Dust Adam Dust

In 2007, Anna and Jason found a book in an old cabin in rural Manitoba, “The Book of Happiness” complete with answers to all of life’s questions and a chapter dedicated to the dangers of philosophy and existentialism. To quell the spirituous and rebellious question: “Why do I Exist” the book shared the answer: “DUST = ADAM = DUST” with images: two dust piles, the = signs and a man in the middle.

“We laughed a little at the image that was staring back at us – in spite of our disagreement with the very nature of the book – they had found some truth. We’re either the masters of our understanding of the world or we’re all just a bunch of fools – trying to convince ourselves that we’re living and we know why.” Said lead vocalists Jason and Anna Hovland.

The two write lyrics and vocal lines inspired by the humour of The Kinks, James Thurber or Miriam Toews, the scathing biting honesty of Charles Bukowski, the frantic, cryptic delivery of Fiery Furnaces, and soothing ballads of Teenage Fanclub. Themes of unrest, beauty, and wonder in the universe and the intricate microcosms of human interaction and behaviour.

“In the prairies you spend a lot of time in the extremes. You feel like the master of the land or an insignificant spec in the starkly open sky, you feel the fury or peace of the winter - or the endless possibilities or fear of the end in the summer – and it all moves so slowly. We write about the transition in, to, and from these spaces – and we gravitated to talented and nice people that feel and think like us.”

D.A.D. started as an in-house husband and wife vocal project in Winnipeg in 2007 (influenced by The Velvet Underground (and Nico), Stereolab, and Spiritualized) and grew into a jangly, rock-pop group laden with triumphant riffs and ballads (Built to Spill, Otis Redding) when they welcomed Alex Janusz (The Dead Letters) and Steve Pennicook (Feed the Birds) in 2008. The group played live shows throughout Winnipeg and toured Western Canada with the release of their debut self-titled album in the summer of 2011. Scott Ellenberger (Mahogany Frog) joined in 2012 as the songs grew in complexity and scope.

Since then, the group has played and organized many local events (Summer’s End Celebration in Lorette, MB; a Psychedelic Light Show for Culture Days; The Sircus – Winnipeg Winter Solstice and contributed the single You Went Out for a compilation album and fundraiser for Neil Hope Songs in the Key of Hope.

The group will be touring Eastern Canada with 8 new demo tracks in September-October 2013 and will begin working on their next full-length studio recording in November.

There is an honest connection and cohesion presented onstage notes Anna “I write what I see – he writes what he feels, it comes down to: this is what we experience in life – and this is how we feel about it.”