By DJ Tom
New Music Fridays at nOOn
Dehd had me on first listen. I added “Menace” and “Heaven” from 2017ʼs “Fire of Love” EP into rotation months ago. I then discovered their 2016 debut self-titled album, and added “Thousand Times,” “Enough Fire” and “Love Song.” “Lucky” last spring.
On May 13, as their new album “Water” was released on FIRETALK Records, Detroit was lucky enough to get OPENING NIGHT of the tour at UFO Factory!!! A tour that takes them all around the U.S. through the summer to England and Europe with Twin Peaks in the fall.
Dehd is Jason Balla on guitar and vocals, Emily Kempf on bass and vocals and Eric McGrady on drums. Drums that consist of one snare and one tom. Minimalism at its BEST. Jason comes from a long line of Chicago bands including Accessory, Earring” and the recently disbanded Ne-Hi. Emilyʼs other projects are many and include Lala Lala and her solo project Vail.
LIVE, the balance of the sound in the UFO Factory was quite lovely. This combination of musicians and instruments, exemplifies that less is more. Emilyʼs vocal work in some songs has a very appealing ’60ʼs girl-group sound. Jason and Emilyʼs voices compliment each other very well.
Jason is one of the most unique guitar players to watch and listen to. Emilyʼs bass lines run alongside Jasonʼs melodies during the title track “Water,” “Wait,” and “Baby.” Live these songs have the room dancing.
“On My Side” is a total MASTERPIECE. Some of Jasonʼs most BEAUTIFUL heart-wrenching guitar playing, shimmering riffs that emote Emilyʼs sorrow in the lyric and vocals, very warm like the sunset in the video. An addicting TEAR-JERKER. Here is a great example of how Ericʼs drum setup pays off for the guitarists and the overall sound of the band. Eric plays a strong, supportive, consistent beat. With only two drums, the subtlety magnifies the guitars and voices without blasting volume.
On “Lake,” Emily’s vocals are much softer, comforting and hopeful.
Dehd is definitely a band to keep an eye on. “Water” is a GREAT summer album. It is one I play over and over. Dehd has a fresh, eclectic, new and vintage sound that SHINES in your ears and would sound perfect on the AM radio of our old ʼ62 Ford Galaxie 500 with the windows down on the way to the beach.
Editor’s note: Find clips from this concert on DJ Tom’s social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram.
Learn more about Dehd:
Official website
Bandcamp page
Pitchfork album review
Vice article
