We chatted to 4 piece Americana band THE DODGE BROTHERS ahead of LOOE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Photo Credit - Linda Ruth Williams
The Dodge Brothers are renowned for playing the hell out of classic Americana. Described as "wonderful stuff" by Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris, they play an exuberant hybrid of country blues, rockabilly, jugband and skiffle.
We heard that they were on the bill for this year's LOOE MUSIC FESTIVAL so we thought we'd get in touch and arrange time to have a chat, read on to learn all about their festival survival tips, who they're looking forward to seeing at this years event and who they would pick for the 2018 headliners....
Gentlemen, please take a moment to introduce your band and tell people why they should come and check out your set at Looe Festival this year
Mike: The Dodge Brothers play what is now called Americana but when we started back in 1930 it was called Spasm, Country Blues, Skiffle, or just plain downhome good. You can drink to it, smoke to it, dance to it and sing with it. We sing about trains, cars, broken hearts, mended souls and the angels that look after us. We have a lot of hope and a lot of fun. Mark Kermode plays the double bass and harmonica, apparently he’s interested in films too. Al Hammond plays drums and kitchen implements of any type. Aly Hirji drives us down the road with his big box guitar and mandolin. Mike Hammond, that’s me, plays electric guitar and dobro in the old style. For a good time, come see us.
Looe Music Festival always puts on a great range of bands, both local, national and sometimes international, which acts are YOU most excited about seeing this year?
Aly: It’ll be great to see The Happy Mondays, The Jesus & Mary Chain & Cast – these are bands that influenced me when I was younger.
Mike: Yes, I’m looking forward to those too
Alex: The Undertones and Reverand and the Makers too.
Mark: I've never seen The Jesus and Mary Chain play live, so that'll be a first.
UK festivals can often be messy affairs, please tell me your top three tips to surviving one?
Aly: Looe Festival solves a lot of the usual issues by not taking place in a muddy field.
Mike: The beach setting is fabulous so, a blanket, some sun screen and a cooler filled with your favourite things.
Alex: Tea, Brandy, WW2 era All Terrain Vehicles. Though I don't think I'll need this last one at Looe.
Mark: Good hair product at all times.
How did the opportunity come about for you to perform at this year’s festival?
Aly: We played at Looe a couple of years ago (we were on before Jools Holland) and I’m glad to say that festival enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed playing.
Mike: We had great time at Looe a couple of years ago. A great crowd, the sun was setting as we played, it was like a beautiful dream.
Mark: We've been wanting to come back ever since first playing Looe, so it's worked out really well.
Looe Festival takes place quite late in the year, have you been to any other festivals this year either to play or just as a festival goer? If so, which stood out most for you?
Aly: We played a new Cornish festival called ‘The Great Estate’ this year. Not only did Echo & The Bunnymen play, it also had a friendly relaxed atmosphere (as Looe does).
Mike: The Great Estate was a lot of fun and finishing off the season at Looe will be the icing on the cake.
Mark: Also, the Great Estate had REALLY good festival food. Which was nice.
Alex: The Great Estate was great, eclectic and enthusiastic. I'm a bit of a nerd though so I've otherwise only been to a few beer festivals this year.
Picking the three headliners for Looe Festival must be quite a tall order, who would YOU choose for 2018?
Aly: The Pixies, Jools Holland and The Wonder Stuff.
Mike: Roseanne Cash, Trombone Shorty and Hank Williams (If you can raise the dead….)
Alex: Noah Gunderson, The Raconteurs, Seasick Steve (If you can't raise the dead...)
Mark: Nick Lowe, Nick Lowe and Nick Lowe.
Lastly, there are a ton of bands and acts out there, please tell me the name of one that we should invest some time in?
Aly: Lately I’ve been really enjoying a Cornish artist called Louella Jade Eke, her single ‘Wearing It In’ is great.
Mike: Best gig I saw this year was Joe Filisko and Eric Norden out of Chicago. The are a modern day Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. One dobro, one harmonica and a lot of beautiful noise.
Alex: We met Beth Rowley when she was singing with Jools Holland at Looe a couple years ago. She's doing some solo stuff and it's well worth checking out.
Mark: THE REZNER - saw them at Boardmasters and they were great, as were Lilium.
We'd like to thank the guys for taking the time out to chat to us, we wish them every success for LOOE MUSIC FESTIVAL and any other shows they have in the future. To keep in touch with the band, click on the links below.
Socials
www.facebook.com/dodgebrothers
www.youtube.com/dodgebrothersuk