The second coming of DappledCities Fly

Tue 22nd Aug, 2006 in Features

To be in Dappled Cities Fly right now must be an exciting time. They’ve just come back from L.A where they spent seven weeks working on their second LP, Granddance. Yesterday they signed a label deal with SpeaknSpell over beers. It’s all go from here for Dappled Cities Fly. Oh, and there’s a new member to the band too.

Dave Rennick is in a jovial mood, recovering from the flu and the roller coaster ride that was LA. He explains, “I got ferociously sick on the airplane, so I’ve been housebound for the last five days. We’ve actually got our first rehearsal this Sunday and I’d hadn’t even seen the other guys until last night when we signed.”

Dappled Cities’ first LP A Smile wowed audiences with their eclectic indie rock. Known for their playful live shows featuring fairy lights and stuffed toys, the band are also renowned for bringing their own unique energy and sound to venue after venue.

Rennick discusses what fans can expect from their second album, “It’s a lot grander, more bigger sounds- along the lines of the Beach Boys, late Flaming Lips and so on. Lots of synths and organised sounds, as opposed to noodly Pavement guitar rock. We recorded 16 tracks, but we’re gonna have to cut three or four and maybe release an EP in the next year.” he beams.

How Dappled Cities Fly ended up in L.A for the recording of the second album is a story in itself. At the end of last year, the band were planning to record the album themselves. However, an opportunity came up that was too good to pass. “We thought, let’s just make all these demos then and make the album even better, so that’s what we did.” Dave offers.

Working with producers Jim Fairchild and Peter Walker, the band did not feel pressured during the entire recording process. “It was clear that we wanted to develop and it was obvious that it was going to happen, so there was no real stress. It’s good when your first album is not really massive, because there’s not pressure for the second album.”

The relationship with producers was a laidback affair, Dave describes. “They were great. They’re both musicians. They’ve had a lot of experience in the studio and what not. It was like hanging out with chums and all of us making combined decisions.”

New member on keys is long time friend Ned. Dave confirms that the band is now a five piece, despite Ned not going to L.A for the recording process. “He’s in the band, full-stop. We made him sign a contract. Against his will, in blood.” he jokes. “Last year it became clear that we needed someone in the band properly; you know on the books and so on, to be with us in the long term.”

Dappled Cities have been overseas for most of the year, recording album number two and playing at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. The band played a showcase show infront of industry bigwigs, where they received a few words from their manager. “He took us aside and sat us down for this pep talk that we’ve never heard before. He was like ‘You just gotta fucking do it tonight’. It was nerve-wracking but once we got onstage it was like any other gig,” he laughs.

Expect to see Dappled Cities Fly touring shortly in October. As for first single news, Dave can only reveal so much. “It should hit the radio pretty soon, within a month or a few weeks. I can’t tell you what it is yet, ‘cause it could be either one or the other. I might lie if I tell you which one it is. I’ve done that before; the last interview I did with Fasterlouder actually, and I revealed the album then and now its not actually the album name anymore.”