ASSISTED STRETCHING

Taylor Goldsmith talks Dawes' latest genre-extending effort and the benefits of bringing a hired guitarslinger on tour.

- ALAN PAUL

THE GROUP DAWES debuted in 2009 with North Hills, a fresh slice of Americana distinguished by its vintage vibe. The album was the product of young guys who had musical depth beyond their years. Singer/ guitarist Taylor Goldsmith was 24; his drum-playing brother, Griffin, was 19; and bassist Wylie Gelber was 21. North Hills marked a left turn from the indie rock the Los Angeles natives played in the band's previous incarnation, when it was known as Simon Dawes and featured lead guitar wunderkind Blake Mills.

Over the 14 years since their debut, Dawes have expanded their palette, reaching into a variety of styles, including minimalist pop rock and '80s synth sounds. Their eighth album, last summer's Misadventures of Doomscroller (Rounder), extends the band's reach even further. Produced by Jonathan Wilson, who worked with them on their first two releases, it's a musically expansive effort on which Goldsmith takes extended solos and the compositions hint at prog rock and even fusion. The album features the band's core of the Goldsmith brothers, Gelber and keyboardist Lee Pardini, but onstage the group is augmented by Trevor Menear, who shines as lead guitarist.

Prior to Dawes' 2023 spring tour, Gelber announced that he would be leaving the band to focus on his custom instrument company, Gelber & Sons. At press time, the group had not announced a replacement. We spoke to Goldsmith from New York City, where he was living while his wife, actress Mandy Moore, filmed the Hulu show Dr. Death.

Dawes' first two albums had a very folky Americana vibe, but the group has moved away from that over the years. Why is that?