NewDad‘s Julie Dawson has spoken to NME about her debut solo album ‘Bottom Of The Pool’, as well as what’s next for the band and what it meant to get the stamp of approval from The Cure‘s Robert Smith.
The singer from the Galway band is nearing the end of a huge year, having released NewDad’s acclaimed debut ‘Madra‘ back in January – tipped as one of the best albums of the year so far – and completing a huge run of touring including a stop at Glastonbury 2024.
“It’s been really fun,” said Dawson. “We got to go to a lot of new places we’ve never been. Although I’m tired, it was a really great summer.”
The band also found success in Asia, where Chinese fans made their album artwork go viral by creating and sharing their own versions. “That was mad!” said Dawson of the phenomenon. “It’s funny that the album is getting more traction now than when it came out.”
While the band’s star may still be on the rise, Dawson took the time in between albums to create her debut solo record ‘Bottom Of The Pool’. It sees her team up with electronic producer Jack Hamill (aka, Space Dimension Controller).
Check out our full interview with Dawson below, where she told us about being inspired by BoJack Horseman, and progress on the band’s “pop-leaning” next album.
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NME: Hello Julie. The last time we saw you was when NewDad played an epic gig at KOKO in London.
Julie Dawson: “That was great. When I heard there was going to be stage design and puppets, I was freaking out.”
You played an awesome cover of The Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’. Have you had any feedback from Robert Smith?
“He did retweet it and that was a very exciting day for us. I heard about the new album [‘Songs Of A Lost World‘]. That’s very exciting, and I can’t wait.”
If they tour, maybe you can back a support slot?
“That would be the last thing on the list [for us to tick off]! The reason we really started taking the band seriously and decided to go for it was because we saw Just Mustard opening for The Cure. We thought, ‘Oh, these kids from Dundalk [Ireland] are supporting The Cure – maybe these kids from Galway could?’”
On to your solo album. How did you separate writing these songs with those for NewDad?
“When I started doing it, it was just a fun outlet to try writing in a different way. Even the last track [‘Finale’] is a spoken word thing. I don’t write poetry and just wanted to try it for the first time. It was all about trying to push outside of what I normally do.
“I didn’t restrict myself as much and just had fun with it. When we realised it was a full album, it just kind of happened. We just decided to put it out there.”
Lyrically, were you mining something different on your solo work?
“On this record, I was taking inspiration from film and TV. ‘Bottom Of The Pool’ was initially inspired by BoJack Horseman! I wanted to try tell stories that weren’t my own and see I how I related to them. Before, in Newdad, I would feel weird if I was writing about someone else, like ‘This isn’t my story’. But with this, it was an escape from NewDad and that way of writing. I was a lot freer with it.”
“The songs and structures challenged me. Now, I want to write more interesting songs. I feel like I don’t just to do ‘verse-chorus-verse-chorus’.”
NewDad were very vocal in the boycott of SXSW over their sponsorship from the American military. Since then, have politics crept into your work?
“Not too often, to be honest. I tend to gravitate towards feelings and less tangible things. I never feel like I’m trying to make a point; it’s more about unloading. It’s just a way to ease my mind.”
Was it encouraging to see artist power win over all?
“I really didn’t think that would be the outcome, but when I saw that they ended the sponsorship, it was amazing. People are fighting a fight and it usually goes unseen. I hope other festivals reconsider their sponsorship and that a lot more people become more conscious.”
Do you plan to play some solo live shows?
“There have been discussions. It’s so busy right now, but it would be really fun to do three random shows in Dublin, London and… Leipzig, or something! The live show would probably be a lot dreamier and more ethereal. I’d probably just sing and move freely, which would be fun for me. I’d be keen to do it, but I just need time to get in the studio and figure it out.”
How is NewDad’s second album coming along?
“We were in the studio a few weeks ago and the music is sounding really great. I’ve been writing with Justin Parker [producer and songwriter – Lana Del Rey, Rihanna, Banks], who I worked with on a few songs on my album, and he has taught me a lot. I’ve pushed myself further vocally, so I’m keen to get back in the studio and finish it up.”
What does the new material sound like?
“I would say it’s definitely more pop-leaning, but still with all those heavy guitar and bass sounds. There’s a lot more synth sounds going on too. There’s a lot more going on, but still with that classic NewDad sound.”
Will the album be out next year, or is that overly optimistic?
“That is optimistic, but I’m going to say, ‘Yes!’ I like the optimism and would like that to be the reality. There will definitely be new music at the start of next year.”
‘Bottom Of The Pool’ by Julie Dawson is out now.