Its hard to be consistent these days

It must be really hard being a band.

You make a record.  It gets good review.  It does well.  People catch on.  You tour.  People come. You sell merch.  Make some money.  Tour Ends.  Take time off.  Record. Repeat.

I'm sure there is a lot of bullshit entwined in that mess but for the most part its consistent.

Its all fun and games the first time around but the real challenge comes when you try to do it again.  This time there is a standard.

You make a record.  You try something new.  It has a different sound.  It gets mixed reviews.  You get new fans.  You lose some fans.  You tour.  People somewhat come.  You sell less merch.  Make less money.  Tour ends.  Take time off.  Record label doesn't want you anymore.  Your back to working at Starbucks.

Point is that it's hard to please everybody.  You make a great record.  That establishes your sound.  If you try and do something different, 9/10 times you'll get ridiculed for it.  You do something similar, 9/10 you'll get ridiculed.

There are, of course, the exceptions.

Martin Dosh is one of them.

His new record, Wolves & Wishes(pictured below), is great, not amazing, but great.

He's a fellow Minnesotan and has been making music since 2000 with his drum kit, Rhodes piano, and his trusty Akai E2 Headrush pedal.

Like many before him and I'm sure many after, his first record laid the groundwork for his sound.  Four records later Dosh still sounds like Dosh..........but doesn't at the same time, and that's the great part.  His music has slowly evolved into what it is today.  Each album his built upon the last, adding subtle elements (be it a new piece of equipment or a few guests etc) to get a fuller sound.  Its also possible to say that his albums now have themes, almost concept like for christ sake.  Regardless, Dosh's musical progression should be the model for bands who want longevity in business that is extremely fickle.

For those who might not know who Dosh is, check this vid out to get an idea.

SIDE NOTE: Rock the Bells line just got announced: ATCQ, De La Soul, Mos Def, Nas, 3/5 of Wu Tang, Pharcyde, Spank Rock........I think live hip hop is extremely hit or miss, its either really fucking good or super fucking bad.....this, in theory, should be amazing.