DAWES

California-based rock band Dawes, which consists of Taylor Goldsmith (vocals, guitar), Wylie Gelber (bass), Griffin Goldsmith (drums, vocals, percussion) and Lee Pardini (keyboards, vocals) is in the midst of their first “Evening With” headline tour around the release of their fifth studio album, We’re All Gonna Die. The album, produced by Grammy nominated producer Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes, Perfume Genius, John Legend) includes backing vocals from Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of Lucius, Mandy Moore and Will Oldham.

Dawes has toured extensively playing headline shows worldwide and major festival appearances including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and Newport Folk Festival. Recently they have toured with My Morning Jacket, Bob Dylan, and Mumford and Sons and later this year they will join both John Mayer and Kings of Leon on the road as main support. In this episode, band leader Taylor Goldsmith reveals the collaborative song writing process and the notion that songs don’t really live until they’re on the road.