Exclusive interview: Dave Matthews

By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 11, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Dave Matthews Band will perform at the Mile High Music Festival.

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It's an uncertain time for Dave Matthews Band fans. Longtime keyboard player Butch Taylor recently left the band. Saxophonist LeRoi Moore had an accident on his ATV in late June, breaking ribs and more, which forced a sudden, indefinite exit from the band (Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck's band is standing in). The recording of a new album is only partially complete, with no release date in sight, three years after the release of Stand Up. Matthews continues to be grateful to the Colorado music scene that gave the band its first toehold outside the East Coast, as evidenced by the Red Rocks stands he's played and his willingness to headline the first Mile High Music Festival. The self-effacing Matthews sat for a long telephone interview with Rocky pop music writer Mark Brown about the state of the band and his life, ending with a good-natured "Thanks for putting up with me."

How's LeRoi doing?

He's a little beat up, but he'll be OK. He didn't break anything that won't fix itself.

How weird is it going out without LeRoi and Butch?

Butch, of his own decision, decided he didn't want to be here, wanted to pursue something else in his life. We honor that. That's a very different thing entirely from Roi. We've been playing this year, feeling great, working on the record. . . . Being on the road, we've been getting along with each other as a band better than we ever have. This was a real blow; he and Carter (Beauford) and I are the first three people who sat around and said, "We're going to be this band." Not having him there, especially when there's the possibility of him being out for a while, makes it very difficult.

What's up with the new album?

We have a lot of music we've worked on in the past few years . . . that, for different reasons, we haven't come up with a very clear idea of how to move forward musically as a band. Inside the last year, out of necessity, we found more focus and rejuvenated our friendships.

What's the recording process like?

You go into a room, you pick up whatever instrument it is and you start. Then everybody joins in with intention. . . . We did that for a couple of weeks and came up with a hundred ideas. Each one was limited. You could do it for 10 minutes then you just stop. You can't just ramble on forever. We were looking for real honest feels and real joyful discoveries.

And producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) picked 15 tracks and gave them to you?

We looked at those 15 and said: "OK, this is a nice confined, nice structured homework task. A nice clear job." So we just started with one and worked on changes, a chorus, bridges, whatever. All together, all sitting in a circle, talking through it all. We came up with arrangements for each of the 15, then each day we'd work on the next one and then record it. . . . It may seem a little backward in some ways, maybe a hard way to do something, but it's been really interesting. The thing I like about it is, it's really energetic, a real honest musical element to it, a live element to it, all of us sitting together playing the songs together.

Your history in Colorado is rich, but I'd forgotten that you opened for Big Head Todd and got a big boost.

For whatever reason, (Colorado) was a good launching. . . . It was our one West, sort of, satellite, other than the East Coast. We were doing great business for an unsigned band on the East Coast, touring up and down without any CDs out or anything. . . . We had a lot of doors opened for us by people like Big Head Todd. The Samples were a huge help for us out there. They were doing real well and they really embraced us. They introduced their whole audience to us. That was one of the biggest things, that and Big Head Todd. The Samples really aggressively embraced us into their social scene as well. That was an extremely generous thing for them to do.

With children, movie roles and music, how do you keep a focus?

I'm fairly unfocused. It may frustrate my wife a bit. But I'm also very focused on taking care of my family. I think I speak for everyone in the band: We were doing this for a long time. It's not like we knew a life where we had a job that we came home from. . . . We found our partners and raised our family all while living on the road. That's how we've come to this. Whether it's easy or hard or whatever combination, that's my life.

You've endorsed Barack Obama. Do you see a time when politics returns to a more civil tone?

We're inundated in this country because we're susceptible to media. You can't turn it down, the media din in this country. I think our country needs to get a little bit away from the culture of fear from every side. It's a very defensive, paranoid phase we're going through, whether it's about our food or whether it's people who are different from us or how we're viewed or how we view ourselves. . . . It's this sort of obsession with labeling and categorizing. We should not be so preoccupied, thinking obsessively of how safe everyone is from everything. That breeds an illness. In a way, the culture can manifest its nightmare to come true if it obsesses about it all the time.

You do benefits for various causes all the time, from Farm Aid every year to spur-of-the-moment things like the Katrina benefit at Red Rocks. How do you decide how to spend your time?

