about damma damma

Introducing Low Buildings, the debut album from Damma Damma set for release on May 8, on Silver Arrow Records.  

First and foremost, this music makes you move.  Whether the masterful interaction between the band holds your attention or the relentless grooves get you going, there is something for everybody.  That was the vision of band leader Adam Weaver when he formed Damma Damma.  As a drummer, he wanted every song to be seen through the lense of rhythm and percussion.  Somewhere near the intersection of psychedelic jazz, early hip hop and 60s and 70s soundtracks, Damma Damma found their sound.  

With members hailing from Philadelphia, Louisiana, and Northern California, their musical influences are as varied as the places they were raised.   Brought up on the evolving landscape of rock, R&B, soul and punk, they managed to blend instruments of jazz like vibraphone, flute, saxophone and piano with the rock blueprint of bass, drums and guitar.  These influences educated their unique variety of rock music with a cinematic feel that is both archival and fresh. 

Working regularly as part of the LA scene to hone their sound, the band crafted a vibe that felt spontaneous but with a tight, melodic groove.   All 8 members are mutli-faceted musicians and contribute in different ways on every song:  from harmonic vocals to baritone sax; shekere to 70's synth; egg shaker to guiro.  From talking drum to guitar feedback to vibraslap.   The band put together this 9 track album that, at its core, draws heavily on the atmosphere of vintage 60s and 70s screen soundtracks, but speaks in a modern voice.    

The first single, Angry Blankets brings melody and groove that gets you off your feet right from the jump.  Think spaghetti western meets hip hop.

Miquon, the 2nd single, feels like a deeply personal, soulful declaration.  This song draws you in with a spiritual mantra.  A thank you to the psychedelic eye of a child. 

Squareback sweeps you into the fast-moving spy chase games that Adam and his brothers used to play in the back of the family VW Squareback cruising down the road.  Mission Impossible, Get Smart, or The Saint on any given day.  

When the album ends, you're left wanting more.  And with each listen, something new may be discovered in the layers that create the sound of Damma Damma.  

Damma Damma is a musical collective of cinematic soundscapes rooted in psychedelic jazz-inspired rock music.  

Based in California with members hailing from Pennsylvania, Lousiana and Northern California,   their musical influences are as varied as the places they were raised.    Their influences educate their unique variety of rock music with a cinematic feel that is retro and modern at the same time.   Raised on the evolving landscape of rock, R&B, soul and punk rock, they manage to blend instruments of jazz such as vibraphone, flute, saxophone and piano together with the rock blueprint of drums, bass, guitar and keys that recall elements of late 60's and early 70's musical adventures that explored mixing genres freely.  

Born out of rhythm and percussion, drummer Adam Weaver enlisted the help of Robin Livingston on keyboards, production and engineering (el Radio Fantastique, Mykal Rose, Mickey Hart) and Jacob Landry on guitar (Caravan 222, Lee Gallagher) to bring the music of Damma Damma to life.  The core group was rounded out with Camilla Saufley on bass (Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, Golden Void), Patrick Byers on flute and saxophone, (Monophonics, Phil Lesh & Friends, Ernest Ranglin), Darren Nelson on rhythm guitar (San Geronimo), Shen Hunt on congas and percussion (Zansa, Zach Deputy Band), and Jordan L. Blumling on 2nd percussion (Flash Hits, Gondola, Sapphire Slugs).  This band delivers dynamic, energized live music.