The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Doghouse Roses
Clark’s on Lindsay Street, Dundee, April 27
Glasgow-based folk duo Doghouse Roses and cult alternative rock band Television don’t really sound like they were born to be on the same bill.
So when Paul Tasker of Doghouse Roses was told they had been confirmed as support for the American icons at the ABC in Glasgow last summer he actually thought the venue management had made a mistake.
After all, Television’s punk-slanted, avant-garde jazz and 1960s rock influenced sound is a million miles away from the American-influenced folk of the Glasgow duo.
“I actually had tickets to go to the show but our publisher John Telfer, who is also their tour manager, arranged it,” Paul says.
“I got an email from the ABC saying we were confirmed to play the show. I actually emailed them back to say I think you’ve got the wrong band.”
The gig brought the duo back to the stage after a two-year gap and, before long, trips to the scattered cities and faded bars that permeate their songwriting resulted in a wealth of mutual material and a new found energy.
“There wasn’t any problem before that,” Paul says. “We just ran out of steam. We had a lot of new songs kicking around but we just didn’t have the energy to do anything with them at that time.”
Their music is very much a contemporary take on the traditional themes and landscapes of the 60s folk revival era.
On their third studio album – their first release in six years – these themes spread through the songs themselves. “I love writing songs,” says Paul. “I’ve got a lot of stuff kicking around and we’re already talking about the next album.”
They are now touring to promote the new record Lost is not Losing, which brings them to Clark’s on Thursday.
“It’s only our second gig in Dundee. Actually the last one was Newport for the Dundee Acoustic Music Club and it was great, it’s a lovely setting,” Paul says.
“I know a lot of people who have played at Clark’s and I’ve heard lots of good things about it.”
Co-headliner is Philadelphian Joseph Parsons, a prolific songwriter, recording artist and performer with more than 20 commercial label releases.
He brings a heart and soul to his songs through energy and emotional honesty, ranging from stories of people caught in hard times to uplifting songs of love and life.
His new double EP The Field The Forest is out now.