Dahl Haus

Brooklyn indie band Dahl Haus will release their second single, “Helium,” on Saturday, February 24th, to coincide with the premiere of David Leigh Abts’ indie documentary, “Bodega?” The song became a last minute placement in the film when Abts caught the nugaze/dream pop band playing at Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn just weeks before the film’s release date.

The film explores the waning of bodega culture in the face of gentrification and juxtaposes its interviews with bodega workers and newbie residents with music from upcoming Brooklyn indie bands. What’s the connection? The filmmaker explains: “You may wonder why such a selection and what do these bands have in common with Brooklyn Bodegas? This is a small strand of sounds of what the transplants/hipsters population would be listening to in their Beats by Dre headphones as they make their morning coffee and bagel stop before jumping on the train for work. For better or worse, totally missing what the shopkeepers are listening to.” (“Bodega?” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ6Rwfvzfw0&t=11s)

The “Bodega?” premiere will be held at the iconic Brooklyn metal bar, Saint Vitus at 7 PM this Saturday, and will feature a live performance by Jacuzzi Boys and a “Very Special Act from the Northwest,” along with musical guests Rat Schabies (The Damned), Chris Constantinou (Adam Ant), David Mudie (LA Mood/Courtney Barnett), Bob Harrow (Immigrant Union), Kalen Lister (Death By Piano), Brian Buta (Steady State) and Cory Wade (former co-host of America’s Next Top Model). The trailer for the film features “The Dandy Warhols TV Theme Song” and the Northwest alt rock band’s frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor (who also wrote the forward to Abts’ book, “Mother’s Day at the Orphanage”) makes a brief on-camera appearance. (Ticket link: https://www.saintvitusbar.com/event/1643269-bodega-indie-documentary-brooklyn/)

Dahl Haus’ first single, “First Mistake (The Mind F*uck Song)” was dropped with little fanfare back in September when founding band member and songwriter Blaise Dahl had a family crisis that sidelined the project for four months. The song is currently available as a free download when you join Dahl Haus’ email list on their website: dahlhausmusic.com

“Helium” will be available on Bandcamp: dahlhaus.bandcamp.com -

What’s confirmed, though, is that Blaise’s voice is special: sultry, strong, used to croon lyrics that feel matured past her 22 years. It’s the glaze over the sometimes wavering/sometimes crunchy guitar, the bass with a heartbeat, and the drum machine that was not available for comment in this interview. Sure, you can hear certain influences: Garbage, PJ Harvey, Hole—and that’s her jamming with Court’s bassist Jennie Vee in this “Lips Like Sugar” cover—but most of all you hear Blaise Dahl. - AudioFemme

spacey art-pop songs as written by a wicked pen, sung by leather lungs, and played by beasts. What's not to love? - Jesse Krakow, WFMU Radio

Bowie, Nirvana, Garbage and Jefferson Airplane influences and I loved it with all my heart. - Brendan Brown, Wheatus frontman

Presenting a glamorous visual imagery, the duo rocks hard with a programmed-beats and guitar-centric sound, enhancing Blaise's stentorian vocals. - DaveCromwellWrites

Playing their first live show in 2017, an eager audience witnessed a dazzling display of sound and imagery. Songs like the fuzzy bass and guitar thrill ride of “Scream Machine” simmer with an underlying tension as Blaise provides an intimate vocal look inside love’s amusement park. The driving chugger “Seasick” hits all the marks for rock and roll diva swagger. A slithering bass-line and heavy distortion guitar lays the groundwork for a series of catchy vocal hooks.
While the inventive lyrical wordplay of dream popper “Helium” compares romantic attraction to the second most abundant element in the observable universe. - DaveCromwellWrites

Blaise exhibits a powerful, resonant voice that soars over her lyrically intelligent, well-crafted songs. Lead guitarist Daniel Kasshu adds texture to Blaise Dahl's songwriting, and her ... creative vision. These two musicians ... appear to be made for each other, as their love for a particular guitar-based wall-of-gaze sound and stylistic imagery sync up perfectly. - DaveCromwellWrites

Blaise Dahl is a singer, songwriter and producer from New York City who has just revealed a cover of the time-altering and indelible “Special”... She got an “A” for this one... - The Autumn Roses