I know my manager would probably say it's a more complicated process, but the way that I think of it is, whatever sort of becomes more present and more pressing at the moment. For me, Farm Aid was a combination of things. It was my admiration for the work of Willie (Nelson) and Neil (Young), especially Willie to begin with, then Neil and John (Mellencamp). It was just an admiration of what they're doing and my love of the farm and seeing the dire situation. They're sort of a voiceless demographic. That's what drew me to that. I'm happy to still be a part of it. I sometimes think we need to figure out a way to rejuvenate it a bit, but I still think it has an important application. Other than that, there are things like Katrina - in that situation everybody has to do what they can, especially in the face of such incompetence on our leadership's part. We have to step up.

brownm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2674

Mile High Music Festival

* When and where: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. July 19 and 20, soccer fields at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City

* Tickets: $85 per day, $150 for both, VIP packages for $495

* July 19 lineup: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Steve Winwood, Meese, Jason Mraz, Gavin Degraw and more

* July 20 lineup: the Dave Matthews Band, the Black Crowes, John Mayer, The Flobots, The Roots and more.

* Information: milehighmusicfestival.com; TicketHorse.com

* More to come: Watch for a map, schedule and survival guide in Friday's Weekend Spotlight section.

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Comments

July 11, 2008

8:06 p.m.

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Mark Brown writes:

For a longer transcript of the Dave Matthews interview please go here:

http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/ro...
July 12, 2008

11:03 a.m.

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Brain writes:

Not worth half of $85.00; when are people going to wake-up and quit paying excessive amounts of money for average bands? Actually for ANY band. Not to mention paying $4.00 for a WATER!
July 12, 2008

11:28 a.m.

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I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:

Disturbed, Rocks.
July 12, 2008

1:45 p.m.

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Buckwheat writes:

Dave who???
July 12, 2008

4:14 p.m.

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ES writes:

I saw them the last time they showed up. It was the only time I ever left a concert early. It was terrible. Really Really Terrible. As a fan, I was very disappointed.
July 12, 2008

4:22 p.m.

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dummas writes:

yawn
July 12, 2008

7:58 p.m.

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becket writes:

He'll be on PBS soon selling oldie DVD's.
July 12, 2008

9:07 p.m.

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BMat writes:

I paid five bux in 1995 to watch DMB at Mesa Amphitheater in Arizona.

He came back the next year and tix were $45 so I skipped it. Then a few years later they emptied the latreen of their bus on some lady on a boat in Chicago.

This guy is a cash s.u.c.king pig. It's the same darn warbly voice, strummy, sing-along song strung out over about 8 albums. Great stuff. Not really.
July 13, 2008

6:44 a.m.

Suggest removal

Buckwheat writes:

Another One-Hit-Wonder, who doesn't know when to throw in the towel.. Maybe he and Michael Martin Murphy can start a Polka band together.
July 13, 2008

6:53 a.m.

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awhite411 writes:

Somebody should have asked him "Why does all your music sound the same, and can you explain why you have so many simple minded fans"?
July 13, 2008

7:54 a.m.

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MattGuyver_007 writes:

So are all of the posts here going to be about what 'Good' music really is and how much we should all pay for it?

Is there anything more subjective? Please stop.
July 13, 2008

10:50 a.m.

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Brain writes:

How about 20 bucks and the privilege/right to bring my own beer/water?
July 13, 2008

11:12 a.m.

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Biff writes:

You guys are a bunch of fools! I would pay $85 bucks to see Steve Winwood alone!

If you don't want to pay the freight, then don't go! I get so sick and tired of people whining about high ticket prices.
July 13, 2008

11:57 a.m.

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jmkratt writes:

One hit wonder?

Tickets were not $45 in 1996, I sat in reserved seats at 3 venues for $20.

You both fail.
July 13, 2008

12:41 p.m.

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Brain writes:

Biff = fool; keep going fool, I haven't seen a show in quite a while (can't remember, Robin Trower??) that I paid for. But have seen Kansas at the Taste of Colorado for $0 (good show) also Blackfoot in Winter Park was pretty good, again $0. Robin Trower cost about $25.00 if I remember right. Steve Winwood would be nice to see at a good venue at about $25.00; he will make an appearance at this event, not worth anything. Fools like you I guess will keep paying more for less, so be it, I will stick with the free shows from now on!
July 13, 2008

2:03 p.m.

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I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:

Undoubtedly, Arc of The Diver? Steve Winwood, Rocks.
July 14, 2008

7:57 a.m.

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Lauren writes:

hahahahahahahaha one hit wonder? you are an idiot.

how does all of their music sound the same? compare the "stand up" cd to "under the table and dreaming." they are not alike at all.

if you only hear the songs they have on the radio or only listen to their studio albums, you do not have any clue about the dave matthews band.
July 14, 2008

10:32 a.m.

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Mark Brown writes:

Exactly, Lauren. Some of these comments are not worth responding to because the posters are obviously completely unfamiliar with the music they're commenting on.
July 15, 2008

5:33 a.m.

