Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs
Brian Bonz is a cool dude. He’s come to Minneapolis every so often on various tours (he tours with some really fantastic bands, now that I think of it) and he puts on a great performance every time. He played the 7th Street entry with PersonL in November, and I got a chance to chat with him briefly. Brian is instantly friendly and sincere, cracking jokes just as he does on stage. And I think that’s what I like about Brian. What you see is what you get. And it just so happens that what you get is an extremely talented songwriter, musician, and a positive member of our music scene. His record, “From Sumi To Japan” was on my Top 10 list of ’09 and it was the first vinyl I ever owned. He generously agreed to an e-mail interview, and here are the results (full interview after the break):
“My favorite part building friendships in new cities, meeting awesome folks at the clubs, and being on a tour where everyone is easy to get a long with. I’ve made some new friends I plan to hang out with or cook dinner for the rest of my life – That’s priceless.” – Brian Bonz
Plus Cat Music: Tell us about “From Sumi to Japan.” (Who produced/engineered? How long did it take to write/record, etc)
Brian Bonz: I started writing “From Sumi to Japan” when I was about 20 years old over time while I began touring in other bands, and just kept on collecting songs. It took me about a year to record with everyones schedules, and I enjoyed to make a record that way since it offers time to fix or make a part stronger. Chris Bracco who works with Kevin Devine and other groups mixed/tracked some of our demo songs, and killed it. I knew he was going to make a great album for us with his skills.
PC: How much influence did The Dot Hongs have in your songwriting on the album?
BB: I wrote with my Brother a majority of the skeleton of each song with midi keyboards, acoustic guitars, and electric in my parents living room. I brought these tunes to the Dot Hongs finished or unfinished – they really heard the same idea’s we we’re looking to achieve, and they helped me get there to shape up a tune before it’s grows into it’s own by the producer.
PC: How have the relationships that you have formed throughout touring helped advance Brian Bonz and the Dot Hongs?
BB: I have a chance to go out with the Dot Hongs or Solo with some great bands. My favorite part building friendships in new cities, meeting awesome folks at the clubs, and being on a tour where everyone is easy to get a long with. I’ve made some new friends I plan to hang out with or cook dinner for the rest of my life – That’s priceless.
PC: Tell us about the show at Nassau Colosseum. How did that come about?
BB: Brand New put together a second stage, and reached out to me about performing on it. I got a chance to play twice with Kevin, and myself. Those guys have always looked out for me and are a set of friends I grew close to quickly. I remember meeting Jesse for the first time, and a couple of months later he asked me to go open for him and kevin throughout the West Coast. It’s rare when someone you barely know opens you up to a 800+ fans a night on your first real tour, and have it be a easy traveling tour. The Nassau show was by far the best show I ever played in my life, and the biggest show. I will remember that day hands down!
PC: What are your plans for 2010? New record? Any tour plans?
BB: I will be begin to finish the writing process for the second record, and we plan to release a new album by Spring of 2010. I think we’re gonna give touring a break until Spring – but we plan to do the Northeast a lot.
Thanks again to Brian for answering some questions. Check out the links below to hear some of his tunes.
Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs are presented by Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.
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