Artist History Dolour's Shane Tutmarc doesn't make use of trends to get his music noticed. He doesn't have to, because he has found that the quintessential truth of writing good music is that it just has to be memorable, and well played. "When we hear the music we listened to as kids, it gets a new value attached to it now that we're older. There is some innocence that you get back with the music. It takes you back to being a little kid, or the wonder of hearing that song for the first time." Shane writes the kind of songs you grew up listening to, timeless, and inventive songs, the kind you think you've heard before, and already know by heart. Remarkably enough - in a world mired with tired and trite attempts at music- Dolour's brand of pop is like a breath of fresh air that does not resort to the cliche. Not only refreshing, but prolific, Shane is working on his third full-length album since 2001. In that short amount of time, Waiting for a World War came out on Sonic Boom Records, followed by Suburbiac on Fugitive Records, as well as contributions to a several compilations, including a tribute album to Brian Wilson. The newest full-length album is in the works and is packed full of pop-gems. "I've always felt that writing pop songs is more rebellious than writing punk songs these days. To me, pop almost always seemed like the alternative to alternative. People's ears like things for a reason. Your ears are not going to lie. A good pop song will accomplish that." Flirting with contemporaries like Ben Folds, Flaming Lips and Weezer, Dolour also mines the depths of The Beatles and Brian Wilson's contributions to modern-day pop, with nods to Bernstein, Porter, and Berlin. Shane's prodigious song writing employs an "everything and the kitchen sink" approach. Aurally pleasing embellishments are woven into the fabric of his songs. At any moment one might hear mandolin, theremin, piano, woodwinds, electro-beats, strings, Beach-Boyish harmonies, driving guitar rhythms, and punctuated drums and snares. Foregoing the title of musician, he prefers to call himself a song writer. "What I'm most into is the craftsmanship of putting together each section. I want every note to count." In the tradition of songwriters like Prince and Stevie Wonder, all of the tunes are written, arranged and played almost entirely by Shane himself, as if music were his Mount Everest to conquer. With the exception of a few guest musicians, this is a one-man show. "Every instrument is a tool for song writing. I don't even feel like I've scratched the surface for being a musician. I learn instruments to make my songs better." Dolour is already a staple band in the Seattle indie-club scene frequently performing with a full live band to flesh out Shane's sonic concoctions. The dynamic live show correlates in energy with the zest that is reflected in his music. One of Shane's aspirations is to make music that is memorable and lasts longer than the shelf-life of an average Top 40 album. It certainly seems within reach. Mature, witty and catchy as hell, Dolour is a testament to the enduring power of well-written pop. by Amorphous Media Agency

Albums Waiting For A World War, Suburbiac, New Old Friends

Location Seattle, WA - USA

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