When I read a while back in RS that Robbie Robertson was using an up-and-coming L.A. band called Dawes as his backing for future live performances, I knew I had to check them out. Their debut, North Hills, came out in 2009 and their latest, Nothing Is Wrong (released this week), is everything I've come to expect from listening to Americana, though it's apparent they're still in the process of 'finding' themselves. The former is surprisingly mellow, with very toned-down instrumentation juxtaposed with rich vocal harmonies. Personally, Dawes is a nice discovery and they really got something good going. It's that kind of sound I'm always going after; that 'Laurel Canyon' laid-back kind of music, reminiscent of Gram Parsons, Buffalo Springfield and early Jackson Browne. Dawes is continuing from where bands like Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Byrds left off, and of course not to mention The Band. They're following the tradition of 70s Californian folk rock, churning out something that they can call their own.CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE...
