The Dodos are a band hard at work. Also known as the indie rock duo of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber, it’s easy to forget that they’ve been floating around the scene for just about a decade now. And yet, they are a band that have managed their flow through time, bobbing and weaving, subtly shifting sounds and character throughout the breath of their discography. However, when they released their latest work Individ, The Dodos explored a direction they haven’t really traveled before: backwards. A return to the form of the album that marked their spot on the map in the first place, Visiter, the band shows a maturity and an understanding of their own self and identities as artists.
Vocalist and guitarist Meric Long took some time in the midst of touring to chat with us about Individ and their upcoming show at Brighton Music Hall this coming Sunday.
Allston Pudding: So, I’ve heard that Individ was conceptualized and worked out very soon after [your previous album] Carrier. About how soon would you say to put it all together?
Meric Long: It was a couple months in between. We finished sessions for Carrier in February of 2013 or ’12. And we started recording in June, I think. But there wasn’t a whole lot of preparation. I just did some writing, but we didn’t rehearse as much as we usually do.
AP: So it was pretty spontaneous?
ML: Yeah, the idea was to go in without a lot of preparation and see what happens.
AP: Did that happen right after the tour for Carrier?
ML: Actually, Carrier wasn’t even out yet. It didn’t come out until August of that year, so that’s why we booked the time. Between February and August is a long time to wait for a record to come out. So, I didn’t want to wait an entire record cycle to go back to the studio, because it was so much fun recording. It felt like there was a lot of excitement for recording at that moment and, after touring for a whole record, a lot of that would have dissipated.
AP: Then did it feel weird to go on tour for Carrier even though you had all the material worked out for the next album?
ML: It was really great. It did two things. It gave us a break from the songs from Carrier, so, when we went back to go re-learn them, they felt fresher had we not focused on something else. And then having something we were excited about after Carrier, it kinda felt like having a safety net. If things just totally went to shit during that record tour, at least we had this other thing we were excited about.
AP: One thing I noticed was there might have been some carry over of themes between the two albums (e.g. images of water). Was it a conscientious decision to do that?
ML: They were written differently. But they were all the same process. This record wouldn’t have been possible without Carrier. I see it just as a natural progression or a continuation. We wouldn’t have been in a place to do Individ had we not just finished Carrier. So, in terms of themes, there were some similar things that drew upon lyrically, but I was coming at it from a different angle. The way I see it, Carrier was like studying and Individ was like the usage of information and practice that you developed. They’re very different, but they’re very linked.
AP: I also noticed some carry over from previous albums like Visiter. Was that also a conscientious decision or did that just happen naturally?
ML: There was a couple things. Before when we went to record Individ, I had it in my mind that I wanted to write and record songs that our fans would be stoked on. There was a sort-of giving in to something. A lot of our fans are attached to that record and that’s what defines the band for them. And it’s something that at times we’ve either brushed off or embraced. But, this time I felt like we just embraced it more. I know I did when thinking about the songs. We were just going to embrace our natural tendencies and not try and necessarily push the progression of the band. We just sort of felt like see whatever comes naturally, record whatever sounds good, and don’t worry about repeating ourselves. And the way it ended up working out, it was the exact same thing with Carrier.
AP: So how’s the reaction been so far for the new material?
ML: This tour is doing really good. It’s hard to compare to the other tours, but I’d say so far this has been one of the best. People’s energy is really good and the new songs are going over really well.
AP: I did see you guys when you brought a third musician two years ago. And I’ve also heard that it’s just going to be the two of you this time. Does that change the dynamic of it a bit?
ML: Again, it’s kind of like embracing our natural tendencies. Us playing as a duo is our most natural state. There’s something that you can’t really pull off as well as a duo, but, in terms of being comfortable, we’re very comfortable doing it this way. We’re kind of cheating in a way, though. We do have someone with us, but you’ll have to see when you go to the show.
AP: You guys have been together for almost—if not already—ten years. Has that affected your state of mind on the band?
ML: I feel like it’s just made us more stubborn when it comes to questioning what we’re doing and where we’re at. When we stop and realize it’s been ten years, it feels good to have some years behind you I guess. To stick to the program.
AP: Definitely. Some bands don’t even make it that far, so I’d consider it an accomplishment.
ML: Yeah, for whatever that’s worth.
AP: Do you feel like it makes you more confident moving forward, knowing that you have that base to build off of?
ML: I mean, we’re going to keep going if there’s something to be excited about. But we’re not going to do it if it’s just going to make everybody miserable. It definitely feels like we’ve passed a questioning point, where there’s a lot of doubt. When you can make it for ten years, it seems like twenty years is a lot easier than when you’re a band for only two or three.
AP: Is there advice you’d give to those bands who’ve only been together for two or three?
ML: Just try and have fun, I guess. Don’t take shit too seriously.
AP: Because you have been together for so long and toured so many times, do you feel like you have a feel for different cities in the country (like Boston for example)?
ML: It’s hard to get an impression on Boston I have to say. We have a really good rapport there and really good shows there, but I don’t know. It’s a funny place to me, because we rarely play the same place twice. There’s an attitude there that I appreciate. People think smart.
AP: Does it feel like, especially since you’ve been abroad, the cities in the United States start to blend together?
ML: Yeah, they start to, but there has to be some sort of monumental experience or some amazing meal or something terrible. Nothing’s terrible has happened to us in Boston. And we’ve had some pretty good food and some good experiences. It’s like a solid, dependable place in my head. Whenever we get the tour list in my head, whenever I see Boston, I know that’ll be a good show.
AP: Glad to hear we’re so dependable.
ML: That’s totally true. I’m not making it up.
Catch The Dodos alongside Springtime Carnivore at Brighton Music Hall this coming Sunday (3/1) and let’s make it a memorable one for them, shall we?