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Inverness band The Dazed Digital Age hit the live stage on Friday at Tooth & Claw for the first time since 2019 and since then they have added "a dark industrial edge"


By Margaret Chrystall


On Friday, The Dazed Digital Age return for their first live gig since 2019. Last seen as an electro-sounding project, maybe now with more of a “dark industrial edge”, as Gordon 'Go Go' McKerrow – one of the core writing duo with Gowans – describes the sound heading to Tooth & Claw. Margaret Chrystall asks some questions ...

The Dazed Digital Age.
The Dazed Digital Age.

Q Your last gig in 2019 – set the scene. Did the memory carry you through lockdown doldrums?

A Go Go McKerrow: It was shortly before the pandemic broke, December 2019 at Mad Hatters between Christmas and New Year. It left a mark on us as our most atmospheric show, and pushed us to then mix and master our second release, Nothing Remains, which we put out in September 2020. The pandemic put a spanner in the works for gigging frequently, also difficult for recording. We’ve been writing furiously recently which we are bringing to this upcoming show.

Q You have DJs Louis WT Buick (Lowt), Assume and DJJD with you at the gig – why did you want them for this gig?

A Louis is a local artist I’ve known for a while. He is behind Minsu Manor and was originally in the outfit Count Clockwork that had moderate success a number of years ago supporting the likes of Boys Noize and having numerous major radio plays (BBC Radio 1 etc). We felt it a good opportunity for Louis to showcase his recent interests in music through a DJ set under his new name Lowt. He is buzzing to appear on the evening. Assume and DJJD are two local friends of ours who have not yet had an opportunity to mix publicly yet and we want to give them a spot to do this. Long-time friends, they are heavily inspired by techno, house, hip hop and indie.

Q How has the band’s sound changed or evolved?

A We have written a track recently that is pretty heavy in comparison with our debut single, IV (watch below). It is very emotionally driven and has a dark industrial edge to it, driven by a consistent minor to major change – a lot of our songs are progressive.

Gig details for Friday.
Gig details for Friday.

Q You are hoping to release music this summer?

A We quite literally have a plethora of tracks old and new that need to be recorded. This will be reflected in the long set we have planned for the evening. We work closely with our friend and local talent Michael Blyth who has a studio in the centre of Inverness. As I've mentioned we write songs as a partnership, quite often working in a very raw lo fi sense to begin with that is then developed through Gowans' production capabilities. All the lyrics are written by myself and as much as the lyrics come from a very serious place, there can be a sense of humour there that could probably be considered quite eccentric. I think humour is a key element to actually observing the truth in things.

Q I think your line-up may have changed, so who are The Dazed Digital Age now and for your gig?

A Gowans and I have always been the primary band members – a songwriting partnership – we are also very close friends, writing the songs together, both bringing our own personal perspective to the table. Gowans was originally an electronic producer, mainly techno and dance music under quite a prolific name in the scene, Polymath, which I was always inspired by. Quite often our songs begin with a very acoustic lo fi basis – guitar, voice, or piano and voice, Gowans will then build bass lines and further melodies from this. We often write songs by sending ideas/sketches of tracks to each other which was effective during lockdown. We have a mystery guest on guitar for the evening coming up who may become a full time member of the band going forward. This person is adding a huge amount and it's exciting to work with them. We are always open to working with new artists. Our former guitarist Daniel is no longer part of the outfit he is now living outwith the area, though he is still in touch with the band now and then.

Q Any other live plans, adventures formulating themselves for later in the year that you can talk about?

A We have a support slot confirmed for a Glasgow-based band later in the year in the area that I will remain unnamed at the moment. Amongst that I will be escaping to the States for three months from August to travel, so maybe I could wangle a slot in New York City, Los Angeles, who knows? We aim to release a four track EP before the year is out.

Q Want to tell the world anything before the gig?

A We are hugely looking forward to getting back on the stage and it should be an absolutely epic evening. There will be many new tracks played amongst our usual splurge of apocalyptic fury and general tomfoolery. After all, it is The Dazed Digital Age. It’s been a long, long two years. Here we go...

The Dazed Digital Age play Tooth & Claw, Inverness, on Friday (May 27). also on the bill is Louis WT Buick (Lowt), Assume and DJJD. Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2M2xnQw Twitter: @dazeddigitalage Facebook: dazeddigitalage


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