Following the release of Darwin Deez’ latest album Double Down, I was lucky enough to sit down with the man himself before his gig at The Leadmill in Sheffield. We talk influences, lies, and having control over three certain things…
Why did you start creating music?
Why did I start making music? I don’t know if I can answer that, I just like it… That’s not really an answer. My dad makes music, my dad had a guitar. My uncle makes music and, yeah, a lot of people in my family make music.
Your music is often described as ‘indie pop/rock’. What drew you to start creating music under that particular genre? Why do you sound the way you sound?
I got really into indie rock when I was 18. A friend of mine bought the Death Cab For Cutie album, in, like, 2001. He got it and was really excited about it and got turned onto that and then I had a friend recommend me a bunch of random indie records – like, she burned me The Strokes onto a CD and then on the extra space she put Burst In Bloom EP by Cursive. This friend of mine always had great taste in music, and I used to love her band too, so it was around that time I got back into indie rock and back into rock in general. First time around was Green Day’s Dookie when I was 11.
What are your influences? That’s a pretty generic question, so it can be anything – it doesn’t have to be music, it can be people or experiences, anything.
I like The Dismemberment Plan a lot. There’s, like, some people from the open mic – that used to be at Sidewalk. It was hosted by this guy Latch who now is doing the same kind of thing in Edinburgh. Big influence, the whole scene, performances from that scene back in 2007. I like Death Cab For Cutie a lot too.
Would you say you draw on personal experiences? Or do you like to separate your own experiences from your music?
I think for a pop song you need some element of inter-personal drama. So sometimes I draw on my own life from time to time for that, and other times I just sort of invent stuff.
Do you think that songs become more real the more personal they are?
More real… Maybe. I guess so. I think the more specific you are the more real it is. You tell a really specific lie and it seems really true, or it’s just true because it’s really specific.
What about lyrics, do you think they’re just as important as the music?
Well, they’re important to me. They didn’t used to be – I never used to listen to lyrics, so it’s up to the listener whether they care or not. I think it can be really good. There’s certainly an opportunity that’s often missed I think, just because there’s so much else that you can focus on. Personally, doing my own stuff, I have a hard time focusing on all three important aspects to the music at once, which to me is lyrics, music and production – sound qualities, and choices that you make about the recording. It’s hard. Per album I only seem to be able to focus on two out of the three. There’s not enough of me to go around all of those things at once. But I really like to have control over all those things.
You come from New York City – would you say that influences you? Or are there any other places that have influenced you?
No. The open mic influenced me and that’s sort of special to New York I think. I probably wouldn’t have been surrounded by that many talented and focused people if I hadn’t been in New York. Other than that, I don’t think there is too much.
How’s the reception been for your new album Double Down?
I think it’s okay – people have been telling me they like it after the shows. I know that it’s good. I knew this was gonna be one people enjoy, I feel really good about it. I just keep making these records I guess. Until… never, I guess…
Do you prefer playing in the UK or US?
I like the crowds here, they’re bigger, I like that. I like the food better in the US because I’m used to it.
Favourite song you’ve ever written?
‘Chelsea’s Hotel’ is up there. ‘You Can’t Be My Girl’ is okay. I like ‘The Other Side’.
‘Last Cigarette’ is a metaphor for a relationship breaking down. Can you explain that song?
It’s a song about self indulgence. Like, you wake up in the morning with a plan to make good choices and then there’s that element of human nature that’s just like ‘ah fuck it’. They’re both very human things. It’s also about the inevitability of moving on, leaving behind toxic situations, people, habits. The drama involved in moving on and also the joy – the guilty pleasure of sleeping with your ex or something.
Darwin Deez‘ new album Double Down is out now.
Words by Emmie Morris
@_emmiem