The Dodos
Encyclopedia
The Dodos are an American indie rock
band consisting of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber.
and Kroeber's experience in metal bands to create music in which "drumming could be a center role and help bring out the syncopated rhythms coming out of the acoustic guitar."
and they released their second album Visiter
in March 2008, to critical acclaim.
In an April 2008 interview in the L.A. Record
, Long revealed the origin of the name of Visiter
. "The reason it’s misspelled is because it’s from a drawing this kid gave us. We played a show for a bunch of kids in South Central L.A.—Dorsey High. A friend’s sister [Barbara Lempel] is a special-ed teacher there, so we went down there to her class and we played for the kids and it was super fun. Then it came to the kids asking us questions and then one of the kids came up to us and he gave us a drawing with that written on it. The drawing is the cover actually of the album, and just—I dunno we liked it. Actually we used all of the drawings that the kids made in the artwork on the album. It was definitely a fun, interesting venture for us. We’d never played for kids before—we didn’t know what to expect but they were clapping and dancing."
In 2009, the song "Fools," also from the Visiter album, was featured in an advertisement for Miller Chill.
After the release of Visiter, the band included Joe Haener (formerly of The Gris Gris
and Battleship
) in its touring line-up, playing xylophone
, toy piano
and additional percussions.
Copies of Time To Die were sold at The Dodos' August 14 performance in Seattle, WA.
, was released on March 15, 2011. It features vocal contributions from Neko Case
. Vibraphonist Keaton Snyder is featured on this record, but is not part of the band. As of March 24, 2011 the album has peaked at #70 on the US charts. The band have been chosen by Les Savy Fav
to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas
festival that they co-curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.
, a drum, and two cymbals placed on each other (like a hihat). Meric Long plays mainly acoustic and semi-acoustic guitars during performances, but he also owns a Springtime
and a Tafelberg drum guitar built by Yuri Landman
. Long has been known to favor using his fingernails instead of a guitar pick.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band consisting of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber.
History
The Dodos began playing music together in 2005, when musician Meric Long, who had been gigging steadily in San Francisco as a solo singer-songwriter, was introduced to Logan Kroeber through a mutual friend (a college acquaintance of Long's that happened to be Kroeber's cousin).Dodo Bird EP
Long self-released a solo EP titled Dodo Bird in February 2005, in which Long played all the instruments. While they attended the school for the mentally ill they performed the songs from this release, Long and Kroeber met and started playing together. They worked to blend Long's training in West African Ewe drummingEwe drumming
Ewe drumming refers to the drumming ensembles of the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The Ewe are known for their experience in drumming throughout West Africa. The sophisticated cross rhythms and polyrhythms in Ewe drumming are similar to those in Afro-Caribbean music and late...
and Kroeber's experience in metal bands to create music in which "drumming could be a center role and help bring out the syncopated rhythms coming out of the acoustic guitar."
Beware of the Maniacs
The duo released the 2006 album Beware of the Maniacs, which was self-released under the "Dodo Bird" moniker. In support of the album, Long and Kroeber toured relentlessly for most of 2007. The band began to receive critical attention and developed a growing fan base. Fans began referring to Dodo Bird simply as "The Dodos", and the band decided to change their name accordingly.Visiter
In December 2007, the Dodos were signed by Frenchkiss RecordsFrenchkiss Records
Frenchkiss Records is an independent record label based in New York, New York. The label was started in 1999 by Syd Butler, bassist and founder of Les Savy Fav...
and they released their second album Visiter
Visiter
Visiter is the second album released by The Dodos. A special edition is being put together to include a DVD of live footage from the last show of their most recent tour....
in March 2008, to critical acclaim.
In an April 2008 interview in the L.A. Record
L.A. Record
L.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
, Long revealed the origin of the name of Visiter
Visiter
Visiter is the second album released by The Dodos. A special edition is being put together to include a DVD of live footage from the last show of their most recent tour....
. "The reason it’s misspelled is because it’s from a drawing this kid gave us. We played a show for a bunch of kids in South Central L.A.—Dorsey High. A friend’s sister [Barbara Lempel] is a special-ed teacher there, so we went down there to her class and we played for the kids and it was super fun. Then it came to the kids asking us questions and then one of the kids came up to us and he gave us a drawing with that written on it. The drawing is the cover actually of the album, and just—I dunno we liked it. Actually we used all of the drawings that the kids made in the artwork on the album. It was definitely a fun, interesting venture for us. We’d never played for kids before—we didn’t know what to expect but they were clapping and dancing."
In 2009, the song "Fools," also from the Visiter album, was featured in an advertisement for Miller Chill.
After the release of Visiter, the band included Joe Haener (formerly of The Gris Gris
The Gris Gris
The Gris Gris is a four-piece psychedelic rock band from Oakland, California. Their name was partially inspired by the Dr. John album Gris-Gris. The group was signed to Birdman Records in 2003 after they did a gig with Birdman recording artists The Modey Lemon. Birdman owner David Katznelson was...
and Battleship
Battleship (band)
Battleship was a band from Oakland, California.The members of Battleship were Aleksander Prechtl on vocals, Daniel Martens on guitar, and Gene "Bean" Bae on bass. The band's original drummer was Joe Haener, who was later replaced by Drew Eastmen, and finally Patrick Lynch...
