Nana’s Sunday Jams: Walrus - D.D Dumbo

Published on 2020-07-26 00:00:00 by Nana Fani-Kayode

*Banner art by *Trav
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Yes, yes, yes, Sunday Jammers! Warmest of greetings and sun salutations.

So, I am made! Finally, I am officially your Sunday musical tour guide, crowned by the Patron this week, so celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! Hope you are enjoying the jams, and the wishing part of me hopes you are Sunday dancing and at least one track has made a permanent mark on a playlist.

A Nod to Musical Friendships

Last week I mentioned a list of labels that should be featuring in your musical armory, which is brewing nicely. But I hope you will forgive me if I pause on this and celebrate my newfound status with a hand-me-down from a friend and musician that I hope to feature very soon.

After talking about musical inspirations and how musical perspectives are formed, it’s hard not to think about the pals I look to for fresh eyes, unknown gems, or last-minute gigs. These are friendships based on shared passions, whether they be art, culture, politics, etc. They often keep the flames burning, reignite sparks, remind you that it’s always fine to go out on a limb, and everyone else can bog off. If you are really lucky, they will turn up a track really loud, move all the furniture out of the way so you can dance it all out freely, without fear of falling whilst you get taken far, far away. They do not insist you come back down to earth, and they match your laughter howl for howl. I am lucky to have a few of those jokers in my deck—some I get to see more often, and some I am wedded to through memory. All I am thankful for.

D.D Dumbo: A Journey Through Looping, Bluesy Pop

So, in that spirit, the track is ‘Walrus’, and the artist is D.D Dumbo. This track is taken off his 2013 debut Tropical Oceans, released in 2013, then released in 2014 by 4AD. It’s a journey through looping, bluesy pop, and it is fantastic. D.D Dumbo is the moniker of Oliver Hugh Perry, and I love how he has created his own language to reinterpret the blues and married it lovingly with electronica. The track has its own narrative, unfolding from the start with a blues-inspired riff, gathering momentum as it’s given flight by electronic wings and a definitive bassline. It’s lo-fi but full of energy, purpose, and bounce. Perry’s vocals echo throughout, giving way to something uplifting, stirring, and downright sexy.

The whole EP is a bright treasure full of varying introspection, whether that be lyrically, musically, or vocally—worth spending some time with. And if you feel alive in its water, check out some of his more recent stuff. Lovelies.

Written by Nana Fani-Kayode