The Dodos learn to grow
The indie rock duo finds power in stability.
"I don't feel the change 'cause I'm living it all the time. It's been illustrated to me how much has changed." Logan Kroeber appreciates the outside-looking-in-perspective when it comes to his and Meric Long's brainchild, The Dodos. Being a part of the duo for the better part of a decade. Kroeber says he never knows how to answer questions about how his band has changed from album to album. "I have an answer that makes sense," he admits with a chuckle. He brings up a show a couple weeks back in New York City, where his brother and friends who saw the first NYC Dodos' show in 2006 witnessed a refined, more mature experience. They'll bring that to One Eyed Jacks on Tuesday.
The Dodos' latest album Carrier is the reason the duo's aging has been the focus of numerous, but positive reviews. It's notably refined and open to darker themes and sounds. It's been awhile since The Dodos released breakthrough record Visiter, five years to be exact, but it was still a point of reference during the recording of Carrier. "I loved what I heard. I still love the sound. Some of the sounds are almost kind of cute," he says, explaining that Carrier sees beats, guitar and vocals more "up front" than before. The Dodos have earned a reputation for being experimental with instrument choice, but rarely have the duo strayed from a classic indie rock sound. "We've always set parameters by the instruments that we chose," Kroeber says. "The writing has just grown. The movie that is the music is not in a room anymore. The camera has gone outside."
Despite exploring slower and darker areas on record, Kroeber says the Dodos' live shows have always been energetic and loud. "Our approach to playing live is consistent. The records show where our heads are at." He adds he wouldn't be offended if someone told him otherwise. Though it sounds like The Dodos are working and touring to exhaustive lengths, a new album is already realized and in the works. It continues a "spooky" vibe Kroeber says was present on Carrier. "Those spooky songs are the weird, creepy forest, but it opens up on a meadow. It's fun and free. You made it through something and into something else." It's hard to miss the eagerness and confidence with which Kroeber discusses making music. "[The change in sound of the music] was totally natural to me." He even brings up ideas for a concept album, or something more abstract. "I'm rolling with the punches if Meric is coming to me with something out there." The relationship between the two Dodos, fostered by an openness to change, is what keeps their sound and spirit fresh after five albums and eight years.
