Cheer up baby, The new Dolour release is finally on the way!

But Shane pressed forward. First touring L.A. and then New York, where he would find new representation. His brother Brandon Tutmarc also stepped in and designed a solid web page and helped organize a loyal following that is continuing to grow at a steady pace. On top of rebuilding his team and his name Shane found time to try his hand at producing for the singer songwriter Ian Mcglynn. And finally he recorded and produced the long awaited follow up to "Suburbiac".

Audio Mafia was able to catch both Shane and his brother Brandon at a small private tavern in Queen Ann where we enjoyed a few pitchers of beer while listening to the soundtrack of a digital Johnny Cash.

AM: First of all, Shane, tell me a little about the last two years. You had to be a little discouraged after The Fugitive Records deal, are you (legally) able to talk about that?:

Shane: Well, since I am no longer legally bound to Fugitve, I guess I can talk about whatever I want. Fugitive had amazing ideals to begin with. Essentially, the founder of the label heard some demos I was doing (for what became Suburbiac) and started the label to put the record out. At the time he claimed his goal was to "start an arty label, that I can put out cool little records like yours". All that changed once the response of our record and the Divorce’s were so positive (and potentially lucrative). Greed became the new creed, and goodbye "cool little arty label". Its sad because, with the Divorce and us, since we made records that got attention, we ended up shooting ourselves in the foot. One of the reasons Fugitive really appealed to be in the first place was I was promised endless studio time. They said I would be able to come in after-hours to the studio and work on multiple records at a time. As things turned out, I didn’t step foot in their studio again after finishing Suburbiac. Luckily, I had just bought a home ProTools set up, and was cranking out demos for the next album. By the time Suburbiac was released I already had over two albums worth of recordings. By Spring 2003, when they were contractually obligated to get me in the studio for the next album, they could see I really wanted out. Then I started slowing rebuilding my team surrounding myself with loved ones and those who had a passion for the project. To make a long story longer... once I knew I wouldn’t be doing my next record for Fugitive, my buddy Jason Holstrom (U.S.E. and Wonderful) volunteered to help me finish up some of the home recordings I had done and that turned into NEW OLD FRIENDS. So from about May thru this January we’ve been meeting a couple times a week (other than when I’m on the road, or he’s working with his projects) and going thru these demos of mine and polishing them up. They have a real organic vibe to them, very different from the sorta slick Suburbiac sound. I dig it.

AM: So do you think you prefer producing records on your own over the traditional studio work?

Shane: the environment doesn't effect things as much as you'd think. For me, when I get into that creative space, it doesn't matter where I'm at or who's gear I am using. I've found the most crucial element to making albums is your relationship with your crew. If I am working with someone who doesn't get my sense of humor or vice versa, the record could be a disaster. If everyone's enjoying each-others company, then the record will be fun to make. Although, I have done decent work under stressful situations, I do my best work with positive energy flowing.

AM: You also produced a record for (New Jersey's) Ian Mcglynn, have you caught the producing bug, do you want to produce for more artists?

Shane: Yeah, the record should be out in early Spring. I met some people out in NY when I was there last June, and it resulted in me being flown out there again in August to produce my first outside project. Even though I had never done an outside record before, I requested to have full responsibility of the arrangements and the production ( verses just flying out there and pressing "record"). They said OK, and the record has really turned out beautifully. I hope anyone that is interested in my music checks out this record, I am very proud of it. I'm not sure how much more producing I'll do, but it feels very natural for me, and its a great way to step outside of my own music and see the big picture.

AM: On top of producing in New Jersey you also toured New York and LA last year. Do you plan to return this year?

Shane: Yeah, I did a few solo tours this last summer, where I put a band together in LA and another one in NY. It was a pretty crazy situation, when I look back on it, but it seemed like what I had to at the time. Over the past year I’ve figured out how to be in control of most aspects of how things are run... but unfortunately, touring is not one of them. I would love to do a full US tour in support of this record, but that depends on a number of other people: my management, a booking agent - where are you?, and a big touring band that could take us out. That being said, there are a number of options that are in the works right now, so we’ll see.

AM: Have you found there to be a lot of support for Dolour on the other side?

