"Approaching Noise" An interview with Caustic Roll Dave

Barcelona based musician Caustic Roll Dave has been releasing records for several years now. His latest album "Approaching Noise" blends traditional blues sounds with industrial beats matched with an experimental twist creating a sound all his own We sat down with Dave to discuss how he got into music and the artists that inspired him early on, the current music scene in Barcelona and the making of "Approaching Noise".

CMM-What are some of your first musical memories and what bands/artists made the biggest impact on your musical style?

Dave-My first musical memories are from my childhood. My father is a huge fan of Dylan and artists like The Stones, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Hendrix, blues and jazz, so he played this music on the Hi-Fi while I was playing at home. I was really lucky with that. I’ve been listening to music so many years, I’m quite old so lots of music has influenced me in some way. As I said before, music I listened to at home I think Dylan, Stones and blues like John Lee Hooker (when he plays alone), Lighting Hopkins, Robert Johnson… surely made an impact on me. People usually ask me about blues artists but although I like it I’m not a huge expert of any blues artist. I think I’m more into artist who have been influenced by blues…. Ok maybe It’s a stupid thing, who is not influenced by blues in some way? Artists focused in raw and primitive sounds for example like The Stooges, Cramps, JSBX, The Sonics, ... really made the hit on me. Hip Hop was a true influence as well. Public Enemy, NWA, Beastie Boys,Geto Boys, etc… I love those guys man. The sampling process is a key process in my music, and the Bomb Squad productions maybe are the top of all that. That links with James Brown and the primitive funk from the early 70’s. They bring the groove!!! The 90’s which I say they begun aprox in 1987, make a deep impact as I lived that musical period so intense. Ok I know the 70’s or 60’s or whatever have so much good music but they weren’t contemporary to my existence, so I guess that was definitely a point. Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Beck, Pixies, Kyuss, Man or astroman… there was a blend of everything those years. And of course Tom Waits, and other classics, say Neil Young or Led Zeppelin… The 50’s rockers like Eddie Cohran as well.

CMM-What was the song writing and recording process like when making your latest album "Approaching Noise"? Any particular inspiration for the songs?

Dave-The song writing process is “there is no process”. Some structures can begin just from a simple drum loop or a beatbox idea. Some from a chord or a guitar riff. My music is very primitive and simple; there are no complicated structures, changes and so on. Always music first and then lyrics. Recording process is quite slow. I would like to improve that! But the way of writing affects that. You try something, then you change that, then I leave it there for some time, I come back, etc… There’s no particular inspiration for the songs. I think the album works well as a whole unique identity but there isn’t a common message or thread.

CMM-How did the song "Low Cost Countdown Beat" come about? What inspired you to make that track?

Dave-I think this song or “Many Pigs” are representative of that mess of primitive old bluesy sound and industrial or electronic beats I look for. Say Industrial Blues? Maybe… In Low Cost Countdown Beat I think there’s some Alec Empire breakbeats inspiration that I blend with the old style blues harmonica sounds. I think It works perfectly in that song.

CMM-Any particular gear you all used in making the album?

Dave-Well, sure the rare or the non-usual one is the Resontaor Cavaquinho. Somekind of a ukulele with the resonator system of a Dobro. I bought it in Rio de Janeiro. The opening riff in “What We Undertand” for example is that instrument. The software I used is so old, it’s quite ridiculous in some way. It hasn't been updated in the last 10 years???

CMM-If you could do a film score for any film director who would it be?

Dave-Not really any preference. I think what kind of film I would have to attempt to score would be more important. Wim Wenders , Jim Jarmush, Cohen could be a choice…

CMM-What is the music scene like in Barcelona right now?

Dave-It is strange to answer this question because I realize that I’m out of the scene, It seems that Caustic Roll Dave is not welcomed hahahaha,… If we could agree that there’s one. There are a lot of people doing music in different directions. There are also people trying to get new things out or to promote gigs but times are hard except for a few that reach that level of popularity to be everywhere and generally repeating the formula that works for them and it seems people love. But I think it’s quite similar everywhere.

CMM-Any touring or shows planned for the coming months?

Dave-No. I would say that for the moment the touring is coming to an end. I will begin again to restart after summer. But I had a call from and electronic festival yesterday. That’s interesting and it seems that not everybody is a prisoner of music genres.

CMM-Were do you see the future of your music heading? Any different sounds or genres that you would like to explore more and incorporate into your music?

Dave-I usually change my mind every day. Sometimes I want to focus more in the groove and beats, heading to a more hip hop oriented sound. Sometimes I would move to the desert and bring more desert-stoner feelings. And maybe tomorrow I think I will do an electronic album. Or do an acoustic EP. So finally I decide I’m going to do some caustic-rolling music. Actually I’m a little confused. I’m listening to some demos I have recorded this year and I can’t say that there’s a particular direction. I've been thinking of making a band, too as I play alone. I think It could be very challenging to try that but at the same time it would take a lot of time and work.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Caustic Roll Dave "Approaching Noise" LP (causticrolldave.bandcamp.com)

