Many bands spend their pre-concert time while on tour with a steady mix of sleeping late, soundchecks, publicity work and pre-show meet-and-greets. Deciding what to wear for that night's theme isn't usually on the top of a touring musician's to-do list-unless that band is the Ditty Bops.
"I love putting on a show," said Amanda Barrett, one-half of the unusual but fascinating band Ditty Bops with Abby Dewald. Barrett called recently from Los Feliz, Calif., where she and Dewald were still pulling together that night's "prom" theme. Other shows have gone beyond the music to include skits and costumes related to circus or even underwater themes.
"Sometimes we have a show like tonight's, where we've been scrambling for the right theme for this venue," Barrett added. "We also have a long list of ideas that we've written down when they pop into our heads. The idea is the easy part. It's making it work that can be interesting."
As a band whose catchy, yet exceedingly quirky music is tough to describe with one tidy term, the Ditty Bops - performing at High Noon Saloon Thursday - have bucked the commercial music industry trends at every step.
For Barrett, a former model and theater student, music is a fairly recent occupation. She only recently learned to play the mandolin and was taught dulcimer by her mother, a Celtic musician. Her musical collaboration with her friend Dewald, a talented guitarist herself, was nearly an overlooked afterthought.
After meeting at a showing of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and working together at a California farmers' market, Barrett and Dewald put their musical heads together and the resulting material was a melding of early 20th century ragtime jazz, soaring harmonies and whimsical poetry. It didn't sound like anything being played on the radio, yet unlike artists who toil for years without any attention from the mainstream recording industry, the Ditty Bops found themselves with a major-label deal from Warner Bros. Records after one of their first shows.
"Getting a record deal was definitely a surprise," Barrett said. "We wouldn't have played this kind of music if we were looking for a deal. At the same time, it's such a long process. Getting a deal is just the beginning. "It's not like 'Here's your deal, now you're a star,' " she said with a laugh. "The best parts have been getting the chance to make an album with Mitchell Froom (a producer whose credits include Elvis Costello and Los Lobos) and getting the chance to tour behind our own music. It's really been a lot of fun."
The duo's self-titled debut album is a diverse mix of songs. From the up-tempo "Wishful Thinking" to the more brooding and swampy "Ooh La La," Barrett and Dewald's creativity and originality shine through.
While the duo's music is steadily building an audience through progressive radio airplay, appearances on programs like public radio's "Prairie Home Companion" and soundtrack spots for the TV series "Grey's Anatomy," they've regularly played to capacity crowds near their Los Angeles residences. Touring as a developing band doesn't mix with the often elaborate homemade sets, puppets and costumes that usually accompany a Ditty Bops show, but they've succeeded in clubs on the East and the Midwest.
Their previous visit to Madison earlier this year - a quasi- homecoming for Barrett, whose mother moved to the city in recent years - earned an endorsement and airplay from WMMM 105.5 FM ("Triple M").
"It isn't too surprising that people are interested in hearing new and diverse music," Barrett said. "Often, I think record labels are afraid to push bands that don't sound like others, but people in general are open to new sounds and the labels and radio just need to open up to new things. For me, it's wonderful when something stands out from the usual."
More From The Ditty Bops
As predicted, our Publisher, Jerry Hinkle, did precious little besides looking at The Ditty Bops web site. He found some good video footage of their appearance on "Late Night with Conan O' BRIen" where Ms. Amanda "shakes like jelly on a plate" during a spirited performance of "Sister Kate". For some reason that's his favorite video clip. Jerry took so many cold showers between viewings that all they have on the Ponderosa for drinking is hot water. Coffee, anyone?
Rain is coming down on the Ponderosa today. If he needs another clod shower, maybe he will get thrown outside.
Publishers Notes
by Jerry Hinkle
If anyone has had a bigger, more eventful month than I have had, I'd sure like to know who it could be. Meeting Ms. Amanda was a wonderful start, and it didn't end there. I've made a couple of fairly good friends on the Ditty Bops web site. Of course, I have also discovered that I'm not the only fan of Ms. Amanda, but I haven't met anyone who loves her as much as I do. After all, I love her enough that I don't need to be with her every minute of the day. I know that, in spite of what some have said, she and I will meet again someday. Not soon, but again.
Also this Jedi thing came on rather quickly. One thing I should point out is that I have yet to see the first 3 episodes of the "Star Wars" saga, and I haven't seen any of the last 3 episodes for 19 years. When I took that test, the Force was indeed with me. Of course, this whole "Star Wars" business means that I won't be joining the South Dakota 123 "News" category anytime soon.
The beginning of June means 52 shopping days until Emorymas. This year it will be one of the best celebrations ever. We're all curious as to how Donna Kennedy's DVD will turn out.
The Poll question for the month of June is centered on Ms. Amanda. It will be, "How long before Jerry Hinkle loses interest in Ms. Amanda?". We'll see how in tuned with my mind you Readers really are. Will it be a month, a year, or longer? We'll have to wait and see. I'm wondering how long this will go on myself. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
That's it for this Month see ya'll in June!