QR Music Interview - DMA's: "We haven’t tried to force anything and we’ve always tried to be true to ourselves and what we want out of music"

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, DMA’s are making waves within the indie-rock scene both at home and internationally. The trio, made up of Matt Mason, Tommy O'Dell and Johnny Took, have managed to take their amateur recording project, and turn it into a living that some bands can only dream of.

Speaking to Tommy from the band earlier this month about the journey the band has taken, and more specifically the transition from the bedroom to live performances, Tommy was candid about his experience within the band. “[We] didn’t really plan to play live as we were in other touring bands at the time”. The band had evolved from O'Dell and Took's earlier musical project, Underlights, and later recruiting Mason to form DMA's. Tommy added that on a personal level, it had taken him a while to fully embrace his new frontman status having previously drummed in bands before.

Adjusting to new roles within the band allowed for their sound and genre to grow organically, with Tommy stating that "We haven't tried to force anything and we've always tried to be true to ourselves and what we want out of music". DMA's musical journey began in a bedroom studio instead of opting for a touring circuit around Sydney's pubs and clubs, creating lo-fi, rock music they believed would resonate with a wider audience. However, like every band, DMA's found that their varied tastes in music can cause disagreements, but Tommy argues that the disagreements are at the core of what they do, "that's what creating music with people is all about, pushing each other".

DMA's took the internet by storm when their cover of 'Believe' by Cher for Triple J's 'Like a Version' segment was uploaded onto YouTube. Since it was first uploaded in 2016, the video has amassed a total view count of over six million, whilst also becoming the first 'Like a Version' cover to rank at number six on Triple J's Hottest 100 list in 2016. When asked why they thought this cover was so popular with people, Tommy spoke about wanting to bring the melody to the forefront of the song, "Sometimes great songs are hidden behind a f*ck load of production and I guess we wanted to show that".

With the band citing musical influences from the Britpop genre, the band's first single 'Delete', released in 2012, automatically spurred comparisons to bands like Oasis and The Stone Roses. Coincidentally, it was these comparisons that saw the band play alongside Liam Gallagher earlier this summer in Finsbury Park, London. Touring with bigger bands, and bands they themselves have grown up listening to, has provided an invaluable experience for the band. When asked what it was like knowing childhood icons liked their music enough to invite them to tour, Tommy stated that, “it’s nice to know that they appreciate your music too”.

Of course, with comparisons to Oasis and creating music influenced by Britpop, it would only make sense that their music would resonate with a British audience. Supporting bands like The Courteeners and The Kooks previously, there is something about the UK that keeps driving the band to return. Tommy cites how a passionate and loyal fan base has established a foundation for the band to continue growing, “It’s taken time to build up a following in the UK and we want to keep it growing”.

This past year saw DMA's evolve and bring their musical visions to life on their newest recordFor Now, released back in April. "I guess working with a producer for the first time on 'For Now' helped us take our sound to another level" Tommy wrote, noting the influence producer Kim Moyes from The Presets had on developing their sound. This album cycle also the band become more creative with their own musical talents and influences in order to create a sound that would define their sophomore album, with Tommy stating that the band experimented with using "more drum loops and synths instead of layering loads of guitars" to create the final product.

Whilst they are aware that they are not the main stars of the show, DMA's are fully embracing their role as a support act as they open for Kasabian at their first Northern Irish show at Custom House Square, Belfast. "We just want to get up there and play a good set" Tommy says, "the night's not about us but hopefully we can get the fans excited for Kasabian". DMA's are also sticking around in Ireland, putting on a headline show in The Button Factory, Dublin on August 21st for fans who were unfortunate enough to miss out on Kasabian tickets. Performing to fans so far from home can seemingly be a challenge within itself, but Tommy admits that "it's a small price to pay to travel the world and play music". 

2018 has proved to be a successful year for DMA’s, with an LP and worldwide shows underneath their belt, it’s hard to say what the band could possibly achieve next. However, Tommy wishes that this year will see the band writing even more songs to “record a new album mid next year”. Not only that, but the band are ready to head out on the road again, with plans in the works for a headline tour and festival shows in the near future.

DMA's support Kasabian in Belfast's Custom House Square on August 20th with limited ticketsavailable. Listen to DMA's newest album For Now here. DMA's play Dublin's The Button Factory on Tuesday August 21st.

By Jessica Lawrence