There’s nothing better than going to a show to see a band you’ve never heard before and being totally blown away. Two years ago I attended EMP’s Sound Off! with no big expectations but instead had Dyno Jamz completely win me (along with the rest of the city) over and watched them walk away the new winners of the biggest underage battle of the bands competition in Seattle. Dyno Jamz perfectly blends hip hop, jazz and catchy beats into music that sounds good in any setting. With a good band name, trumpets, trombones, passionate musicians and a charming MC, how could you not love them.
I’ve been hearing about Dyno Jamz ever since. The band has definitely been staying busy over the past couple of years, playing some of Seattle’s biggest music festivals and receiving plenty of well-deserved attention. I was lucky enough to sit down with them before their practice earlier this week to ask them a few questions.
Before I share, let me begin with a disclaimer: I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to interview a band with 9 members, each with their own opinion and answer to my questions. While this was obviously normal for them, I found it to be hilarious. I don’t know what would happen if you tried to herd dinosaurs, but if its anything like herding cats then their name is fitting.
TVD: How have things have changed since winning Sound Off! 2 years ago?
DJ (Zac Millan, MC): We work as a group better now and have discovered our sound more. Before Sound Off! we were only together for about three months and now we are locking in what we want our music to sound like. Our next project will be a better representation of the evolution of Dyno Jamz (no pun intended).
TVD: What has been your favorite show you’ve played so far?
DJ (Nick Simmons, bass) : Folklife was cool because we were able to actually look out over the crowd without all the lights in our faces.
DJ (Colin Pulkrabek, trombone): The crowd was sitting when we started and by the end of the show everyone was dancing.
DJ (Zac): I’m more excited about the future. I think it’s more about what’s to come and what we have to look forward to. We have some potential shows coming up that should be pretty memorable.
TVD: If your music was to take the form of an animal, what do you think it would be?
DJ: A chimera.
Note: If you don’t know what a chimera is, neither did I. I guess I need to brush up on my knowledge of mythological creatures. Also, don’t be fooled…it took the band a while to come to this answer, they started with a platypus and also discussed the hydra.
TVD: What would be your dream venue to play?
DJ: Central Park, Safeco Field, The Paramount, Sydney Opera House, Jazz Alley, the main stage at Capitol Hill Block Party, Hyde Park, in the reservoir on a floating stage.
Note: Those were some of the many ideas that were shouted out but they told me I could come up with the final answer to this one…so I’m going to say I’d like to see Dyno Jamz play in a giant glass snow globe…underwater?
TVD: What are you listening to now?
DJ (Zac): People Under The Stairs
DJ (Colin): Nujabes
DJ (Nick): AgesandAges
I wanted to know what would be in Dyno Jamz’ dream green room. Bear with me while I do my best to create a compilation of the long list of things that were suggested. Their dream green room would be a cabin in the woods. The interior of the cabin would be “not dirty” and tranquil, with a mini waterfall and a bridge. They would be offered massages, bourbon, and lets not forget the chocolate fondu fountain. When it was time for them to play, they would be airlifted to the show…at lightspeed. Another option they mentioned: 9 separate green rooms.
I asked the band if they had any music guilty pleasures. I really liked their final answer which was that there “isn’t really any guilty pleasures in music.” Before they agreed on this answer Lady Gaga, Bonnie Raitt, “Whip My Hair” by Willow Smith, and Rebecca Black were all mentioned (naturally).
My final question for Dyno Jamz was what one musician (dead or alive) they would choose to spend the day with…but the catch was that they had to agree on one person. When I used the word “agree” their immediate response was “uh oh..” but they finally settled on Quincy Jones (honorable mentions: Mos Def, Tom Waits, Miles Davis and Mr. Rodgers).
Although my time with the band was short, there was something about the interview that stuck with me that I feel couldn’t be translated to text very well. It might be easier to understand what I mean by listening to their music because it will make your soul smile. Nothing makes me feel more energized than interacting with passionate people and this interview was a prime example.
When I asked them what was in the future for Dyno Jamz they explained to me that they really like the music they make and want to keep doing it regardless of the interest they are receiving from the industry. They are very wary of “the big break” and have no interest in trying to get big quick. Dyno Jamz is composed of extremely down to earth people who aren’t trying to take the fast track to the top, but are more interested in enjoying the process. Why? Because they love making music. I think this is perfectly put in “Lunar Ops” when Zac conversationally explains at the end of the song that “whether [he’s] affecting one person or one million, [he] can still keep [his] head high and that’s what’s real.”
Dyno Jamz will be playing at the Hard Rock Seattle on April 9th with Theoretics. In addition to the night of good music you will experience if you attend, you will also score the Theoretics’ debut CD for free!
If you can’t make it to the April 9th Hard Rock show, you’ll have another chance to catch them at the Showbox SoDo on April 14th with Living Proof and Kung Foo Grip (tickets on sale soon).
You can buy their Dyno Jamz‘ self-titled album on their website and check out their Facebook for more information.
