The lovely Brie McWane, Dave McWane, and Erin MacKenzie (all of Big D & The Kids Table) were kind enough to share some insider info and answer a few questions about their new project The Doped Up Dollies for us Dying Scenesters!
Front-lady Brie had this to say about her hopes for the music:
“We want our listeners to take a positive outlook from this record. The world can be a dark and negative place sometimes and we wanted to present an outlet to our listeners and find strength within themselves. You need to make your own sunshine sometimes and put out that PMA!”
Stay in the loop and check out the full scoop on The Doped Up Dollies recording process, musical influences, and aspirations below!
You can stream their first single “Make Your Own Sunshine” here.
1) How does this working on this project differ from other projects you have been a part of?
Brie: Well for one this is our first solo record so there was a lot more involvement on our parts obviously. But the really BIG difference is that we recorded this entire record in a small cabin up in New Hampshire. Engineer Benny Grotto with assistant Steph Durwin brought their mobile recording equipment and recorded every instrument and vocal you’ll hear on the record. It was amazing and a blast. We had a full house of people sleeping on mattresses on the floor and I kept them beered and fed throughout the week. It was like punk rock sleep-away camp!
Dave added some intimate details: The music for the record was recorded at my cottage in the woods in 2 days with nothing prepared. We just talked about a song, rehearsed it, then recorded it. This was in the summer. Everyone was happy to be out of the city. Then all the girls and horns came to my cottage this winter and we finished the album. We had to shovel out a path in the tall tall snow for the amps. It was recorded by Benny Grotto’s mobile MAD OAK recording rig in my cottage in the woods with the assistance of Steph Durwin. And yes, deer came out everyday to visit us 🙂 It was crazy. We first came up with the DupD solo album idea during the Fluent In Stroll’s recording session, 6 years ago. The whole process was relaxed, fun, and with friends.
Erin: This project differs from The Doped Up Dollies older work because we were able to step to the front with our own unique sound, style, and personality that differs from Big D and the Kids table.
2) What is the biggest inspiration behind The Doped Up Dollies music?
B: The biggest inspiration I would say is just the opportunity to take the genre of Stroll and really put it on the map. We have had such a blast working and touring with Big D over the years that we really wanted to hone in on our love for the style we play. The guys were excited to switch it up and back up the backup singers for this record!
E: The biggest inspiration behind this music is women empowerment. We are not only inspired by artists like Shirley Ellis, No Doubt, Amy Winehouse, and groups like the Supremes, but we are inspired by what they stand for and how they have impacted music as we know it today.
3) How did you come up with the name for the group?
B: It was a lyric from Noise Complaint by Big D and the Kids Table… “…them doped up dollies gigglin'” Dave could probably answer that question better!
4) Is there a message you’re trying to leave people with through your work?
B: Yes! We want our listeners to take a positive outlook from this record. The world can be a dark and negative place sometimes and we wanted to present an outlet to our listeners and find strength within themselves. You need to make your own sunshine sometimes and put out that PMA! Everyone seems to love it 🙂
E: Yes! Girls rule and boys drool.
The Doped Up Dollies consist of:
Sirae Richardson, Brie McWane, Erin MacKenzie – Lead Vocals
Alex Stern – Guitar / Vocals, Ben Basile – Bass, Derek Davis – Drums, David McWane – Percussion, Vocals, Dubs, Tongue Drum, Casey Gruttadauria – Organ, Piano, Melodica, Andy Bergman – Bari / Tenor Saxophone, Paul E. Cuttler – Trombone, Dan Stoppelman – Trumpet
Special Guest Artists:
Maddie Ruthless , Coolie Raux, Billy Kottage – Vocals
Credits:
Engineered by Benny Grotto in a small cottage in the woods of New England, Assistant Engineer by Steph Durwin, Mastered by Jeff Lipton @ Peerless Mastering, Photos by Mark Stern, Songs written by: Big D and the Kids Table and The Doped Up Dollies, Produced by David McWane, Benny Grotto, Alex Stern & The Doped Up Dollies