John McCauley (Deer Tick) and Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit), two bands you should also be listening to. Here is a great performance of Million Dollar Bill from their Daytrotter session (the song was also released later that year on Nothing Is Wrong). If you can’t dig these harmonies, I don’t trust you.

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