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galaxy_flower41 writes:

First of all, thank you Lauren, you are incredibly correct. If you all are thinking that just because you listen to Crash and Satellite and think that you know the music, then you're an idiot. They are one of the most inspirational bands I've ever heard.

Just because you have nothing better to do then complain about ticket prices for good music doesn't mean you have to spread your negative energy to everyone else.

:-)
July 15, 2008

11:44 a.m.

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Biff writes:

Brian....maybe if you made more than minimum wage, you could afford to pay the freight for a good show. Your comparing Kansas to Steve Winwood, the Black Crows and Dave Matthews? Go crawl back in your hole.
July 16, 2008

7:45 a.m.

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vsmustang02 writes:

you people are rediculous. I can understand not everyone is going to like DMB, but is there a need to bash them? The comment Bmat is just uncalled for. Its not like it was the bands decision to dump there tank on a boat, it was the driver, and i believe he was fired for doing it. Cash s ucking pig? The band donates millions of dollars a year to many different charities, not to mention all the benefit concerts they have done where 100% of proceeds go to a given group. There is just some very shallow comments on here. Its fine to dis their music if you don't like it, but don't comment on things you don't know. Part of the reason concert tickets are so high is because of D!ck Cheney and George Bushes gas prices. You people need to be educated before you run your mouth and make no sense
July 16, 2008

4 p.m.

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Matthew_Hughes writes:

Wow, I have heard some people say some pretty stupid stuff about Dave before... but "one hit wonder?" Seriously? That is quite possibly the most idiotic thing I've ever heard... I believe "Crash Into Me" made it to number 3 on the charts, "So Much To Say" won them a Grammy, and I think he even won a Grammy for "Gravedigger."

They have had a ton of successful singles: What Would You Say, Satellite, Ants Marching, So Much To Say, Too Much, Crash Into Me, Stay (Wasting Time), Crush, Don't Drink The Water, Everyday, Where Are You Going?, Grey Street, American Baby, and Dreamgirl.

Why don't you actually pick up a Dave Matthews Band album and listen to it before make ridiculous comments? That is just about as absurd as some musically uneducated kid who loves the Jonas Brothers saying all Beatles songs sound the same. Wait, I bet you actually do like the Jonas Brothers...

And Lauren... whoever you are out there... I love you.
July 17, 2008

8:32 a.m.

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lindalaben writes:

You are kidding, right? Comparing Kansas to Dave Mattews Band? Dude when is the last time you looked at a calendar, it's 2008!
Gas is $4.00 a gallon, concerts cost an average of $50.00 and up, dave Matthews continues to be one of the only bands touring these days that can consistently sell out venues, and Kansas, well they are "just dust in the wind"!
July 18, 2008

10:50 a.m.

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siudave2000 writes:

Yeah, they've only been in the game for 20 years, produced 21 albums and are on the top 100 list of all time best sellers, they're Horrible - TOOLS!
July 19, 2008

6:27 p.m.

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JBlem writes:

For those of you fussing about the cost--there are 25 performances each day. At $85 per ticket, that's only $3.40 per performance per day, or $3 per performance if you bought the two day $150 ticket. Seems pretty darn cheap to me. It's best you stay home and watch your tinfoil wrapped rabbit-ear television--we'll have more fun without your whining anyway.

And for those of you dissing Dave and friends--when you all start raising millions of dollars for charities, let me know. I'll move you up from the bottom of my respect list and take DMB down one--maybe (though not likely).
July 22, 2008

11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Kiko writes:

Enjoy the DMB. I love "good" music, period. Went to college at CU - Boulder, and was luck to have the bars supporting Big Head Todd, The Subdudes, Acoustic Junction and of course, The Samples. Followed the band religiously as they gained notoriety and began picking up steam across the country. Stayed with them through the line-up changes. Became their manager. Heard the stories about how The Samples helped launch the DMB as a national act. Figured Boyd (who recorded with the band and typically chooses the opening bands for their summer tours with Carter) would help return the favor and provide a national platform to offer The Samples the same opportunity Dave recounts them providing the DMB before anyone was aware of their music. Spoke to management, several times. Had people who were in contact with Dave himself (press who were Samples fans)inquire on behalf of the band if he himself would intervene and give The Samples some dates. Nothing. Silence. "Just can't do it this tour." The real story here is the complete lack of willingness to ever show some love to Sean Kelly and the boys and provide a hand up on the national stage. A few opening gigs. You always wonder about stories as incredible as someone telling you it was their fanbase, their taking the DMB under their wings and opening up the West that helped launch the music in to the stratosphere. Nice to hear it from Dave's mouth and still hoping someday they will do the right thing. Let the Samples open up for you Dave. Return the love brother!

Home › Entertainment › Music

Exclusive interview: Dave Matthews

By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 11, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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