Rock bands find their roots in different places, but rarely does a short session in a studio between two guitarists spawn a group as complex, layered, and, well, numerous, as the sextuplet known as Quien es, Boom! When Dabney Dwelle and Jason Butler joined each other together in studio in 2004, they couldnt have had any notion that the two tracks they produced would be the start of something much larger. But the results were impressive, and soon friends were brought in, instruments added, and one of Austins most fascinating and original outfits began to take shape.
Originally it just started with me and Jason, guitarist and lead singer Dabney says. When we started doing more recordings, there was a lot of sampling to make up for missing band members. And after we had those things recorded, we started including people and friends to work with it, and I think it turned more into a rock band. The first to join was drummer Kevin Fender, who was quickly followed by bassist Alec Padron and, most recently, Nik Snell, with close friend Scott Shellhamer of Ghosts and Vodka adding his electronic input from Chicago.
When I sat down with the five Austin-based members in their cramped space at Sonance Studios, with Shiners all around, I discovered a group laid back and humorous, yet quietly confident in the music they are creating.
The thing that catches my attention when Im listening to music is just complete sincerity for what youre doing, Dabney says, when questioned on the music that has influenced the band. No one in the room seems too keen on naming acts, though there has been no shortage of attempts to pinpoint the groups influences. Gospel, blues, folk, classic rock, and a host of other genres are typically named, but none seems to be a perfect fit.
Id rather genres of music, than a band, Alec says, but even on that point there is no consensus. If somebody ever says to us, were indie rock, my stomachs gonna turn, Kevin says. There are jokes all around, but one gets the sense that this is a band that truly desires to avoid the labels. People want to know, they have to have something to put their finger on, and its hard to say, Nik says. Were a music band. Theres singing, and guitars, and music.
Perhaps they do see it in such simple terms, but their music is anything but. Their debut EP, Cast Your Burdens Aside, was released earlier this year, and the layers of instrumentation and sheer depth of the lyrics has fans and critics alike looking forward to the future. In spite of this apparent success, though, the band has collectively taken a never satisfied approach.
Theres always tons of regret on how you did things, and you try to move on to the next project, making as little room for regret as possible, Dabney says. The sentiment seems to be shared. Youve got to be more self-critical about your own work, Kevin adds. We look at the potential we could have reached. I guess we keep using the word regret, but we dont regret putting it out. Its the first time for this band to record, and it gets the point across. But were hoping to top it.
And on that goal, theyre already at work. Less than two months after the release of Cast Your Burdens Aside, the band has started recording the next album, and expects to have it out sometime in 2007. I think weve moved pretty fast as a band, Jason says. Its fast if you have kids, and jobs. Its not like were students that live off our parents. Were grown men with real responsibilities. Dabney cant resist the opportunity. Well, Kevin has no responsibilities, he quips. But joking aside, the band is moving fast, and theyre being ambitious about it, to boot.
Weve got some creative surprises for next album, Dabney says. Among them will be added instruments and, ahem, a childrens chorus. Weve got to hustle some string players, maybe some horn players, Jason details. Four-year-olds.
I think were lucky enough to have a little bit of attention, and you dont want to lose peoples attention, Dabney explains. I think were all ambitious, Jason adds. We seem to have these grand plans and elaborate ideas that we try to make happen.
Grand plans and elaborate ideas may be the perfect illustration of the music of Quien es, Boom!, because its certainly true that there is no genre out there that will neatly contain them. Dabney, who has been sitting thoughtfully on the far side of the room for some time, neatly sums it up. Hopefully the music counts for something to people, because we have no style or trend to catch on with. The music is going to have to count for something. Its a simple sentiment, but perhaps it strikes at the heart of the question. For a band that eschews fads, trends, and even genres, there is really nothing left. The music will have to count for something. Heres hoping that it does.