See Statistics live Weds 03/31/04 at the Cafe Du Nord
Statistics aka Omaha, NE's Denver Dalley, wouldn't exist as a solo project if it weren't for the rise of buddy Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes. Dalley, guitarist for Desaparecidos found his band on hiatus as healthy buzz was building when the acclaimed Oberst (also a member of Desa) got busy. "The success of Bright Eyes played a big role in me doing Statistics. It afforded me more time to work on Statistics. But it didn't have anything to do with the content," he explains. Desa, is recording a new album in 2004. So all is well. And in the meantime, Denver Dalley has emerged as an adventurous solo artist, using technology new and old to create yet another identity.
Statistics confounded expectations and took a 180 into lush electronic pop for a 2003 debut EP on Jade Tree. Tracks like the sublime "Another Day" coaxed out a warm wall of guitar and "(A Memory)" and "Cure Me" showed that percolating electro-vignettes were well within Dalley's reach. "I had just gotten all these synths, and I was just having a field day with them," Dalley adds.
Now armed with a stunning debut, Leave Your Name, Dalley's Statistics combines the clear voice of an observant young man with a panorama of superlative hooks. Analog synthesizers (Moogs and Octave Supercat) are integrated into a full pallet of rock sonics, guitar and piano. With a whole album to play inside, Dalley ranges wide over the contemporary genre-vista. "I wanted there to be something for everyone, and more of an experience and range of emotion than just ten radio-friendly songs."
Opener "Sing A Song" recalls the Pixies quiet/explosive dynamics and a Duran Duran-esque bassline. Denver candidly weighs in on lazy music criticism. "It's a calling the reviewers out before they get a chance to review it. It's a tongue and cheek pre-emptive strike. I'm not trying to be ungrateful." Dalley laughs.
On "The Grass Is Always Greener," Dalley is bemused by his proximity to a rocker who can't choose between life at home and the excitement of the road. But no that's not Conor. "It's more ambiguous. If I am referring to anyone I'm referring to myself."
On "Hours Seemed Like Days," Dalley wonders aloud about technological advances. Though Leave Your Name was digitally recorded with A.J. Mogis, Dalley says "sometimes you can't beat the old school."The rest of the album carefully balances nostalgia with guitar slinging. Alt radio, get your ears on.
Leave Your Name is the work of a burgeoning young artist, not one cashing in on regional hype. Varied but consistent, you might forget that it's the work of one musician. One-man-bands are best appreciated in the studio. For touring, Dalley has a group featuring members of Omaha groups The 1989 Chicago Cubs and the Good Life.
-HOPPERPR
KM: Do you have any formal musical training?
Denver: a little- i took some guitar lessons when i was in grade school. and then i took a semester of piano and a semester of drums during my year of college. its good, but i think that the most growth a person does musically is in self teaching and experimenting.
KM: Are there any other musicians in your family?
Denver: both my older and younger brothers play guitar, my younger brother also plays bass.
KM: When you were growing up is this what you thought you would be doing or did you have your heart set on being a fireman or a cop?
Denver: i came from a long line of doctors, for a long time i thought that i would want to do that as well- like i was genetically predisposed to it or something. i am fascinated by massage therapy, i might take a course on that someday, but i dont think i could become an MD.
KM: How long did you spend in the studio working on "Leave your Name" and where there hitches that you came across during process?
Denver: i was in the studio for 10 days or so. not very long. things went pretty smoothly though. its kind of a different thing than recording with a band- there is never any downtime, i was constantly doing something, which was good i guess- i got my moneys worth.
KM: What do you think is the best track on "Leave Your Name" and why?
Denver: hmm... i guess i like a number, not a name a great deal. probably reminisce though- its got some of my favorite sounds for a more straight forward rocker.
KM: In retrospect, Is there anything that you would change on "Leave Your Name?"
Denver: oh probably everything. it seems like i am constantly looking toward the next release- by the time one comes out- its already old. im definately proud of it though- im just my own worst critic.
KM: Have you ever done solo projects in the past?
Denver: no, not really. i have never tried to do all of the elements like this before.
KM: How many bands have you been in?
Denver: desaparecidos and statistics. i was in son, ambulance for a couple days but we decided that it would be too much because desa was just starting to tour then.
KM: Can you tell us a little about your process of writing a song?
Denver: its a very laid back sort of thing- inspiration comes and goes. usually i cant sleep and im tinkering around with a guitar or keyboard and something comes out that eventually develops into a song.
KM: Do you generally come up with a melody first then add lyrics? Or do you come up with an idea and write the melody around it?
Denver: usually melody first. i try to write lyrics that fit with the feel of the song- which means the phrasing and melody, as well as the general mood of the music. it probably doesnt match up to anyone else though.
KM: What are some of the bands or artists past and present that you think have influenced you?
Denver: at the drive-in, the pixies, weezer, failure and just about every one of my labelmates (on both labels).
KM: How are you enjoying your solo work as compared to your collaborative work with Desaparecidos?
Denver: i'm much more critical of my solo work- so i guess at the same time, its more rewarding when it finally works out. sometimes i miss the company, but i love the freedom of not having to wait on others' schedules.
KM: Why did you decide to do a solo project?
Denver: the schedule issue- i wanted something i could work on whenever.
KM: Do you see yourself coming out with new solo material on a regular basis?
Denver: yeah- i have other projects that im working on and would like to work on. i would like to do some more collaborations as well. i want to stay busy.
KM: Do you play all of the instruments in the studio recordings?
Denver: yes- i pretty much did the ep on my own, but i have some friends sit in on a few songs of the full-length.
KM: Who are you bringing along to play with you while you are on tour?
Denver: matt baum from desaparecidos and ryan fox from the good life. i think that they may be the permanent band. (if they dont hate this upcoming ten week tour).
KM: What can people expect to be on the set list? Or do you switch up your songs for different shows?
Denver: we will try and switch it up a little. we are playing songs from the ep and the full-length. im a big fan of shorter and sweeter shows- i would rather leave people wanting more. (but not too short).
KM: How long will you be touring this year?
Denver: as much as possible. this first tour goes from january 31st until april 10th. we will see what tours unfold after that.
KM: What do you think you'll be doing in five years or five hours?
Denver: five hours- sleeping, five years- sleeping.
KM: Do you have any hobbies besides music?
Denver: jogging and skateboarding. i like film a great deal as well.
KM: Do you have have any advice for younger people that want to become musicians?
Denver: get out there and play. as long as you are having fun, thats all that matters.
See Statistics live Weds 03/31/04 at the Cafe Du Nord
An interview with Denver Dalley / Statistics
by Keith Martin