) in its touring line-up, playing xylophone
Xylophone
The xylophone is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck by mallets...
, toy piano
Toy piano
The toy piano, also known as the kinderklavier , is a small piano-like musical instrument. The present form of the toy piano was invented in Philadelphia by a 17-year-old German immigrant named Albert Schoenhut. He worked as a repairman at Wanamaker's department store, repairing broken glass...
and additional percussions.
Time to Die
Their album Time to Die was released for digital download on July 27, 2009 in the UK and July 28, 2009 in the US. The physical LP release was on August 31, 2009 in the UK and September 15, 2009 in the US. Joe Haener was replaced by Keaton Snyder during live performances.Copies of Time To Die were sold at The Dodos' August 14 performance in Seattle, WA.
No Color
The Dodos' fourth album, No ColorNo Color
No Color is the fourth album released by indie folk band The Dodos.- Track listing :The songs are:# "Black Night" - 4:22# "Going Under" - 6:04# "Good" - 6:10# "Sleep" - 3:12# "Don't Try and Hide It" - 3:46# "When Will You Go" - 4:36...
, was released on March 15, 2011. It features vocal contributions from Neko Case
Neko Case
Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
. Vibraphonist Keaton Snyder is featured on this record, but is not part of the band. As of March 24, 2011 the album has peaked at #70 on the US charts. The band have been chosen by Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav is a New York City indie rock band. Their style is influenced by art rock and post-hardcore. The group is known for the stage presence of lead singer Tim Harrington...
to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival that they co-curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.
Equipment and playing techniques
The Dodos are known for using an alternate instrumental approach. Logan Kroeber plays on a drum kit without a bass drum, playing often on the rims of the drums, and also uses a tambourine taped to his shoe. During live performances they have a third member playing a vibraphoneVibraphone
The vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
, a drum, and two cymbals placed on each other (like a hihat). Meric Long plays mainly acoustic and semi-acoustic guitars during performances, but he also owns a Springtime
Springtime (guitar)
The Springtime is an experimental electric guitar with seven strings and three outputs. The instrument was created in 2008 by Dutch luthier Yuri Landman for guitar player Laura-Mary Carter of Blood Red Shoes.-Technical information:...
and a Tafelberg drum guitar built by Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman is a Dutch experimental luthier who has made several experimental electric string instruments for a list of artists including Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Liars, Jad Fair of Half Japanese and Liam Finn...
. Long has been known to favor using his fingernails instead of a guitar pick.
Albums
- Beware of the ManiacsBeware of the Maniacs-Track listing:All tracks written by Meric Long of The Dodos.#"Trades & Tariffs" – 5:01#"Neighbors" – 4:16#"Men" – 3:59#"Horny Hippies" – 2:59#"Beards" – 3:24#"The Ball" – 5:38#"Chickens" – 3:04#"Bob" – 3:44#"Elves" – 3:58#"Nerds" – 5:40#"Lily" – 4:07...
(2006) - VisiterVisiterVisiter is the second album released by The Dodos. A special edition is being put together to include a DVD of live footage from the last show of their most recent tour....
(2008) - Time to DieTime to DieTime to Die is the third album released by indie folk trio The Dodos. It was produced by producer Phil Ek, best known for his work on albums by The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Built to Spill and Band of Horses...
(2009) - No ColorNo ColorNo Color is the fourth album released by indie folk band The Dodos.- Track listing :The songs are:# "Black Night" - 4:22# "Going Under" - 6:04# "Good" - 6:10# "Sleep" - 3:12# "Don't Try and Hide It" - 3:46# "When Will You Go" - 4:36...
(2011)
Singles
- "Red and Purple" (2008)
- "Fools" (2008)
- "Fables" (2009)
- "Longform" (2009)
- "Black Night" (2011)
- "Companions" (2011)
- "Good" (2011)
Special Releases
- Dodo Bird (EP)Dodo Bird (EP)Meric Long of The Dodos self-released a solo EP titled Dodo Bird in February 2005, in which Long played all the instruments. This was before he started playing with Logan Kroeber and forming the Dodos.-Track listing:# "Notes" - 6:52# "Coals" - 4:03...
(2005) - Red and Purple 7" (2008)
- Fools 7" (2008)
- The Dodos: Live at the Spiegeltent (2008)
- Fables 7"Fables 7"The Dodos released this Fables 7" on September 15, 2009it's was the first official release of the track "Company" which then became an iTunes special release. Both tracks appear on Time To Die, the Dodos third studio album...
(2009) - Live From Akropolis, PragueLive from Akropolis, PragueThe Dodos were giving this live album away for free during the release of their third album Time to Die, for joining The Dodos website. It consists of 10 tracks taken from their previous album, Visiter.The album was recorded in Akropolis, Prague....
(2009) - So Cold 7" (2011)
- Dodos Live in Amsterdam (2011)
External links
- Official web site
- [ The Dodos' Biography at Allmusic.com]
- Interview with the Dodos, May 2008
- October 2008 Interview
- December 2006 Interview w/ Meric Long
- The Dodos Take Away Show
- The Dodos at la Blogotheque's Soiree a Emporter #2
- The Dodos filmed interview, July 2009
- http://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-dodos-live-at-spiegeltent/id309968854