Welcome back to our Independent Interviews.
I am really happy to interview a great friend and a great independent singer-songwriter for you: Doug Dillman.
Hi Doug, I am very happy to host you and have a chat about you and music. Tell us about yourself: where were you born and raised, when did you decide you would be a musician in life? Or were there times when you were about to give up everything.
I was born and raised in Indiana.
I’ve wanted to be a musician from probably 5 years old .
I’ve never wanted to give up.
Who are your biggest influences? Who are your favorite artists?
My influences are alot of the old bluegrass guys like Ralph Stanley that I was raised on.
Keith Richard‘s is why I wanted to play guitar and John Mellencamp‘s “Jackie Brown” made me want to be a Songwriter.
The guy I’m currently listening to daily is Charley Crockett.
The life of an independent musician is hard, we know, how do you cope with life on the road? Do you like being on the road all the time? How do you manage to spend time with your family and loved ones?
I love being on the road but I do short runs so I’m not out for long hauls .
My longest stretch out last year was 16 days.
It’s a good balance with family and playing shows.
In which states have you played so far? Which is the venue you enjoyed playing the most? And where do you dream of playing one day?
I’ve played Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Arizona.
Listening Rooms are the best for playing because they are totally listening to your songs.
The ultimate venue would be the Ryman Auditorium.
It is a golden moment for independent music, are there any artists you would recommend? Or any songs you like to listen to all the time?
Yeah it truly is a golden era in independent music.
Charley Crockett‘s “I’m just a clown” is my jam right now.
But all his stuff is great!
Your album «Midwest USA» came out last year: tell us a little about this album, about its songs. Is there one you are more attached to?
Midwest USA Came out April 30, 2024 and is all original songs.
13 to be exact with one co write with Ted Russell Kamp from Shooter Jennings band.
Ted also produced 5 tracks.
I think “Why Should I care?” and “Shelby County Line” are my favorite tracks.
Where do you get the most inspiration for writing your songs? Have you ever thought about forming a fixed band to play on record and in the studio? Or do you prefer to be you and your guitar?
Inspiration comes from seeing something, hearing a story, dreaming.
Inspiration comes in many ways.
I do love performing the one man band style with guitar and a stomp box, but the albums usually have more instrumentation.
I did do an all acoustic album called Countryside a few years back and more recent I released “Chasing White Lines” and “The Long Lost Outlaw” which I recorded one man band style.
Those songs are what you get when you hear me live.
Do you have any new music coming out on the horizon? Or are you working on it?
My plan for new music is to release a couple songs at a time all year long as digital releases.
With streaming you have also reached my ears so far away, but I remember that I have a CD of yours in my collection because merchandising is fundamental: do you do everything by yourself or do you have someone who helps you with this additional work that an independent musician has to do?
I do much on my own as far as booking , merch and planning runs.
The help I get is with recording and I’m lucky to have talented friends to help with studio work.
Thank you Doug for your availability and good luck on your future projects.
Maybe one day we’ll meet at some club for a concert of yours.
Thank you Trex for your interest in my music and independent music in general.
Trex
