| swearing at motorists |
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from sponic
2005 marks the tenth year that former Dayton, Ohio resident Dave Doughman has been penning songs under the name Swearing at Motorists. While remaining relatively unknown outside of Dayton in his formative years, Doughman, along with drummer emeritus Don Thrasher, became local favorites through their uncanny ability to piece together small yet potent collages of sound that ranged from the sonically experimental to the more melancholic acoustic ballads. But after 2000, Swearing at Motorists would get the acknowledgement they deserved by releasing two spotless full-lengths and starting what would become a seemingly endless bout of worldwide touring. In January I ventured over to the Knitting Factory in New York City to see the 'Motorists open for Sam Jayne's Love as Laughter. I hadn't seen Swearing at Motorists since probably 2002 in Boston when they were touring in support of their last efforts, Along the Inclined Plane EP and the full-length This Flag Signals Goodbye. Released only two months apart from each other, these releases marked the entrance of Joseph Siwinski as the new full-time drummer, as well as the first time a Swearing at Motorist album was recorded outside of Dayton. With Siwinski residing in Philadelphia, the 'Motorists became more of a Philly band, though Doughman would still say during performances, "We're Swearing at Motorists from Dayton, Ohio."
I've always enjoyed going to see the 'Motorists play, but especially since moving out of Ohio. Nothin' cures homesickness better than having some friends come to town to play a show. So as I was making my way to the Knitting Factory I was excited, if nothing else, to just get to see Doughman, have a drink with him, and play catch up. But what I was also hoping to do that night was conduct an interview with him. Not only has it been a while since we've interviewed him, but I know he's been working on a new album and I wanted to take to chance to sit down with him and talk about it.
Once I arrived at the Knitting Factory it didn't take long to find Doughman, and after the introductory hugs and "Hey, how's it going?" he took me and my friend into the backroom so that we could hang out a little bit before he goes on stage. Now, even though we had made arrangements to talk after the show, I found myself wishing I had immediately brought out my tape recorder and pressed record. Doughman wasted no time talking about his break-up with his girlfriend, its effect on the new album, and his decision to move to Berlin. According to Doughman, half of the upcoming Motorists' album is an optimistic pre-October documentation of their relationship, while the rest of the album has become quite the opposite.
When I realized what was going on I asked Doughman to put the band talk on hold, hoping that some of this conversation could be saved for the interview after the show. Unfortunately, following a sort of aggravating performace, in which audience members were too busy being social, Doughman decided he wasn't going to be able to go through with doing the interview anymore.
Now, despite my ever growing preference against e-mail interviews, I decided to send Doughman some questions about the band, the new album, and the move to Germany (aka Deutschland). Below is the result of the e-mail exchange.
Listen:
So, now you're living in Berlin. How did you end up there and how do you predict moving to Germany is going to affect working with drummer Joseph Siwinski?
My friend and often 'Motorists' drummer, Joe Dilworth has been trying to get me to move here since he did a year ago. The cost of living is lower, although the standard of living is much higher. It's like London living on a Dayton budget. As far as my relationship with Joseph, he and I have never really been a "practice several times a week" band. Usually we meet up a few days before a tour or recording session, and run through the songs. Even when I lived in Philly, we did not "practice" that much, so I don't see much of a change really.
Are you hoping for the move to Berlin to alter or free-up your songwriting?
Not hoping, realizing. Of course any new situation shapes the process of creation, and a lower cost of living means less time is required to be spent earning, leaving more time for creating...
What have been some of the pros and cons of living in Berlin so far?
I wouldn't call it a con, but you can forget about 24 hour grocery stores. Basically I am a realist. I understand I am living in the former East Germany, and know the "convenience" of the USA does not exist here. No one is in a hurry, nothing is urgent. You want groceries for Sunday, then buy them on Saturday. That being said, welcome to the land of the never closing bars, and amazing 24 hour food options.
It's been about three years since This Flag Signals Goodbye and Along the Inclined Plane were released. Around the summer of 2004 I remember you were doing sound for Burning Brides, but what else have you been up to the past couple years?
Moving from Dayton to Philly, then here to Berlin, "working" on the record the whole time.
How would you describe the upcoming album?
I don't really care to describe music, mine or other. I think it's better to just listen and describe it for yourself.
You've pinpointed "No More James Dean" and "Neighborhood of Sirens" before as being the two most emotionally-taxing songs to perform. Does that cause you to put them on the set list less?
Both do take their toll on me, but especially "No More James Dean," which compels me to play it as often as possible.
Where was the new album recorded?
Dayton, London, Philadelphia, Tokyo, Berlin.
What are some bands that you're getting into right now?
In no particular order, starting with my "cities":
from Dayton: Motel Beds, Wet Leather and Wil Cope have all given me great CDs to listen to
from Philly: Enon, Future Tips, Audible, the Beat Jams, Bitter Bitter Weeks, mazarin
from London: The Beat Up
from Berlin: Super 700
everywhere else: Spoon, the Oranges Band, the Dears, Bloc Party, Scout Niblett, John Vanderslice, shit I have to stop, I could go on forever, but those are in heavy rotation.
Favorite mixed drink?
Still the John Glenn!
-- Rob Heater
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