Interview: Paul Watson of Dubmarine
Paul Watson of Dubmarine, Australia’s only indigenous infused reggae dub troupe, talks touring,new tracks and North-Straddy’s reggae-riddims festival, Island Vibe.
Paul, generally you play bass guitar for Dubmarine; I noticed on your MySpace though there’s a fewpictures of you performing on a six string, can you tell us a little about that?
There are lots of multi instrumentalists in the band man. I play guitar and bass, Joel our synthplayer is also the drummer for the Upsteppers, and an awesome one too. I play in the Upsteppers too- it’s a cool little roots reggae unit. The horn players, they play lots of different instruments in lots of different bands. D-Kazman, ourlead man, he does everything; he’s an actor, singer, and performer. Performance is performance really; we’re lucky, we all have lots of transferrable skills.
There are a total of nine of you in the band, it must be challenging to organize the sound and channel it towards an agreed idea. Are there any difficulties around the band’s size?
Mmmm it’s not actually; we’re pretty socialist in terms of the way the band runs. Logistically it hasits moments but everyone in the band is on board for that. Everyone is on the same page creativelyand everyone is clear about the Dubmarine sound. I think it’s just advantageous, really Dubmarine is just heaps of noise just happening all at once.We’ve rehearsed it and arranged things so tightly now, everyone’s part is totally vital.
You’ve been playing with Dubmarine since at least 2006, what’s been happening since your first fulllength album ‘Depth of Sound’ was released in December last year?
Well we’ve had a big year you know, we’ve been touring a lot, playing a lot of shows. Actually we’ve been in the studio recently too, working on a new single-getting back to our reggae roots; it’ll be out at the end of the year.
Hmmm, is that exclusive Paul?
Ahh, I dunno hey, it could be. I might not have told anyone just yet.
You mentioned getting back to your roots, what’s different about this track?
Well Depth of Sound had a lot of post production, there was lots of processing after recording….thisnew stuff will be much more live. We went in with the intent of doing it quickly and freely. Playing live dubs is such a trade mark ofour genre and post production blurs the line between what’s possible live and what’s not, so wewanted to just make it a more live live-show.
So is this track the first step in a whole new direction for Dubmarine?
No, no, no… It’s just more enhanced for live shows. I can’t see the electronic side disappearing from our sound completely, we love that kind of sound…. everything we play is always a live take. Everyone loves a bad ass synth right?
Yes Paul you’re right, we do, especially with a reggae twist. Is there just one single coming or can weget excited about an entirely new album Paul?
Yeah….. Next year we’ll be in the studio recording a whole new album.
That’s exciting! Plus, come this time in October you’ll be chilling on North Stradbroke Island forIsland Vibe. Going to Straddie for a festival Paul, is it all just too good to be true mate?
It’s a bit sandy but its good man. We actually played one of our first ever shows at the first IslandVibe, so that’s pretty cool… we’re excited to head back you know. It’s a unique festival and there’llbe lots of music that I dig.
What can we expect to come across during a Dubmarine show on the Island?
Lots of energy! Were a high energy band, we like to get things started straight away, get the crowdmoving.
If you’re a keen dub fan keep your ears pricked, the new single will launch in Brisbane at a secret time and place during December. Dubmarine will play the ‘Main stage’ at 7:45PM on day two of Island Vibe, Satuday the 29th of October. Check out the Island Vibe website for the line-up, tickets and more.