INTERVIEW WITH...
DIRT ROOM
https://www.instagram.com/dirtroommusic/?hl=en
https://open.spotify.com/track/42pCMvFSWz8zZWO9MhgeDF?si=Q9FG6QxzSiyXbrWhB079l w
Dirt Room is a Detroit based experimental shoegaze punk band based out of Detroit. Brothers Simon and Sam Sprague started the band in 2016 in Lansing Michigan. When they moved down to Detroit, Patrick Norton, Pierre Papa-Merè, and Cameron Frank joined the band. Dirt Room has performed with the likes of ADULT., Krillin, and Period Bomb.
Remove Records: What are some of your influences?
Dirt Room: We really enjoy The Residents, Deerhunter, Saint Hewitt, Steve Reich, Swans, Ricky Eat Acid, Standing on the Corner, The Books, Can, James Chance, and Os Mutantes. Man Ray is also pretty sweet.
Tell us about your new project.
We are releasing an album and a film. They both fall under the project title Summer Salts. Both the album and the film exist in the same story world and act as companions to one another. We felt that this project would be more complete with a strong visual component. Concepts/Themes that the album and film explore are drug use, diminishing relationships, death, the occult, time manipulation. Our sound has greatly evolved from the our singles EP that were recorded between 2016-2017. Our current sound relies heavily on the use of saturated textures, electronics, and acoustic instruments.
What are some of the challenges you have faced while working on Summer Salts/what has surprised you?We are working with more people than ever before. Consistent and clear communication is inevitably the biggest battle when working with a large group. Although there are many people involved we often end up wearing multiple hats so it can be difficult to keep track of multiple departments. We’ve been surprised by how excited and interested in working on the project people have been when pitching it. Many members of the crew are people we just met on instagram. It’s been great being surrounded by so many talented and intelligent individuals on a regular basis.
Are there any new bands you’ve been getting into?
Foodman, Eli Kezsler, Masayoshi Fujita
What are your biggest interests outside of music?
Screenwriting, art house film, Japanese/Korean cuisine, and urban exploring.
What are your thoughts about the DIY scene in Detroit?
It sometimes seems fragmented with little pockets of people in their own musical circles. We believe that there needs to be more community interaction between both musicians and visual artists. Although, I think it’s getting better. What we need are more spaces where people can come together and express themselves with any artform they are passionate about. We also need the members of the community to start stepping up to support one another. Whether it means going to shows, sharing others work, or even collaborating. The thing that gives a city a great community for artists is a culture of DIY.
When do you plan on playing live shows again?
We will probably start booking shows this September to test the metal of the songs in a live setting before hitting the studio. We also would love to tour down south to visit friends in Baltimore and Philly, and potentially make our way all the way down to New Orleans.
Are there any bands that you would like to play with?
We really enjoy the music of Saajtak, Saint Hewitt, Teener, and Guerilla Toss. But we also really would love to play again with, Ape Not Kill Ape, Sojii, Teener, Period Bomb, Albert Bagman.
Live in 2017
We will probably start booking shows this September to test the metal of the songs in a live setting before hitting the studio. We also would love to tour down south to visit friends in Baltimore and Philly, and potentially make our way all the way down to New Orleans.
Are there any bands that you would like to play with?
We really enjoy the music of Saajtak, Saint Hewitt, Teener, and Guerilla Toss. But we also really would love to play again with, Ape Not Kill Ape, Sojii, Teener, Period Bomb, Albert Bagman.