Limited tickets are left for DD Dumbo’s two Castlemaine shows at the Theatre Royal in March.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Castlemaine musician (real name Oliver Perry) and his debut album Utopia Defeated won the Triple J Australian Album of the Year in November.
He swiftly followed up by having two songs – Satan and Walrus – voted into the Triple J Hottest 100 songs at 44th and 47th place respectively.
“I was certainly happy with that. I wasn’t intending to get in there but it’s nice to be voted in,” he said.
“As for the album, I really didn’t expect to get that. It wasn't the most popular record but the award isn’t rated on that. It was definitely a surprise.”
The Castlemaine talent is following up a strong three months with two homecoming shows at the Theatre Royal.
“It has been a while since I played in Castlemaine. I can't remember the last time,” Dumbo said. “I did a little low key gig in the middle of last year at a recording studio. I’m thrilled to be playing at the Theatre Royal.”
Utopia Defeated took Dumbo three years to conceive and record.
“It was a fair while. The lead up to actual recording was about three years in total,’ he said.
“Over those three years, I record stuff myself, I had half the songs down and ended up scrapping them.
“Eventually I went onto a label (4AD) who convinced me to come to a studio in Wandsworth (in London). I spent about three months over there.”
The experience of recording his debut album was couple with being discovered at South by Southwest in 2014.
It was the same year he was Unearthed as part of the line-up at Groovin the Moo.
“South by Southwest is a very full on festival. I don’t know if I would want to go again it’s so chaotic,” he said.
“But I really appreciated the opportunities I had there. That’s where 4AD saw me and wanted to sign me.”
Dumbo’s passion for music came from his childhood when he and his brother received a keyborard from their grandmother.
“I remember being captivated by that keyboard and then learning a couple of instrument in primary school and guitar in high school,” he said.
“That’s when I thought about (being a musician) as a teenager but I didn't expect it to seriously happy.
“Luckily I’ve fallen into it. I never had the drive to pursue it as a career and am fortunate to be helped by others who think this worthwhile.”
The homecoming gigs will feature a variety of instruments including trumpets, clarinets, wind chimes and Indian harps.
DD Dumbo is at the Theatre Royal on March 8 and 9.