A song that made you want to make music?
I can trace my love for electric guitar-focused pop music to a moment in the basement on
my family computer at age 9. I was browsing videos of neopets (the kinds of videos that are
basically a slideshow of different pictures of neopets, often with a song underneath). One of
the videos had Relient K’s song “Be My Escape” underneath, and, when I heard it, I was
changed for good. It was the first time I had heard music and actively thought to myself, “I
wanna hear this AGAIN.”
Best rider you have had?
When we opened for Bad Moves at Comet Ping Pong in Washington DC last spring, the
venue had the most incredible pizza. Bad Moves and Comet were also super generous and
let us take the leftover pizza home with us. We ate a ton of it before the set, after the set,
and on our drive to Baltimore that night after the set (after that, the pizza was gone). The
best part is that we didn’t even have to ask for it, they just had a bunch of pizzas there ready
for us when we showed up. It was like they read our minds.
Craziest moment in the band?
We got to open for Soccer Mommy for WRFL’s 35th Birthday Bash… a crazy and mind-
blowing opportunity to play in front of a sold out crowd in Lexington. In our 5th song, Zach
and I got tangled in each other’s cables, sending me flying across the stage and ripping a
hole in Zach’s guitar. The crazy part is that some people didn’t even notice.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
In terms of depth, it’s hard to beat the lyric “why don’t you see / that I’m the / perfect wife”
from our song “Goggles.”
Easiest song you wrote?
We’ve got a song called “Easy” on our upcoming album. Surprisingly, it’s not that one.
Favourite song in your set?
We actually ask ourselves this question after some gigs, and a lot of the time the answer is
“Where Do The Hardcore Kids Go?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anYp6eAuAXk) a
track on our last EP, “Everything A Girl Could Ask”. It has four (4!!!) guitar solos (three of
which are harmonized between the two guitars), a meter change, and on tour this year we
played hangman with the audience in the middle of the song. It’s an utter shred-fest, and
hangman makes for a very memorable and fun time.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Our new single “Breakup Songs” was inspired in part by the band Haim. It would be a dream
to record a version of that song with Danielle singing a verse or two. We are also big comedy
fans in this band, and would LOVE to feature Maria Bamford or Mike Birbiglia on an album
at some point.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
At least for us, I think one of the most challenging aspects of band life is just navigating
creative disagreements and varying internal opinions. We’re all very sensitive people, and
put a lot of stock and value into our opinions. That being said, we’re also very conscientious
towards one another’s feelings, because we love each other and want everyone to feel safe
and heard. For this reason, we try to answer “Let’s try it” to any idea, and frame every
decision in terms of what best serves the song. Still learning–we don’t get it right 100% of
the time.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Drew used to make music videos for country music superstars. MC used to run merch at
ROMP, a wonderful bluegrass festival in Owensboro, KY. Zach used to play guitar for a great
country music artist, Kayla Woodson. Andrew is from Gainesville, FL, home of Tom Petty.
We find twangy music *pretty* interesting.
Jokes you have in the band?
“You try to debunk it, but you just can’t.” Ask us at a show.
Key to writing a song?
Try B major, that’s one of our favourites. Seriously though, I find that in songwriting it is very
helpful when you aren’t writing to impress anyone. Also, don’t be afraid to edit, revise, and
re-revise. A lot of our songs are written and rewritten over the course of years (our record is
7 years from initial write to recording).
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
The longest we’ve driven in a single 24 hour period to get from one gig to another is
Milwaukee, WI to Denver, CO (just over 1000 miles). To answer from a different
angle–we’re from Nashville, and the furthest we’ve played from home is Petaluma, CA
(2300 miles from home!)
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
One of the first shows we ever went to as a full band was Rozwell Kid back in 2017 at Exit/IN
in Nashville. We first met Adam Meisterhans at that show, who would go on to produce our
first ever recordings, and become a cherished mentor, collaborator, and friend. Whether
he’s playing with Rozwell Kid, Slaughter Beach Dog, or Whitten, he still blows us away every
single time we see him play.
