Shortwave Dahlia is one of the most talented up and coming Electronic Alternative bands to date. The band, coming out of Memphis, Tennessee, plays a harmonically diverse set of tracks that perfectly blend Rock and Electronic at it’s ideal point. Using synthesizer and guitar, Shortwave Dahlia creates incredible solos and choruses that keep the song moving forward. Shortwave Dahlia echoes the style of earlier Electronic legends Kraftwerk Autobahn, with a splash of New Age Rock. The band plays with a variation of tone, with the slow, relaxed “A Novel Idea Teaser Edit,” and the jumpy, Pop sounds of “Dot Dot Dash.” Shortwave Dahlia makes good use of vocals in a way that complements it’s instrumentals another smooth, driven instrument.
Listen to Shortwave Dahlia at http://www.myspace.com/shortwavedahlia.
The Exclusive Shortwave Dahlia Interview
How long have you been playing music?
Mark Simmonds: On and off... about three years now.
Ethan Grim: Over 25 years now. Brrr...
Jack Alberson: About 16 years...with my first band starting up 'round 1994. Pipe dreams of becoming the next Trent Reznor! Don't think I started gigging until 1996, though. Shortwave Dahlia has been around since 2004...can't believe it's been so long!
If you could describe your music in any way, how would you?
Mark Simmonds: Well, the easy answer is to go with "electronic rock" and then start throwing out the comparisons mentioned by some of those who have seen / heard us play. But it is probably time to start putting a bit more thought into it, so how about this. There are songs that you can listen to on the interstate with the windows down and songs more suited to a candle-lit room in the dark hours of the night. By and large, though, I think they will all have something to say to someone listening for it.
Ethan Grim: Electronic rock, maybe? Like an organic cake with synthetic frosting, or something else like that but that sounds like you would want to eat it. A solid mix of danceable structures with a melodic sense found tonally pleasing to most! (this is why, when asked in person, I just give someone the website or a CD...)
Jack Alberson: Well, electronic rock works. Dance rock? There are a lot of danceable elements at play, although The Wilderness as it turns out is a pretty slow-burning affair. We have an older song, "Loose Arrow", that very much matches that 'dance rock' title and is always very fun to perform live.
Which earlier musicians have influenced you the most?
Mark Simmonds: It is really tough for me to say who has influenced me, since I am still so new to all of this. I can say that I listen most critically to Peter Hooke and Geddy Lee at this point.
Ethhan Grim: The obvious ones (to me) would be Joy Division/New Order, David Bowie, The Cure, Laurie Anderson, OMD, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Peter Schilling, Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode, Phillip Glass, maybe the Cars. Less noticeable would be the Jesus and Mary Chain, Missing Persons, Rush, Crowded House, Velvet Underground, Iron Maiden, Gang of Four, Psychedelic Furs, Ozzy w/ Randy Rhoads, Kraftwerk, the Ramones, Legendary Pink Dots, Pat Benatar, The Smiths/Morrissey. any "good" 80's or 80's-ish music. as diverse + eclectic as this list is and as much as I should trim it up, there is at least an instance on the new CD for each reference that draws a straight line to them.
Jack Alberson: God, I could be here all day rattling these off. A TON of the ones Grim mentioned...and lots of Madchester (Happy Mondays, 808 State, Candyflip, etc.), WaxTrax! stuff. I'm a huge Die Warzau fan. Brian Eno, too. I'm glad he answered this before I did - I'm just gonna piggyback off his answer!
How has your music evolved since you began playing?
Mark Simmonds: "My" music or "our" music. Certainly mine has, both in my play and what I listen to. Personally, the biggest difference has been finding the sheer joy of playing. That makes a difference in really subtle ways. I think you can get away with a more "clinical" approach when recording - after all you are looking for the best possible take. But when performing, it is enjoying what you are doing that makes all of the natural imperfections - in playing, acoustics, etc - actually work.
Ethan Grim: Not to get into specifics, but we have each experienced a few life changing events during the time we've been together. There was a point where we could have as easily split up as continue with 'the Wilderness' sessions. there is definitely a more personal presence to what we've done most recently. I credit much of this to our knowing this might never have happened except that we wanted to continue our partnership. myself, I found a new appreciation for what we could accomplish together. I really like everything we've done, but the most recent songs are products inspired of the moments we worked on them. another day, another session, they may have been completely different than what they became. did that answer the question or did I wander there?
Jack Alberson: Leaps and bounds. I think the longer we stay together the further we develop these given roles. For example, I do most of the programming (Ethan does a bit, too) and the sounds of The Wilderness are light years from what I used on Illuminated, our first record. I've become a better guitarist, though I gladly leave the hard stuff to E. I'm crap at playing and singing together! And our personal struggles do play a part. It's been a rollercoaster couple of years and I'm happily settling into a calmer life.
What's your ultimate direction for you and your music?
Mark Simmonds: That one is so easy it is painful. To make music that matters to people.
Ethan Grim: I like where we are. we truly write the music that we want to hear without much conscious thought towards any specific direction. when the day comes that we think too hard on pushing ourselves toward any specific market is prob'ly the day we should quit. as long as we keep growing and achieving sounds we couldn't capture separately, I will continue this journey regardless of where it leads us. like where we are. we truly write the music that we want to hear without much conscious thought towards any specific direction. when the day comes that we think too hard on pushing ourselves toward any specific market is prob'ly the day we should quit. as long as we keep growing and achieving sounds we couldn't capture separately, I will continue this journey regardless of where it leads us.
Jack Alberson: There is no direction, that I know of. With us, we get together, and whatever sound comes out is what we are at that moment. Wherever our whimsy takes us. I'd like to do a couple of singles, maybe...upbeat anthemic songs. Those are always fun to play live and make the moodier songs all the more exciting too.
Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge who's helped you get to where you are today?
Mark Simmonds: Well, Jack and Paul obviously. They are my teachers and mentors and without their talent, skill and generosity, I would not be where I am. And, cliche as it may be, my wife. It was her suggestion that I pick up the bass in the first place. There have been several other people who have helped with promotion, etc, but I will leave them to Jack and Paul.
Ethan Grim: For the band, Heidi Ellis is the first person I think of, as her efforts and support and devotion helped us a lot more than she even knows. The DJs at WEVL who've played us on their shows, especially Janet of Janet's Planet, who also attended our first performance. Personally, my family has gladly allowed me time away from them to follow my own interests, which may not sound huge, but it is considering not all devoted family man types have that opportunity. most of all my Mom, for letting my bands practice at our house when all other moms refused. also, for letting teenage me play in clubs and bars on school nights all those years ago.
Jack Alberson: Definitely Mark and Ethan, with all we've gone through together. My wife and my son, who keep me grounded. E mentioned Heidi and Janet, our friend Constance who does our flyers - we have some incredibly talented friends - and really anyone who's taken the time to talk to other people about us. That means a lot, you know? Ah, and honestly the other groups we've played with, whose friends have had to sit through our set - I really think we've converted a few of them and as for the rest...still trying!
Any last words?
Mark Simmonds: You are asking a former, wannabe writer for last words? Brave. I will say this. I don't know how most bands work. Sure, you hear all kinds of things about how much work it is for bands to really work together. That does not happen with SD. We get together, someone brings some idea that they have had and, before we know it, we are playing a new song. Whatever we have, it works for us. And I am excited to see where it goes next.
Ethan Grim: Just a 'thank you' for listening!
Jack Alberson: Nothing that hasn't already been said. Thanks for your time.
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