With shaggy hair and a “don’t worry be happy” vibe, Darwin Deez is a true hippy in style, outlook and his music. Recording his debut album from home with a four-string guitar, he managed to make hits like Radar Detector and Up in the Clouds. He’s gone on to create four other amazing albums, including his latest album released this summer 10 Songs That Happened When You Left Me With My Stupid Heart, including hit song The World’s Best Kisser. 10 Songs addresses heartbreak but with a more raw and authentic, story-telling structure, unlike many other artists. IndieBerlin is giving away two tickets to Darwin Deez’s concert at Bi Nuu this September and got an exclusive interview with this intriguing, indie rocker.
indieBerlin: How did you come up with the name Darwin Deez?
Darwin: Darwin Deez was a nickname given to me my best friend, Mash Deez, aka Michelle Dorrance, who at one point played in the band and was my inspiration to move to New York, and a huge supporter of my music from the beginning. Like the beginning-beginning, when I was 16 just making beats with my S2000 (hardware sampler) and MIDI sequencer.
indieBerlin: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in?
Darwin: Rom-com I guess because it’s dumb and obvious, but it moves you and gives you what you want.
“Your aura is really good; it’s purple, dog.”
indieBerlin: What music do you listen to when you’re touring?
Darwin: Whatever Ben’s into. Thin Lizzy, Frightened Rabbit, Ben’s original music, Deerhoof.
indieBerlin: What was the last concert you went to?
Darwin: I think it was Sam Evian and Buck from Big Thief opening. This guy Adam Brisbane f*****g ripped on guitar for both bands, and for the opening band Katie Sche-something. Sam was like “this is Adam Brisbane, New York’s best-kept secret,” and I thought, “F****n’ amen right he is, who is this guy and wow can he shred and move!”
indieBerlin: What was your biggest stage fuck-up?
Darwin: I tried to throw a can of Red Bull from the stage to somebody in the audience and it clocked someone else in the face.
indieBerlin: What was the nicest compliment you once got?
Darwin: “Your aura is really good; it’s purple, dog.”
Berlin audiences are pretty awesome. Hard to beat.
indieBerlin: How do you feel about covering a song?
Darwin: I’m not a good singer so I’m not gonna be better than the original, like ever. But learning to play other songs is important fodder for composition.
indieBerlin: How do you think the audience in Berlin is different to other audiences?
Darwin: Berlin audiences are pretty awesome. Hard to beat. Very knowledgeable to my references and yet not too cool for school, not pretentious, not unhip. Very animated and present. Beautiful, energetic. Loud and also attentive.
indieBerlin: Do you prefer to play big festivals/stages or smaller club gigs?
Darwin: Festivals are whatever but they pay well. We don’t have a giant production, it’s more about our humanity when we’re up there. Nothing’s better than headlining a sold-out club. You can really do something magical with the attention and focus in there. Have I ever had a magical festival set? I don’t know. Probably.
