Caught in the Carousel

Duo Denim

Heat Rocks (Vol. 1)
Self-Released

Duo Denim

Duo Denim's first recording, Heat Rocks (Vol.1), is deceptively simple, a concise gem of an EP. It's instrumental indie rock, post-rock, drum and bass, dubstep, and hip-hop all filtered through the talented minds of Portland, Oregon-based keys player Ben Darwish and Philadelphia-based drummer Drew Shoals. And, there is no one around playing music like this.

The unique beauty of the EP comes from several factors. First, the band is a duo, and even when your ear is convinced that it's only two musicians on each track, the sound is full and satisfying. There are moments of epic, teeming sound, but a two man line-up allows the band to refine their music down to a sparse, clear, intimate pulse.

Second, the music is written to be played live—no samples or triggered beats necessary—and because of this, even tracks that are inspired by computer-composed music maintain an energy and texture that's distinct and warm. There is meaningful interplay and communication happening between Darwish and Shoals at every moment.

Most importantly though, the band's music hits you at a gut level—with driving indie-pop choruses and post-rock swells—all while being built with rhythmic complexity, which can be playful or intense and intricate.

The opener, "Purple Drank," is both ethereal and persistent, pulled somewhere from a Wayne Coyne daydream. Darwish's rhodes reverberates, full and warm, as the song moves between an easy reverie and moments of almost ominous reflection.

Shoals coaxes melody out of his drum kit, complicating even simple rhythmic phrases with dynamic shifts and varied texture, and, on "Let It Pass," there are moments when his quick, lead-in hits take over as the melodic line of the song.

"Don't Say Namaste," my personal favorite on the album, features a nimble, 5/4 bounce in the drums and the ring of an organ that stretches out, wide and vibrating, but focuses into a clean single note by the end of the piece. I also love the way the tune builds in intensity even as it strips away melodic and rhythmic lines, piece-by-piece, at the close. "Spud Webb," is an underdog, indie rock march that is both hopeful and tense, and "P-Town Rivals" is a Northwest, disco rocker and a perfect last track.

Heat Rocks has two layers, one inviting and one rich and complex. I've listened to the pre-release at least fifty times in the last few weeks, and it's still pulling me in every time. The only problem is that it's too short, but it's always better when music leaves you wanting more.

According to Mr. Darwish, the download will be pay as you want, so no excuses. Pick one up for the holidays: duodenim.bandcamp.com

Darwish and Shoals were nice enough to answer some questions for CITC, and info about their numerous other musical projects can be found below.

CITC: So, origins—how did Duo Denim come to be? Who takes credit for the name?

BD: I came up with the name while perusing the plasticized dead bodies at "Body Works".

CITC: Both of you have recorded with trios and bigger groups, and, Ben, your group Commotion has featured as many as 10 musicians. In terms of writing, performing, and recording, what's different about playing as a duo?

BD: It's probably the most challenging of all my bands. Almost everything on the EP was performed live. It's a challenge to create full sounding songs without the use of samples, beat machines, backing tracks, etc.

DS: The challenge of playing with a duo is trying to fill out the arrangements without over playing. Ben does a great job of writing catchy and compelling tunes, so I just do my best to come up with simple, but driving beats to compliment Ben's music. Performing and recording as a duo has been really fun; we just set up facing each other and rock as hard as we can.

CITC: You both play a lot of different music—from traditional jazz to funk to rock and beyond. Who are you listening to and learning from these days? Any music or musician you were focused on when you were writing the tunes for Heat Rocks?

BD: I've been all over the map lately. Trying to catch up on the dubstep craze recently. There's a wide range of styles on the EP and influences range in everything from Mac Dre to Bon Iver.

DS: When I play hip-hop, I do my best to channel The Roots' drummer, Quest Love (who doesn't?). Given the duo format, I also drew upon other two-person groups, like The Black Keys and Mates of State, when coming up with drum parts.

CITC: On other art (or life in general): anything non-musical that's inspiring your work lately?

BD: Somehow basketball seems to keep creeping into the influence of our songs and song titles. The act of winning, and for that matter, #winning seems to be an influence in an ironic sorta way (since, now the term has a negative connotation). Modern day culture is a huge influence in our music.

DS: Friendship. This is my third recording with Ben in five years. We released a Ben Darwish Trio jazz record called Industrial Hero in 2006 and Ben played keys on my solo record The Greatest Haven't Been Born Yet. He's one of my favorite musicians and songwriters to play with. Even though we live on opposite sides of the country, we always have a great time when we get together and write, record and perform.

CITC: Anything else we should know about the EP or Duo Denim? Anything you want to add?

BD: We made the EP on a shoestring budget. It will be available on our Bandcamp (duodenim.bandcamp.com) on a 'pay what you want' basis. Donate what you can but we just want you to have this music!

DS: We recorded in Portland's Type Foundry studio, which has been home to so many incredible Portland recordings in the past few years. Jason Powers did a fantastic job engineering the record and Paul Laxer made it sound even better with his mixing and mastering.

CITC: And when do we get Volume 2?

BD: In due time...

Web: www.bendarwish.com
www.myspace.com/drewshoals

—Mick Sherer