Features

Reflections on 2012 from Drive-By Truckers,The Meters, Dawes, Dark Star Orchestra

GRIFFIN GOLDSMITH — DAWES

Photo by Dean Budnick

What will you remember most about 2012?

Meeting Jimmy Page.

What album or albums have you listened to this most this past year?

Adventures in Paradise by Minnie Ripperton.

What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2012?

Father John Misty.

Any big plans in the works for 2013?

We’re releasing a record and will be touring in support of it.

2013 marks the 40th year of Relix Magazine. Do you remember the first time you read Relix? Is there an article that stands out for you?

I don’t remember the first time I read Relix. I really liked the article on Mumford and Sons in a recent issue.

JEFF MATTSON—DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

Photo by Vernon Webb

What will you remember most about 2012?

Playing in Amsterdam and London on the 40th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Europe ’72 tour. Curating our own festival for the first time, the Dark Star Jubilee. Phil Lesh sitting in with us for an entire set at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Barack Obama’s reelection (thank goodness!). Hurricane Sandy.

What album or albums have you listened to this most this past year?

The Harrow & the Harvest (Gillian Welch); The Whole Love (Wilco); Psychedelic Pill (Neil Young and Crazy Horse); the Europe ’72 Box Set (Grateful Dead); Election Special (Ry Cooder); Privateering (Mark Knopfler); Tempest (Bob Dylan); Bad as Me (Tom Waits); Dream Attic (Richard Thompson).

What was your favorite show or tour in 2012?

I didn’t get to see a whole lot of shows this year as I was on the road myself so much, but one of my favorites was Wilco at Terminal 5 in NYC. They pulled songs from all their albums for that tour and they just get tighter (and looser!) every year. I also saw the Carolina Chocolate Drops for the first time and it was funky and fun!

What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2012?

Although not exactly a new band, the word is My Bloody Valentine is finally coming out with a new album soon, so I am keeping my eye out for their return.

Any big plans in the works for 2013?

I will be finishing up a new album with the Donna Jean Godchaux Band that we have been recording down in Muscle Shoals, AL. We’re really excited about how we achieved our goal of “San Francisco Jam Sound Meets Muscle Shoals R&B Vibe” reflecting the two musical landmarks in Donna Jean’s career. Among others, the album features the legendary Muscle Shoals Horns. I am also very stoked that DSO is hosting its first tropical festival in the beginning of March in Negril, Jamaica, DSO’s Jam in the Sand. Likewise, we will also be hosting our 2nd Dark Star Jubilee Memorial Day Weekend at Legend Valley in Thornville, OH.

2013 marks the 40th year of Relix Magazine. Do you remember the first time you read Relix? Is there an article that stands out for you?

I have been subscribing to Relix since the mid 70s. I remember how excited I was when my band, The Volunteers (which became The Zen Tricksters) was written about in Relix. To give you an idea of how long ago that was, the cover story of that issue was about Pink Floyd’s new album, The Wall ! I have enjoyed reading that magazine all through the years and look forward to receiving every issue.