Iska Dhaaf Have Quite the Story to Tell

Chicago – The story goes like this: Nathan Quiroga and Benjamin Verdoes were both looking for something more. More than what their bands – Mad Rads and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Bands – could provide. More depth. More growth. More of a challenge. So these Seattle musicians challenged each other and collaborated for three long years. They left their other projects behind and formed Iska Dhaaf. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what’s up with that name, right? Well, let me tell you. Benjamin took it upon himself to learn Somali when he was teaching English to a bunch of Somali kids. Hence their band name (and band mantra) came from the Somali saying “iska dhaaf” or “let it go.” However, Somali did more than inspire their name. The language, Sufi poetry, the history of the Somali people, politics, war, and the stories of Benjamin’s students inspired their brilliant writing and personal reflection, creating an album that is filled with short story songs. With Quiroga on guitar and lead vocals and Verdoes on drums and keys, the perceptive lyrics of Iska Dhaaf come to life with a mix of psychedelic pop, folk, punk, and indie rock.

“All the Kids” starts the twelve-track album off with a decent beat, and then the lyrics hit you. Nathan sings, “All the kids I kicked it with were drunk,” as he sadly quips about drug and booze fueled youth over this pop song. “Everybody Knows” breaks in next with hints of punk and a slight ode to The Violent Femmes. Benjamin’s drumming is heavy, calling at you to move to the beat, and eventually wildly explodes at the end, with Nathan’s guitar following suit. This is definitely one the defining tracks on Even the Sun Will Burn. “Two Ones” pulls you back to simpler days with its dreamy melodies, like those nights spent at college parties, drinking with the art school and theater kids, conversing about things that seemed ever so important and groundbreaking at the time.

“Dependency” slows things down as Nathan sings, “Use me like a needle. Use me like a lie. Use me like a bible.” His bone chilling vocals and melancholy lyrics take center stage on this track. “Same Indifference” keeps the pace and adds some beautiful strings to slightly brighten the mood. It adds a little wit, too. Nathan sings, “Nothing’s changed, not even my laundry.” This track – and a few others later in the album – echoes Death Cab for Cutie and early Modest Mouse. “Sullen Eyes” steps in to pick the beat back up; the lyrics remain a little dark and the organ creates an eerie ambience that lingers long after the song has finished, floating into the following track ironically called “Happiness.” One listen and you’ll feel anything but happy as the melancholy words and chords overcome you. Although, every so often Verdoes’ drumming in “Happiness” will manage to fill you with pings of cheer.

For the most part, the album keeps a leisured pace once you reach the halfway point, and it is often reminiscent of The Flaming Lips, although not quite as experimental. The songs fold into each other and eventually end on “Even the Sun.” The first half of this song is gentle and folksy. Quiroga’s calming vocals are just superb, and his guitar work is beautiful. Verdoes steps in for the second half, picking up the pace with his stellar drumming, as well as two horns, which add wonderful texture.

There is some fine musicianship here, but the clever and poetic lyrics are what impressed me most about this album and ultimately won me over. Though I have to admit, it took me a few listens to appreciate Even the Sun Will Burn, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. I hope you’ll give it a chance, too.

Even the Sun Will Burn is out now. You can hit up iTunes for a digital copy. Iska Dhaaf will be touring in June. Check out their facebook for more info.

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Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.

You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.