Dallas Green [You+Me]: No Expectations

LET’S HOP RIGHT INTO THIS BRAND NEW COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, ROSE AVE. –CONCEPTUALLY, WHAT DOES THAT TITLE REPRESENT BOTH TO AND FOR YOU?

It’s the name of the street that the studio was on. It just seemed perfect since it was all done there.

WHERE DOES THE MONIKER You+Me ORIGINALLY DERIVE FROM?

I stopped into a shop on the way to the studio and found this greeting card that said “you + me” on it.  I bought it and when I arrived at the studio and gave it to Alecia, I said, “I found our band name!” It just fits perfectly. It was our idea. We came up with the songs. We booked the studio. We produced it.

OF COURSE, FOR IT, YOU TEAMED UP WITH THE ONE AND ONLY MRS. ALECIA MOORE, GLOBALLY KNOWN AS THE SUPERSTAR PHENOM, P!NK — HOW DID THIS PARTICULAR CONNECTION EVEN COME ABOUT?

We have been friends for awhile, and had the idea of trying to sing together a long time ago. Neither of us assumed that we would make a whole record.

IN HAVING SAID THAT, WHAT EXACTLY WAS IT LIKE PUTTING TOGETHER AN ALBUM OF THIS MAGNITUDE?

It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Honestly.

HOW THEN DOES ROSE AVE. EITHER DIFFER AND/OR COMPARE SONICALLY TO PREVIOUS PROJECTS DONE BY BOTH YOURSELF, WITH YOUR BAND CITY AND COLOUR, AS WELL AS P!NK’S SOLO CATALOG?

As far as I’m concerned, it’s not that far away from what I can normally be found doing, except now there’s one of the most popular people in the world singing with me. And, Alecia always has some softer songs and duets on her records as well.

ROSE AVE. ALSO CONTAINS A GREAT SADE REMAKE, “NO ORDINARY LOVE” — WHAT PROMPTED YOU ALL TO REDO THIS CLASSIC COMPOSITION?

It’s my ‘desert island’ song! If I had to take one song with me, it’s that one. I’ve been singing it since I was 17 years old. Alecia loves Sade as well, so we thought we would try to create our own version of it.

TELL ME YOUR WHOLE INCEPTION INTO MUSIC — WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN IT? AND, HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN FOR DALLAS GREEN?

I started playing guitar at around 8 yrs old. I started singing around 13 or 14. That’s when I started trying to write my own songs. Somewhere in between that, I fell head over heels in love with it and have had a very tumultuous relationship ever since.

NOW WHERE EXACTLY DO YOU HAIL FROM? AND GROWING UP THERE, WHO ALL DID/DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR STRONGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

I’m from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Growing up, there was a real good scene. Lots of great bands would come through and play, so I was exposed to great live music at an early age. Living close to Toronto and Buffalo helped, too.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, HOW THEN WOULD YOU CLASSIFY THE SOUND AND/OR STYLE OF THE MUSIC THAT YOU CREATE AND PERFORM?

My friends and I joke that it’s called “sad guy rock,” which I think is a pretty accurate description!

SUCCESS, DEFINE YOURS? AND, OF COURSE, WHAT WILL CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN YOU IN MUSIC?

Success to me is the ability to continue doing what I do. If I can still be making records and going on tour on the arc I’ve been, then that it is fine by me.
 
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER OUTSIDE/ADDITIONAL ASPIRATIONS, MAYBE EVEN COMPLETELY AWAY FROM MUSIC?

Oldest, shortest man to ever walk onto a NBA team?

ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF MUSIC?

Loaded question. I’m happy with some of it and very unhappy with the rest…But, that’s music and personal preference.

TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER MOMENT, AT LEAST THUS FAR ANYWAY?

I’m not really sure I have a career high. I’ve had a lot of wonderful things happen in my life.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU OFFER THE MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT WE DON’T ALREADY HAVE IN OTHER PERFORMERS?

I’m not sure I offer anything that you can’t find out there already. I write songs about myself and actually sing them. I can offer you a promise of zero auto-tune — Does that work?

HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY PROBLEMS IN GETTING TO THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER?

How long do you have? That’s a question for an entire interview. Let’s just say I’ve been touring for 13 years now. Lots of highs and lots of lows.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO GET FROM YOUR MUSIC?

I’ll always say I just want people to take what they need from it.

IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY ONE ARTIST, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Bill Murray. Just to see what would happen.

IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY VENUE IN THE WORLD, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I’ve already played them! Massey Hall in Toronto, Royal Albert Hall in London and the Ryman (Auditorium) in Nashville, because they’re wonderful places to sing in.

ONE TRACK OF YOURS THAT YOU THINK DEFINES YOU AND WHY?

I think the song “Two Coins” (from City and Colour’s fourth/latest studio collection, 2013′ The Hurry And The Harm) does the job. I’ve always been dark with light somewhere in the distance.

WHEN CAN WE, THE MASSES, EXPECT A NEW CITY AND COLOUR LP?

Not too sure. Maybe late next year?

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DALLAS GREEN?

I’m going to attempt to relax for a few months, which usually means I’ll have a whole new record’s worth of songs by the end of that relaxing.

IS THERE ANYTHING I LEFT OUT OR JUST PLAIN FORGOT TO MENTION?

Nope.

ANY “PARTING” MESSAGE(S) FOR OUR READERS?

Thanks for listening if you do. If you don’t, that’s okay, too.

Twitter: @cityandcolour @youplusmeoffcl

By: Todd Davis