Pop's Fine For Now

DMA’S aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel. Guitarist Johnny Took tells Cyclone that there’s something special about honest pop and talks about playing a gig earlier than scheduled so that Liam Gallagher could watch them and still make the Manchester Derby kick-off.

Are DMA’S, Sydney’s famed Britpop nostalgists, flirting with dance music? The band have recorded For Now, the much-anticipated follow-up to 2016’s Hills End, with The Presets’ Kim Moyes, after all.

Guitarist Johnny Took admits that fans may be curious about Moyes’ involvement as co-producer. But, as millennial rock kids, Took, second guitarist Matt Mason and frontman Tommy O’Dell are eager to venture out — even as they deliver “some cracking tunes”.

“The biggest thing was his experience,” Took says of Moyes, “’cause we’ve only made the one record, so it’s a never-ending kinda learning curve — I think music is in general.” Moyes’ electronic background specifically appealed to a band with a “guitar-based DIY style”. “It wasn’t the most obvious choice, but our weakest side of things is synths and beats and stuff like that, which he was really able to teach us a lot [about] and really push us in that regard.” In fact, as last year’s hit Dawning highlights, DMA’S have primarily expanded on their guitar-pop. Indeed, For Now impresses with its psych-rock sound. “We did lots of the tracking to tape, which was another one of Kim’s ideas, to get that full, lush kind of loudness to it.”

Still, DMA’S have cut a “disco” number, The End — evoking a melancholy Years & Years. Took shared an experimental Ableton demo with Moyes during their first studio session, never imagining it would make For Now. “I went, ‘Oh Kim, I’ve been working on a track that’s a little bit more electronic-based and whatnot and I’d love to hear your opinion.’ Then, basically, after I played it to him, he sent a message to Johann [Ponniah] from [the label] I OH YOU and our manager and said, ‘You have to let me have a stab at this track’.” DMA’S even guest on The Presets’ upcoming “pub techno” LP, HI VIZ.

DMA’S evolved out of an earlier band, Underlights, which had O’Dell playing drums and Took bass. Collaring Mason, the taut new outfit drew on their adoration of ‘90s Britpop groups — notably Oasis — and Madchester heroes The Stone Roses (O’Dell’s dad is, incidentally, from Northern England). In 2014 DMA’S presented their eponymous EP, breaking out with Delete. Two years later came Hills End, which entered the ARIA Top 10. Along the way, DMA’S crushed the international festival circuit. They performed a not-so-secret-set at Glastonbury.

There’s something to be said for just straight-down-theline pop songs with honest lyrics.”

Bands can be sensitive about media comparisons, preferring to establish their own identities. However, DMA’S have always welcomed them — often being tagged an Oasis throwback. “I kinda know we’re not reinventing the wheel so much,” Took volunteers. “But also I think there’s something to be said for just straight-down-the-line pop songs with honest lyrics and stuff like that.” Mind, DMA’S have Australian influences, too, Took citing The Go-Betweens, the Brisbane jangle-popsters especially beloved by Mason and Paul Kelly.

And DMA’S have won over former Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher. “Liam came to one of our gigs. We were playing an acoustic gig in London. It was actually funny — we were meant to be on at 9.30[pm] or something, but there was a Manchester Derby [football match] being played that night. [Liam] called up the promoter and the promoter comes into our dressing room. He’s like, ‘Alright guys, you’re going on two hours early ‘cause Liam Gallagher wants to see you play, but he wants to also see the Manchester Derby kickoff,’ which is pretty funny. So then we met him there and he invited us to come and watch the Derby with him at a little pub, and that was cool.” Gallagher, Took adds, raved about “that fookin’ song Timeless” off Hills End. Nonetheless, when the ever-competitive Gallagher was asked about DMA’S by The Age lately, he said, “They’ve got some good tunes — and they’re good lads — but they’re not as good as Oasis.”

In June, DMA’S will tour nationally behind For Now. First, they have European dates (with a gig in Nottingham, England, on album release day). The band will again be joined by ancillary live musicians (and “mates”) Liam Hoskins (drums), Tom Crandles (bass) and Joel Flyger (guitar). But expect one change, says Took. “I’m playing some keys as well. So we swapped the acoustic guitar out for some keys.” Come July, they’ll return for Splendour In The Grass.

Back in 2015, DMA’S indicated to NME that they might yet base themselves in the UK. As for today? “Yeah, maybe if we made some money!” Took quips. Having travelled widely, the three now realise that they “love” Oz. “Landing in Sydney, all of a sudden you realise how loud it is with all the birds and the nature,” Took rhapsodises. “I’m thinking about more, like, moving to the Blue Mountains or something!”

For Now (I OH YOU) is out now. DMA’S tour from 1 Jun.

Check The Guide on theMusic.com.au for more details.