Exclusive Interview: Dark Dark Dark

Dark Dark Dark (Photo: Tod Seelie)

Exclusive Interview: Dark Dark Dark
October 13, 2012
by Chuck Norton

The Minneapolis/New Orleans-based band Dark Dark Dark released their latest album, Who Needs Who, on October 2, 2012. Crafted against a back-drop of a failed relationship between band members Nona Marie Invie and Marshall LaCount, the result is a hauntingly melodic album.

Written primarily by Invie in Minneapolis after the end of the relationship with LaCount, the band stayed together despite the strain of the initial tension between the band’s two founding members. The band when on hiatus for five months before reconvening in New Orleans to record Who Needs Who early in 2012.

The band, who tours extensively, is in the middle of Fall 2012 tour in support of the album.

Prior to their current tour – and release of their new album – I was was able to get insight on the band and their new album from LaCount and Invie.

For more information on Dark Dark Dark, visit their Web site.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Dark Dark Dark.

You’re only a few weeks away form the release of Who Needs Who are you feeling any last-minute jitters about the album and its release?

The response has been really good so far, and playing the songs feels good. We are excited, and whatever happens, it seems like it will be positive.

This was a deeply personal album due to the circumstances that occurred prior to its recording. How difficult of a decision was it to keep the band together after the break-up?

It’s very much a collaboration, and it has a life of its own. It would be so disappointing to have worked and grown with something like this and them give it up, we are trying to be transcendent.

History shows that many phenomenal albums recorded after emotional duress. Was part of the decision to stay together as a band due to the understanding that the possible artistic results could be monumental?

Not at all. We wouldn’t use ourselves in that way or exploit our situation in that way. Rather, honesty and earnestness have always been part of our work, so we’re right on track. We keep the band because we love it and believe in the music and love eachother.

How quickly did the writing and recording happen for this album? Did it flow quickly, or was there a significant amount of revisions through the process?

It happens naturally, we don’t go back and second-guess too much. We try to maintain musicality over perfectionism.

What did you learn from the recording process that will help you on future albums?

More about sounds. Always more about the finer points of the way sound translates to recording.

Is the band doing any preparation for the upcoming Fall tour?

We’re all getting ashiatsu massage from our friend Alberta Mirais in Minneapolis. We also got to rehearse for a couple days at First Avenue.

When touring, do you try to maintain consistency from show-to-show or to you like the mood of the band and the vibe of the crowd impact each performance?

Energy effects us, half the show is up to the audience, actually. Work for it! I don’t know if that’s conscious or not, but I may be the nature of our music.

If there a song (or songs) which you are most excited to play live?

All of them are still being pushed in ways that are interesting. We’re fresh for a fresh record.

What’s the most bizarre thing that’s happen to you while on tour?

All in one trip to North Carolina we, as a band, encountered a shark at the beach, and watched a guy steal a painting off the wall during our set. When the song was over we were like, “was that guy supposed to take that big painting?” And someone yelled, “FUCK!” and ran out the door after him.

Have you seen benefits or detriments from the intimacy your fans have to the band because of Social Media?

Hmm. This is a good question. I don’t know. I will say that we spent the first five years touring, before we had much Internet presence at all, and that the people we played for along the way remember special shows and weird settings or jokes … those kinds of REAL LIFE experiences are a huge part of our sustainability as a touring band. Maybe the very-most-primary part. We were never an Internet sensation first. Why does my phone capitalize Internet like a proper noun?

Looking to 2013, what do you expect is the next step for the band?

I hope we get to play some beautiful theaters, some nice US festivals (to supplement the nice EU and AUS festivals we’re doing). Another commission would be fun, or maybe a job scoring some dance or theater or movie piece, now that we’re already touring heavily with a new record.

Is there an artist that you’ve encountered recently that you’ve been recommending to your friends?

Mountain Man, Angel Olsen, Callers, Lonesome Leash, Pillars and Tongues, Anonymous Choir

What were you listening to in 2002?

Blonde Redhead and Sonic Youth

Which do you prefer: MP3, CD, Tape or Vinyl?

We have records and tapes at home, tapes, CDs, and mp3s in the van, and mp3s flying all over the place for demos and ideas, so all of them.

Web site(s) you read regularly?

Cake Wrecks or NPR.org