Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
At the end of last summer, Cleveland alternative rock duo Dogs Run Free released their second EP Normal that showcased the band’s aptitude for writing eclectic songs. Citing influences like Hole and Now, Now, the four track EP left listeners guessing at every turn while the band’s impulsive nature still managed to retain some cohesion as they followed their instincts for each song. From the laidback acoustic driven “TOO WOW” to the dance-punk stylings of “MUSIC” and “XXX,” Dogs Run Free have been revivifying what it means to make expressive alternative music that can’t be confined by any one genre or an algorithm.
Today the duo, Austyn Benyak and Zac Breitback, are back with their new 2 Song Promo EP featuring a new protopunk tinged song “IYKTIK” and a Wicca Phase Springs Eternal cover that might just rival the original.
Check out the 2 Song Promo EP along with a brief Q&A with the band below:
Going from the last band you guys were in together (Honeymoon) to this band now, what would you say inspires the creative direction for Dogs Run Free?
With our previous band it felt like we took that sound as far as it could go without it feeling creatively bankrupt. For Dogs Run Free, we wanted to do something that sounded different and wasn’t as constrained. Tears For Fears was a big inspiration for the switch. More or less we just wanted to level up the songwriting aspect and let ourselves flow creatively.
Each song you guys have released sounds different from the last, and the new single continues in that fashion. What was the thought process behind writing “IKYKTIK” for the new EP?
We thought it sounded like a Stooges riff and we just followed in that direction. We wanted the break solo part to sound like a screwed up White Stripes part. Lyrically it’s kind of a sister song to “REAL” on the Normal EP!
What made you guys want to cover “Farm” from Wicca Phase Springs Eternal?
Honestly we thought it’d be a far out and weird choice for a cover song, at least for us. It is a cool song though, and I think we did it justice. Beyond the song, we respect his (Adam McIlwee) path as an artist.
What else do you guys have planned for the year?
More shows, more writing, more releases, figuring out how to blow up.
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Loan Pham | @x_loanp
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