“It seems like there is a younger generation of people discovering our music”, The Dambuilders
After decades marked by side projects, individual careers, and a defining presence in the 1990s alternative music scene, The Dambuilders are now returning with a new lineup and new music. In this interview, the band reflects on their reunion, the creative process behind the single “Shrine 2026,” and how their time in Honolulu, Boston, and New York continues to shape their sound today.
By Sandra Pinto
Between memories of a generation that helped define college rock and a desire to explore new sonic directions, this comeback stands as a bridge between continuity and reinvention, as the band returns to live performances and looks to the future with renewed energy.
The Dambuilders’ return comes decades after your most active period in the 1990s. What led you to reunite the band now?
We had been talking about it for some time, but it took a while for the stars to align to make it happen. We’re all incredibly busy these days with musical and non-musical projects. Kevin is very busy with Guided by Voices, Sean with Luna and Claudia with different band projects as well as Broadway shows. I’ve been busy with Gramercy Arms and other projects.
The reason we got started had to do with Claudia, really. One night a few years ago, Claudia, Kevin March and I were at Sean Eden’s birthday party together and Claudia mentioned that she loved the Dambuilders music and knew all of our songs. That night we came up with the plan of doing a reunion.
“Shrine 2026” revisits one of your most iconic songs. What made you feel this was the right moment to return to it?
The new band sounded so good on the song that we felt we had to give it a go to re-record it. Kevin and I have been recording over the years together on various projects at the Magic Door Recording studios in Montclair, NJ and we wanted to see if we could bring new life to the song.
How does “Shrine 2026” relate to the original “Shrine” and the musical context in which it was created in 1994?
Sean Eden has such an iconic style of playing guitar. I think he’s one of the most underrated guitarists out there. He brings such a unique, expressionistic style and energy to the song that we wanted to capture on the song. We asked Doug Gillard who we’ve collaborated with in Guided by Voices. Gramercy Arms, and other projects to play as well.
The single is released in a traditional A/B format, paired with “I Hope We’re Not Too Late.” What is the conceptual relationship between these two tracks?
Both songs are really about looking backwards and have an element of longing to them. Shrine is about romance and rock and roll. I Hope We’re Not Too Late, is a sentiment that we feel really resonates right now. Kevin came up with the central lyrical idea. It has a sense of urgency. We hope we’re not too late, as a band, as individuals, as human beings in a world that seems like its running out of time. It’s a simple but really heavy and powerful message.
After so many years away from recording and touring as a band, how was the process of working together in the studio again?
It feels so natural to play with all of these people. We’ve all been playing together in different groups over the years. I feel as though Kevin and I have a really close connection sonically and rhythmically. When we play together it just sounds like the Dambuilders.
Your history spans Honolulu, Boston, and several key 90s alternative scenes. How do those environments continue to influence your sound today?
Hawaii will always be an influence to me. I was lucky enough to come up at a time when Honolulu had a surprisingly vibrant music scene. We’re featured in a fantastic new book about the Honolulu music scene called “Local Unrest” about the scene before and after our time there. Boston also had a huge impact on shaping our sound. That’s where we all came together and we were lucky to be part of a fantastic and inspiring collective of bands and musicians. New York is our home and where we continue to make music and be inspired by musicians, artists, writers, poets, dancers, actors etc. who continue to inspire us.
The current lineup includes new members such as Sean Eden and Claudia Chopek. What did they bring to The Dambuilders’ identity?
Kevin and I are so incredibly lucky to play with Claudia and Sean. Their musical abilities, their attitude, their friendship are so integral to what we do. It is a joy to make music with them and we feel grateful that they are part of the Dambuilders. For what it’s worth, original members Joan Wasser and Eric Masunaga, are also huge fans of their playing. Joan and Eric both totally support the new version of the band and play a role in our legacy. Eric has played with us and will continue to do so when he is available. Joan was in the Shrine 2026 video and we hope that maybe she will perform with us at some point down the line. We all continue to be friends and support the legacy of our band.
You worked with Ray Ketchem on production and Greg Calbi on mastering. What was it like collaborating with people so closely associated with iconic alternative recordings?
We’ve been working with Ray for years now. Sean plays in his band Elk City. Claudia, Kevin and I have performed with him in Gramercy Arms. Kevin is actually part of the Magic Door Record Label. He is an extremely talented engineer, producer, and all-around awesome human. He met Greg Calbi recently and learned that he was still mastering records. Working with Greg was fantastic. There is a reason he is so legendary. He did a fantastic job of unifying the songs sonically.
Your sound has often been described as a blend of emotional immediacy and sonic experimentation. Does that balance still define you today?
I definitely think so. In many ways, the bridge in our new song–”I Hope We’re Not Too Late” captures the improvisational freeform approach that was a huge part of the Dambuilders’ sound.
After such a long hiatus, how has your approach to songwriting and recording evolved?
One thing that we struggled with in the early days was the challenge of how to capture the energy and expressiveness of our live shows. I think we’ve gotten much better at that and have learned the importance of embracing raw imperfection. It’s been a long journey in some respects.
Your 90s catalog had a strong impact on American college radio. Do you feel that legacy still shapes how the band is received today?
I think so. It seems like there is a younger generation of people discovering our music.
Your touring years alongside bands like Lush, Luna, and Jeff Buckley marked a generation. Looking back, how do you remember that period?It was an amazing time to be in a band, and we were lucky to inspire and be inspired by others around us at that time.
Your music has always carried a strong emotional and narrative quality. Does that creative impulse remain the same now?
Yes, because it’s what drives us to create music. It has to have an emotional connection on some level.
Kevin March and Dave Derby remain at the core of the project. How would you describe your current songwriting dynamic?
As we move forward with creating new Dambuilders music we want to maintain that collective creative energy and involve the whole band. That makes sense especially given our embrace of improvisation.
After multiple side projects and individual careers, what do The Dambuilders allow you to explore that nothing else does?
I don’t think the Dambuilders ever quite sounded like anyone else. There were strong influences and similarities to other bands, but I think we put those elements together in a unique way. Playing in the Dambuilders is a celebration of what we do and will continue to do. A music journalist in the 90s once told me that he thought what made us unique was that we were four strong-willed people with very different musical visions. I think the same is true. Sean and Claudia are very different from Eric and Joan respectively but they have a similar sense of personal vision. I can’t wait to see what we create next.
The comeback includes shows in New York and Providence after 30 years. What do these dates mean to the band?
New York is our home and we always played here a lot even when we lived in Boston. Providence is a city we played in very often where we have many friends. We have a deep connection to both places.
How has it felt reconnecting with your original audience while also reaching new generations?
Great question! That dynamic has been the most joyful thing about doing these shows. It is amazing to share our music with people who knew us years ago and meet people who are discovering us for the first time. I can’t wait to play more so we can continue to experience this!
What can fans expect from this new chapter: continuity of the past or something entirely new?
I think a bit of both. We will continue to honor our past in a way that is uniquely the product of the new band but we are looking forward to creating new songs. We never finished our 50 songs for 50 states project and can’t wait to get working on the new ones!
Bandcamp https://dambuilders.
