Our May rotation of the New Moon Spotify Playlist features one of our favorite songwriters, San Francisco-based Doncat (Duncan Nielsen). His new single, “Once I Went to Las Vegas”, tells a debaucherous tale of a night spent wandering among the lights of the Las Vegas strip. Nielsen’s bookish lyricism, poised vocal delivery, and layered, chiming guitars blend together to create a gorgeous tapestry of sound. Pre-order Doncat’s new album, or buy tickets to his tour this spring on his website.
Featured Artist: Doncat
Q: Right away, we loved the sonic textures of your new song, “Once I Went To Las Vegas”. The instruments gel together so well, reminiscent of some of our favorite classic bands, but in a fresh way. Can you tell us about the recording of this song?
We recorded the song live with drums, bass and guitar, off-click to let it breathe in different parts, and then put a few more layers on top to build it out a bit. Guitars with tremolo and snappy delay, piano lines. Lots of folks have a distaste for The Eagles but they were a huge inspiration for the classic feel and arrangement of this song. It’s really just a simple groove with some playful rhythmic elements. Jesse Cafiero plays a synth sounds that imitates an organ, it makes it feel like a new sound while maintaining familiarity. We tracked the song at El Studio, as in “The Studio” which is a big warehouse converted into a rock oriented live room over off 101 and Cesar Chavez in SF. Half stacks everywhere and high ceilings. So our drummer Kyle Yahner and I setup in there, and our engineer and bass player Chris Sugiura engineered most of the record while playing bass from the control room! Most of the song is a single, intimate vocal to emphasize the idea of telling a story and to draw people into the narrative.
Q: Your lyrical style is very refined, almost reading like a short story at times. Who are some of your favorite writers and how do they influence your songwriting?
I’m currently reading Thomas Pynchon’s Inherent Vice – very playful with complexity, and uses coding and mystifying elements. I’m also just a sucker for LA stories – took a class at Berkeley once on literature of Los Angeles. Will always be a Mark Twain fan, incredible wit and ability to communicate dialect and colloquialisms very well. Also dig Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey because she gives the middle finger to gothic novels. And do I dare mention David Foster Wallace? Really cool off-the-cuff delivery. Has anyone finished Infinite Jest yet?
Q: We noticed that our lifestyles slowed down quite a bit when we moved out to the desert. With fewer distractions, we feel more present and aware. Do you have any rituals for staying grounded, creative, and productive?
My wife and I have a small dog named Lou, we go on walks twice a day or sometimes go to the beach. So many beautiful parks in San Francisco so it’s pretty easy to get outside and let your mind wander. The biggest distraction in my life is easily my cell phone – I surf maybe once a week, which is the best way I’ve found to unplug – can’t take your cell phone out in the water! The studio in my house has a gorgeous 180 view of SF – that helps a lot when I’m reflecting on a song or working out some parts. Just sit and look out the window.
Q: The New Moon is associated with new beginnings. Having moved on from your previous position as the lead guitarist for Geographer, what are some takeaways from performing on-stage with such an in-demand live act?
Playing for Geographer was an amazing experience – we opened for 3eb, the Flaming Lips, Ratatat, Cold War Kids … I learned to take a lot of deep breaths and to live inside each note you play on stage. Otherwise it’s all over before you blink! I also learned that eating edibles and getting on big stages are a tricky game to play… Also had a lot of weird staring contests with audience members…
Q: Do you make time for purposeful songwriting everyday, or do you wait until a song comes to you?
I wouldn’t say I write everyday, but my head is always inside a song I’m working out. Sometimes I sit down with a piano or guitar and just jam with no expectations, and something comes of that. Other times I get a picture of a feeling going on and try to channel that through a melody. It’s nice when a song presents itself, but I still put a lot of mindfulness into the entirety of a song.
About the New Moon Playlist
On the New Moon, the earth, moon, and sun align making us unaware of the moon’s presence in the sky. Without the visual presence and glow of the moon, other celestial bodies typically hidden now shine brighter. Our chances of seeing the sky clearly are heightened on this day, making it a day of clarity and new beginnings. Creatively it’s the perfect time to set intentions for a new cycle of dreams and goals, and ways of manifesting them.
To honor this monthly opportunity for fresh starts and creative beginnings, we’ve asked our friend and musician we admire, Chase McBride, to curate a monthly New Moon Spotify playlist.
Follow The Joshua Tree House on Spotify and be the first to hear new playlists. Last month’s New Moon Spotify Playlist featured artist Cape Weather.