Hailing from Barcelona Spain Caustic Roll Dave is a true original and his latest album "Approaching Noise" embraces the spirit of raw rock n roll and blues and adds plenty of experimental elements throughout that give it a sound that's truly it's own. The crushing beat and driving riff of "What We Understand" sets the pace for a roller coaster ride of enigmatic energy that immediately jumps into the dirty blues brilliance of "You've Got Your Silver, You've Got Your Gold". "Thoughts Send Him Down" harnesses a bit of a Stones like strut while tracks like "Restart" and "Reality Falls" are a bit more spacey and ambient but retain an underlying roots rock vibe. Stand out track "Low Cost Countdown Beat" sounds like Gene Vincent fronting Skinny Puppy with it's thunderous industrial beat and in your face old time rock n roll vocal. "Many Pigs" has even more of a touch of industrial flair to it as the droning drum machine adds a layer of gloom and doom that sits well next to Dave's screaming harmonica. Other highlights include the colorful and mysterious trip of "Paranoid Blues" and blistering attack of "Looking For Something That I Never Had". Simply put Caustic Roll Dave is a one of a kind artist that makes rock n roll from the heart and in his own way. "Approaching Noise" is a relentless album made to be played often and made to be played played LOUD!!!

KOSMOBERKH "Dim Nachttag" LP (kosmoberkh.bandcamp.com)

There is an eerie tone that runs through "Dim Nachttag" the debut album from German instrumental post rock band KOSMOBERKH.The songs all work together as one binding force that harnesses a primal energy and evokes a moving and inspiring feeling throughout. The organic approach of the album is based around the astonishingly warm work of acoustic guitarist David Adrian and the mysterious presence of violinist Paula Töpper along with the vibrant rhythm section of drummer Alex Pojda and bassist Thorge Freidel. Tracks like "A Muse Meant" bring to mind the likes of Mahavishnu Orchestra and King Crimson while "Zeichenlos" comes off like a combination of legendary composer Mike Oldfield and slow-core pioneers Low. Overall "Dim Nachttag" is an excellent movement that combines stellar arrangements with top notch musicianship from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Moon Loves Honey "Apart" E.P. (moonloveshoney.bandcamp.com)

Loving this debut E.P. from Denmark's Moon Loves Honey. It comes off like a beautiful breath of fresh air as opening number "Tell Me More Of Your Lies" is a bright energetic blast of dream like jangle pop. The weightless feel of "Balloon" is matched with ethereal layers of atmospheric sound, while the shimmering feel of "Start All Over Again" is good spirited and fun. "Quiet Goodbye" features a strong ambient vocal delivery and brilliant arrangement that matches well with the liquid like flow of stand out track "My Friends". The E.P. closes with the delicate sounds of "Nothing Will Change" which creates a wandering cinematic vibe that sends things off in fine form.

Snowball ii "?" LP (snowballii.bandcamp.com)

Snowball ii is the brainchild of Los Angeles musician Jackson Wargo. He wrote, performed, arranged, produced, and engineered this debut album which is a truly remarkable effort. The infectious sounds of opening number ""Don't Feel Bad (For Me) take you through a psychedelic underworld of atmospheric bliss that's backed by a pounding beat and shimmering guitars. The cleverly titled "Antonio Banderas & a Semester Abroad" is a well crafted track that shows off Nargo's stellar song writing abilities. As the album continues it takes you further into a colorful world of intrigue as the captivating sounds of "Off/On" and "Lived/In" stir up a sea of beautiful imagery and sound. "Hurry' features an earth shattering riff backed by a lulling vocal presence that's second to none. Closing piece "The Sight Of Setting" winds everything down well as it's combination of gloomy tones also offer a feeling of warmth and hope. An inspiring release that's most excellent from beginning to end.

Swall "A Swall Kinda Feeling" LP (shanewatt.bandcamp.com)

An experimental masterpiece of an album from Montreal's Swall. The sound collage fueled "Binary Built For Two" takes me back to my love of artists like Ringworm Sideshow and John Oswald. "Plainview" is a straight up blast of 60's psychedelia that's full of fuzzed out guitar mayhem and a felling that "anything is possible on the road". Another standout piece is the experimental based "HJKL" which blends hip hop, dub and psych sounds in amazing fashion while "A Serious Error Has Occurred" is a haunting piece that is truly a work of it's own and goes quite well with the "Progressive" sounds of "Natural Animals". "Too Damn Tough" sounds like The Beatles and The Beach Boys joined forces with Zappa to create the ultimate in mind altering music. Besides amazing songs my favorite part of this album is the amount of textures created throughout. It's such a vibrant and colorful record that shows you something new with each listen. Hands down this is just brilliant and I look forward to hearing more and more from Swall for years to come.

The Owens S/T E.P. (theowens.bandcamp.com)

Made up of twin brothers Larry & Randy Owens this Boston duo create their own brilliant world of indie rock. From the opening notes of the spooky "Stay Drivin" you know you are in for a treat. It's the type of song that may appear to be light and quiet but actually sets one of the heaviest moods I've heard in a long while. It's got an early Velvet's type vibe that I love and also makes great use of a beautiful phase effect mid way through the track. "Your Way Through Mine" is more upbeat with a flourishing pattern of experimental sounds that flow alongside it's punchy lo-fi beat while the breezy spirit of "Things" falls someplace between Mercury Rev and Galaxy 500. Closing track "1980's Poison" has a feel good swagger and swing to it that I really love. It moves with such elegance and eventually fades out with a brief but thought provoking noise that leaves me wondering what will be next for this promising new project.