Interview: NWMS chats with The Dip
The Dip, who came from points around the map to lay down the party beat here in town, throw themselves a weekend do for February 15th and 16th, at Neumos, for the release of their new album The Dip Delivers. Funky drummer Jarred Katz was kind enough to take a few questions.
NWMS: Did you grow up in Seattle? If not, where did you come from and when did you arrive in the city?
Katz: I actually grew up in Spokane. Not too far away. Everyone in the band except Tom (singer) grew up outside of Seattle. Made it to Seattle in 2008 for school.
NWMS: What are your favorite Seattle memories?
Katz: Summer sunshine days by the lake. Snow days on the Ave. Spending all your money on records and shows.
NWMS: What are your favorite and least favorite things about the city?
Katz: Favorite: Proximity to lakes and mountains nearby, while still having that big city feel. Least favorite: Getting priced out of neighborhoods and rent prices getting jacked. Not cool.
NWMS: Growing up, what music made you want to make music–which songs, albums, performers, shows, etc.?
Katz: Song: “In the Stone” by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Album: It Might As Well Be Swing – Count Basie & Frank Sinatra. Show: Poncho Sanchez at Spokane Falls Community College
NWMS: Which instrument do you play and how long have you been playing it?
Katz: Drums for about 17 years maybe. Long time.
NWMS: Who are your main influences on your instrument, and what do you derive from listening to them?
Katz: Clyde Stubblefield, Zigaboo Modeliste, Al Jackson Jr., David Garibaldi, Glenn Kotche, Ted Poor, Homer Steinweiss, Ed Thigpen, James Gadson, Josh Block, Art Blakey. A common theme with all of these drummers is maximum creativity without sacrificing any sense of groove or over playing. Time as well.
NWMS: How did the Dip get together?
Katz: Most of us met in the Jazz department at UW. Wanted to create something that was fun for house parties that focused on original song writing and groove.
NWMS: Who are all the musicians in The Dip, and what does each one bring to the mix?
Katz: Tom Eddy (guitar/vocals) – Best hotel booker out there. Can write a mean song and catch some fish too.
Mark Hunter (bass) – Best goddamn van driver out there. Upright extraordinaire and resident “wildcard” of the band.
Jacob Lundgren (guitar) – Our producer/recording engineer. A mad scientist/math major, always tinkering with amps and pedals.
Evan Smith (baritone sax) – Owns almost every woodwind instrument out there. Choice coffee selections and a merchandise master.
Levi Gillis (tenor sax) – A force on tenor and an incredible composer and singer/songwriter. Been known to ride a wave or too as well.
Brennan Carter (trumpet) – World traveler and everyone’s friend. Intense listener and songwriter.
NWMS: Who writes the songs in The Dip, and how do you work up the arrangements?
Katz: We all bring in song nuggets/demos. Then flesh them out as a band and record each step of the process. We almost never just come up with something out of the blue.
NWMS: Where did you record the new album and who produced?
Katz: It was recorded in our very own Mustard Studio by Jacob and Tom. Produced by Jacob.
NWMS: What were the most surprising things about laying down the album tracks?
Katz: Depending on the type of song, we did a lot of different stuff with the drums (different mics, different mic positions, different drums, different blankets/towels for dampening) and it was cool to see how different it would sound with minor changes.
NWMS: What are the band’s plans for the future?
Katz: More touring and more music!
Get more information about The Dip’s pair of shows at Neumos on February 15 and 16 HERE and HERE.