New band you’d recommend?
SO many, too many to name! Our good friends in Townsel Turner (from Lexington, KY) just
put out an incredible new music video. We also love the bands Trustfall (Gainesville, FL), OK
Cool (Chicago), Pinksqueeze (Chicago), Khamsin (Nashville), The Daddy Sisters (Louisville,
KY), and Marble Teeth (IL).
Opening for this band would be ideal?
We got to fulfill our dream of opening for Rozwell Kid in September, and we’d love to play
more shows with them. Other dream support slots would be The Darkness, Weezer, Charly
Bliss, The Beths, No Doubt (reunion now please!!!), and PUP.
Place you’d most like to tour?
If I had to choose one place: Japan. It’s got everything–great culture, history, tea, ramen,
and pokemon. We love traveling, and we also dream of playing in the UK, Australia, Europe,
and maybe even Atlanta, Georgia if one day someone from that city replies to one of our
emails.
Quote that you’d like to pass on to our readers?
“You handle the quantity, God will take care of the quality” – Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?
The title of our new single, “Breakup Songs,” is kinda funny, because it’s just one song. It’s
called that because it’s a breakup song about writing breakup songs. For me, songwriting is
an important part of the healing and coping process. This song documents that non-linear
process.
See us live at?
This winter, we have a tour out to the US west coast supporting the Smoking Popes, and we
also have plans to make it up to Canada in the spring. You can keep up with our tour dates
here (https://www.songkick.com/artists/10065750-dreaded-laramie) (it gets updated
often–we play a lot of shows!)
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
Absolutely not, because the current days CONTAIN the old days, but then you also get the
current days. We can have it all. Also, the old days of music didn’t have our new single,
“Breakup Songs,” so how could they really be better?
Unusual merchandise?
MC screen prints every t-shirt and tote bag by hand. I’m not sure if that counts as unusual,
but the quantity and quality she’s able to bust out is certainly extra-ordinary. Some of our
shirts are pink and glow in the dark, you can buy one of those here
(https://thedreadedlaramie.bandcamp.com/merch/glow-in-the-dark-name-shirt)!
Variations you’d like to do on one of your songs?
We have a song called “Where Do The Hardcore Kids Go?” and we dream of one day
releasing an entire album of that song, but for all genres. There would be songs called
“Where Do The Ska Kids Go?” and “Where Do The Polka Kids Go?” and even “Where Do The
Power Pop Kids Go?”. They would all be the same song pretty much, but with the genre
word replaced, and maybe some extra accordion on the polka track.
What do your fans mean to you?
Our fans made our latest single, “Breakup Songs,” possible. That song is part of a project
that was crowdfunded, meaning our fans entirely financed it. We are incredibly grateful to
them for allowing us to make new music. It is also a total delight meeting fans
at shows and getting to sign posters, CDs, shirts, and, one time, a guitar. At the Fest this
year, we even had a fan (whom we love very much, shout out to Crit) bring us band-themed
friendship bracelets. Our super-kind fans have been a massive support to us over the last
year as we’ve been recording and touring on a whole new level.
X-rays or any other treatments needed for band injuries?
What’s the treatment for venues not emailing us back? Still in pain.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
It could be any of us, for the following reasons:
– If Andrew made us late, he made us stay in the car for ten extra minutes to finish the
chapter of the WWII audiobook he is listening to
– If Drew made us late, they were taking extra time to apply some wild and glam eye
makeup (worth it)
– If Zach made us late, he was probably at lunch with an elementary school classmate
whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years for an hour longer than planned
– If I (MC) made us late, it’s because I was too ambitious when routing the tour and
gave us a 15 hr drive between gigs
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
I would say it’s gotta be the Zebra. It’s dressed the same as all of its buddies and the only
animal that’s able to wear guitarmonies like a pattern.