I could see how excited Almost Monday was as I chatted with the trio ahead of their set. The performance itself was phenomenal – one of the most animated sets of the weekend. Lead singer Dawson Daugherty sauntered around the stage, interacting with as many crowd members as he could. Guitarist Cole Clisby and bassist Luke Fabry kept up the excitement as they added color to each song with their respective instruments.
Learn more about the San Diego-based indie band and why you should check them out the next time they’re in your area.
Congrats, by the way, on releasing your debut album. How gratifying was it to finally have it out in the world?
Dawson
It feels cool to release an album that is more than a few tracks. We did a lot of singles leading up, but it’s cool and it feels like we’re a real band. Feels good, very good.
How long did it take to make?
Dawson
We intensely wrote for a few months. “Sunburn” is the oldest song. We made that in 2022, so I guess technically, it started then. I’m a technical guy.
You referenced this concept, “the magic in the room,” in one of your interviews, basically saying the best songs that you’ve written in the last few years were created in 10 minutes. What do you do when that magic doesn’t occur?
Luke
Go home. We just sit for 10 minutes and bail. [Laughing]
Dawson
I’ve noticed that “magic” or another correlation on our last round of songs. When you’re not thinking and you’re existing and being. You’re singing out a melody and are like, man, is this cool? Is this right? Sometimes, not thinking is good. And sometimes, that 10-minute thing is just when you’re in the flow state – being guided by the song. And just being okay if it doesn’t come just right, come back tomorrow. Don’t stress out about it.
Your song “Can’t Slow Down” scored a number one spot on alternative radio. Congrats on that as well.
Dawson
That was cool because being in a band can be gnarly. Going to Thanksgiving and your family asking, “Are you still in a band? You should graduate and get a real job.” But, little things like that, you’re like, “Man, I’m in a band. We got something.” There’s a trophy coming. So it’s cool for those reasons; we are supposed to be doing this.
It’s also cool that you’ve done stadium shows with AJR and toured with the Driver Era. How has it been these last five years or so, just accomplishing as much as you had in that short timeframe?
Dawson
It’s been a busy year, for sure. We’re just looking back at our last year from April of 2024, and I think we played around 150 shows, traveling a lot, and then we weren’t playing shows. We were in the studio, finishing our album, making music videos. So it was a really busy year, and we’re shaping up for other lot more touring, a lot of studio time.
This Thanksgiving’s going to be a fun one! How are you feeling about today’s set?
Dawson
I’m thrilled. This is our first slot we’ve played later in the day. I’m excited about the sunset vibe, personally. We’ve played festivals, but at noon to two o’clock.
I think the crowd’s ready for you. Before I came up here, there was a mosh pit. Which song are you excited to perform live today?
Cole
I think I’ll go with “She Likes Sports.”
Dawson
I’m gonna deviate. “Sequoia.” We played it at soundcheck. It just felt right.
Almost Monday
