Interview With Dawes Drummer Griffin Goldsmith
If you haven’t heard of Dawes, chances are you will soon. This ATO Records band is growing rapidly, and for good reason. Their debut record “North Hills” featuring the single, “When My Time Comes” has a distinct Americana/Soul vibe, a sound that’s gaining ever increasing popularity across the country. This group has no trouble staying busy, as they spend most of their time on tour with such notable acts as Band of Horses, Deertick, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They were a hit at the 2010 SXSW Music Festival, and recently made their television debut on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Griffin Goldsmith, Dawes drumming phenom, along with bassist Wylie Gelber, holds down the rhythm section with style, and class. His solid groove, tasteful fills, and vintage tones reminds one of such legendary drummers as Ringo Starr, and Levon Helm. Griffin was kind enough to take time out of Dawes’ hectic schedule to let me interview him regarding his playing, tones, and influences.
1) At what age did you start playing drums?
I started playing drums at the age of twelve
2) I understand that your father is former Tower of Power, and Sweathog singer Lenny Goldsmith. Was he a significant musical influence or inspiration for you growing up? Also, who are some of your other musical influences, both drummers and non drummers?
I would say that my father is one of the most influential people in my life. He raised me on a strict diet of Funk, Soul, and R & B music. His preferences lean towards a locked in ryhthm section as the basis of a song. He is very much responsible for my preferences as a player.
3) Have you ever taken lessons, or had any professional musical education?
I’ve taken lessons from a couple different players, but never extensively. I was self taught for the first couple of years that I played, and then took some lessons from Stuart Johnson, Willie Ornellas, and one of my dads oldest friends Frosty. I am currently taking from James Gadson. I am so grateful to have taken from all of them, as they are all some of my favorite drummers. As for musical education, I grew up playing piano and singing, and know all of my basic theory.
4) It seems that Dawes maintains a pretty intense tour schedule. What’s the craziest road experience or gear failure story you can tell me about?
I wouldn’t even know where to begin with the tour stories. A lot of wild things happen on the road. Just last night our tour manager sliced his knuckle off. We were on tour with Deertick recently, and I went through three snare drums in phoenix.
5) I love your drum and cymbal choices both live, and on Dawes’ debut record “North Hills.” What brand of drums and cymbals do you use, and what inspires your particular tone/instrument choices in both live, and studio situations?
I’m currently playing a ’61 Rogers black oyster kit. I have a ’40s wfl snare drum that has been one of my favorite drums for a while. That drum is always with me on the road, and recenly in Portland I picked up a ’20s Ludwig, and Ludwig snare that I’ve been using a lot. I play a 24″ k Light Ride and next to it a 20″ Constantinople Light Ride. My hats are custom A’s that I like a lot, but I would like to get some new ones once I have the money. In terms of live drum sounds, I like my drums to be open. I don’t ever put anything inside of them. Most of my drums are tuned low, and I don’t necessarily mind a beat up head. For the recording process of North Hills, I used all of our producers gear. He is a great drummer himself and his studio is ready-made. His drums already sounded so good that it didn’t take much after he put the mics on them.
6) I noticed at the show that you sing harmony on just about every tune, and even took over the lead vocal for one song. What is your role in the Dawes songwriting process?
My brother Taylor writes all of the songs himself. However, what you would hear in one of his demos usually differs greatly from how you would hear it at our live show, or on a record. We work through all the arrangements as a band. The harmonies either come about naturally, or we will sit down and work them out. In either case we always try to be meticulous about them.
7) Could you tell me a little bit about how you construct your parts, and what you listen for, or reference when you write drums for a song?
I try to listen to the song more than anything else. The song is always the main priority and I try to let it come through as well as it possibly can. My favorite drummer of all time is al Jackson, and all he really does is get great sounds, and then play the backbeat. Nobody grooves harder then he does. He’s also much more reserved when recording, and when the time comes to play live, he plays a little bit more which gives the show more energy.
Do you play any instruments besides drums?
My first instrument is piano, but it didn’t come as naturally to me as the drums did.
9) Where is Dawes going from here? are you guys writing for a new record, or primarily focusing on touring in 2010?
We take any time that we have to arrange new songs, but it’s a hard thing to do on the road. For now we’re gonna keep touring North Hills, and gradually work more and more new songs into our live set.
Check out Dawes on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson!
