Review Fix chats with Victoria Scott & Alfonso Rodenas of the Blue Dolphins, who break down their new album “Come On!†Discussing their creative process, as well as what makes the album unique, Scott and Rodenas give us an inside look at what makes the “sun-soaked†album a special one.
Review Fix: How did the band get together?
Victoria Scott: We met at The Cat Club on Sunset in Los Angeles- both being songwriters it was natural for us to write songs together as we got to know each other. Alfonso recorded a collection of songs for me, we enjoyed working together so much we formed the band, ‘The Blue Dolphins’.
Review Fix: What acts inspire you guys?
Alfonso Rodenas: We have a lot of musical influences between us spanning Led Zeplin, The Doors, Astrud Gilberto, nineties Acid Jazz all the way up to Jason Mraz. The artists that inspire us are those that dare to reveal themselves in a totally honest, authentic and heartfelt way.
Review Fix: What songs do you love but are ashamed to admit because no one would expect it?
Scott: Lionel Richie, ‘Hello.’ I was in love with Lionel when I was a pre-teen, he was my man. I don’t think people would expect me to like ‘The Doors’ as much as I do either. Alfonso has only ever listened to really cool music like The Incredible String Band, Daniel Lanois and Captain Beefheart.
Review Fix: What do you think makes you special?
Rodenas: We are pretty naked, we try not to hide behind layers and we write and play from the heart. We are fun, sincere and at times edgy. I think that’s cool. We are a Spanish man and we are an English Woman and that’s a pretty unique flavor in itself.
Review Fix: What song is the standout on this track, how was it written?
Scott: There are a few but ‘Wide & Blue Horizons’ is definitely one. Alfonso came up with the guitar riff and we jammed with it a bit till he wrote the track. He had the chorus lyric hook ‘Wide Skies and Blue Horizons and then I came in with more lyric. Which I wrote on my digital recorder, driving to work every day with a view of the Los Angeles Crest in the distance.
Review Fix: What song do you think people may skip on originally, before it grows on
them, why?
Rodenas: Sail Away is an interesting one- because it’s both Soul Ballad and Punk Pop, so it might take a bit of ….’What?’ and then ‘Oh now I get it’. It’s sort of the two sides of us, tender and rebellious.
Review Fix: How do you want this album to affect people?
Scott: We would like to touch listeners simply with the feelings of the songs, Life can be tough and it asks you to compromise a lot, we d like this album to inspire listeners to, as Joseph Campbell said, ‘Follow your Bliss’!
Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone pick up this record?
Rodenas: It has 14 really excellent songs on it- there is not one filler. Plus it’s the sort of album that you listen to on a bad day and it’ll lift you up and get you back on track. The songs lift us up on a bad day.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Scott: Another album, we’ve started writing already, concerts both acoustic and plugged in. TV, & Radio. We’re moving house right now, which is a bit of an undertaking. This is a hero’s journey we’re on every day you know. The trick is knowing that, and trying to be awake for all of the experiences.
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