Shane: Yeah, it was great to get out of Seattle and play to new faces. I was very surprised to find a handful of people at each show (in LA and NY) that were able to sing along to every song! New York has been an incredibly supportive place for me in the last 6 months. My lawyer and management are based out there, and I have some good friends in New Jersey since my first trip to the East Coast in June.

AM: I heard a rumor not long ago that you were seriously thinking about moving to LA, any truth here?

Shane: There was a period of time where I got very cynical about Seattle and felt that ANY other city would be a better place to live. But after being on the road for most of the summer, coming home felt a bit better. I have some amazing friends here, without whom this new record would probably not have even been completed. So moving is not one of my immediate plans. Although I could see myself living in LA or NY in the next couple of years.

AM: Brandon, you seemed to have really picked up a lot of promotion work for Dolour by creating and maintaining the web site, what kind of response have you received from the page?

Brandon: My favorite response from the site is that someone emailed saying that their friend checks dolour.com every day at school during her lunch break. That's ideal. Because you can have the slickest, flashy website, but if there isn't new stuff posted on the site all the time, it's just a waste of space. That's why we try to consistently update the site with MP3's, pictures, news, etc. to keep the fans excited

AM: And you worked on the U.S.E site as well, any other projects (past/ahead)

Brandon: ianmcglynn.com is my most recent project. Wonderfulmusic.net was my first non-Dolour work, and then from that it spread into b-siderecords.com, and tennispromusic.com. Now, I'm working on a new layout for dolour.com, the ideas of what we want are pretty much ready, we're just deciding upon the little things now. As well as doing the artwork for "New Old Friends". Dolour is a full-time job! (laughs)

AM: You guys seem to make a pretty effective team, do you see yourselves working together on long term basis?

Shane: NO! (laughs) Yeah, its something that works very naturally, that's always the best. It might go back to when we were kids and we'd make movies. I'd always be the director, and he'd usually be the star. We've always had that creative connection.

Brandon: Totally. Dolour.com for life!

AM: I know this is a bit of an odd question, Shane, but I was reminded when U.S.E was mentioned: I had seen you play bass at some of the earliest U.S.E. shows. Were you one of the original members?

Shane: Yeah, well I live with most of the guys from Wonderful (who make up most of USE). While they were working on their record and I was finishing up Suburbiac, we’d go down to their practice space and just make dance jams to get our daily frustrations out. Dolour and Wonderful, at that point, had a lot of stress factors; so it was great to be able to turn to another kind of music to release that tension. By the time Suburbiac came out, I didn’t have time to focus on two very active bands, so my duty was handed over to our friend Derek Chan. It is a project, though, that is very close to my heart and I was glad to be a part of that creative process. Being that I live with them, I still occasionally throw down some jams. I guess I’m still a spiritual member, which works out perfect for me.

Dolour - "New Old Friends" will be released Feb 10th

AM: Tell me a little bit more about "New Old Friends". Was this album written after the Fugitive debacle? Is that reflected in the album?

Shane: Well, I feel that anyone that knows me or knows what I've been thru the last 2 years will be able to see traces of it throughout the record. Some of these songs date back to before Suburbiac, others are a direct reaction to post-Suburbiac events. I hope, though, that the songs transcend the times that they were written in.

AM: I just realized you said you had over two albums worth of recordings, does this mean we might see another Dolour release soon?

Shane: We'll see. It's taken so long to get this record out, I would just like to see this record reach all the ears that need to hear it. I had written and recorded a whole other record between Suburbiac and New Old Friends that ended up getting lost in the shuffle. It's called Ana Paradisimo, and I had planned it as a quick follow-up to Suburbiac. It's way more heavily orchestrated than either Suburbiac or New Old Friends, but essentially its time had passed and I went back to a writing style that suits my mood swings better. Songs on Ana Paradismo were like short stories or novelettes, while New Old Friends is more like newspaper journalism covering currently breaking stories. (laughs) One thing you may be seeing sooner than later is a Dolour DVD, featuring clips from shows over the last few years, and also music videos and whatever else we decide to throw in. At this point, I'd like to see it available by this Summer, but things always take forever. We'll see.