Daniel Francis Doyle Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 3rd 2010 4:00PM by Kelly Staskel
Comments

When his band broke up in 2005, Austin's Daniel Francis Doyle literally took matters into his own hands. To continue performing, Doyle began recording live guitar loops and then accompanying himself on drums and vocals. While he recorded with a band for 2009's 'We Bet Our Money On You,' Doyle still performs as a solo act and will be bringing his one-man-band to the stage during this year's SXSW. Spinner recently spoke with Doyle about his upcoming performance.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Choppy and poppy. I love playing fast drumbeats along with my guitar loops while shouting, and I love singing quietly to mid tempo numbers. I don't know. I genuinely do not know what to say, I'm not trying to be too cool for school. I love the Minutemen and Jonathan Richman. I think some of those sounds can come out when I make up songs.

How did your act form?

I was in a band called Early Lines with two close friends who shaped my musical taste to be what it is today. I was basically in a band with them from ages 16 to 25. We broke up in 2005 and I wanted a quick fix of performing live. So, I duct taped guitars to two amps and ran it through a distortion pedal. I played drums and stomped on the pedal to make feedback blasts, and I screamed and hollered. Two months later I bought a loop pedal and did both guitar loops and feedback. I eventually dropped the feedback, and here I am, four and a half years later.

What are your musical influences?

A little list of all time faves who have inspired & influenced me: Minutemen, Jonathan Richman, the Red Crayola, the Ex, Television Personalities, Crass, Rock*A*Teens, Shellac, Black Flag, This Heat, Bedhead, and Ruins.
As far as bands and songwriters from the last decade who have inspired me in one way or another: Danielson, Nina Nastasia, Lightning Bolt, Jens Lekman, YellowFever, Dana Falconberry, and The Bellfuries.

How did you decide to use your full name instead of a moniker?

I decided to go by my full name because I thought it would be a funny contrast to the harsh music I was initially making. Now, with some of the songs I have, that original contrast is lost. It kind of backfired. But it's my name, so whatever. And I was and still am tired of solo artists with band names.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I like that 'In the Middle of the Night' song by Billy Joel.

Have you been to SXSW before? Who are you most excited to see at this year's festival?

I have played previous SXSW fests. It's really fun rushing around from show to show during SXSW week. It feels like I am on tour but I get to sleep in my own bed at night. I look forward to seeing DEATH at SXSW 2010.

Is performing at festivals different than performing regularly?

I performed at CMJ '06 when I played drums for When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. Festivals are hectic and clusterf---ed. Unloading equipment and parking is always stressful.

You're often compared to Jonathan Richman. Do you think that's a fair comparison, and was Jonathan Richman a conscious inspiration for your own work?

Jonathan Richman is not a conscious inspiration, but I love his music and I think that comes out every once in a while. I think the simple melodies and hushed falsetto of my quieter songs is what makes people mention Jonathan Richman. Most of my late teens and early 20s were spent learning his songs and singing them over and over. I kind of learned to sing in key doing that, so obviously that could affect one's singing voice.

What do you think specifically separates you from the other one-man-bands out there?

Well, I have no idea what's going on inside the heads of other "one-man-bands." I'm just interested in making up songs I like, as opposed to the "art" of being a one-man-band. I kind of accidentally fell into this one-man-band set up, and it really works for me right now. I'm able to perform my songs and I enjoy how the limitations of my loop pedal forces me to edit myself. My albums feature songs with live bands, and that will probably one day take over. Maybe.

Can you explain your musical relationship to technology?

Well, I love it when bands exploit technology for what is was not intended for. I think one of the greatest visuals and sounds I've heard and seen in the last 10 years was HEALTH banging on those cheesy electronic drum pads. And without cheesy loop/delay pedals, I would not be able to do what I do.

I am completely dependent on digital technology, and it bums me out. I hate gear and rigs and it makes me feel claustrophobic when I see a band with a million cables and extension cords and lap tops on stage. But in the end, I don't care what bands use. It's all irrelevant if I like the music.

I like recording to tape. I think a band should record on whatever is most relaxing and fun, feeling relaxed and having fun are the most important aspects of making a spirited recording. That might mean using a Tascam 4-track, a big studio, Garage Band, or a little reel-to-reel in your bedroom.

Kelly Staskel is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.