DIVERSIONS|music
From the Ukulele to ’60s Pop COURTESY DENT MAY
by Briana Robinson
Jackson native Dent May releases his sophomore album, “Do Things,” June 12.
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ompletely recorded in his home in Oxford and in a cabin in Taylor, Miss., Dent May’s “Do Things” is something of a fresh start. For his first album, “The Good Feeling of Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele,” which came out in February 2009, May only had about two weeks to record and felt like some ideas got lost in the shuffle. This time, May took up to a year. One reason for the change is that while touring and playing the first batch of songs, May felt like he quickly got burnt out. This
time, he wanted the songs to actually mean something to him. “I just wanted to take my time and do everything myself (this time),” May says. “It was a big learning experience.” That’s not the only difference between May’s first and sophomore albums. He also wanted “Do Things,” which hits shelves June 12, to be more honest and clear. “The first album is more playful and storytellingbased, and the new album is more meditative and mantra-based with simpler and more direct, personal lyrics,” he says. The first song of “Do Things,” entitled “Rent Money,” opens with, “When you were young, what did you fantasize your life would bring? … You’ve got to stand up and do your thing.” It sets the tone of the entire album with happy vocals and danceinducing beats. “Don’t wanna be chasing that rent money for the rest of my life,” May croons. “It’s about getting off your ass and working to put yourself into something,” May says about the entire album, hence the name “Do Things.” He also thinks that the album “sort of has an inspirational or healing message.” Animal Collective’s record label, Paw Tracks, released both of May’s albums, and
allowed him complete freedom over the production of his work. “That’s important to me, as someone recording my own music in a house in Mississippi,” May says. Some fans might be surprised at the lack of May’s ukulele on “Do Things.” Instead, May uses basses and guitars with drum machines and synthesizers. “The idea was that anything I had lying around the house was fair game to use on this new record,” he says. May did not want to continue to hide behind the ukulele image—he meant it more as a writing tool than as a trademark. “I didn’t want to be ‘the ukulele guy’ for my whole life—I always knew that. I want every album idea to be different,” he says. “I want to show people that I can do anything.” Between albums, however, May went through a period of writer’s block, which is what the title track is about. “I didn’t know if I still knew how to write a song,” he says. The song has a slow-dance ’60s feel to it. Instead of being overly melancholic about the situation, May finds hope in his friends and his music. “Do things your own way,” he sings toward the end of the song. Many different types of music influence May’s work—retro pop is an evident one. May also says he grew up listening
to southern rap such as Three 6 Mafia and 504 boys, and country such as Hank Williams. His favorite R&B singers are R. Kelly and Aaliyah. “I just want to combine it all and take influences from everything––from rap to country to disco and punk rock,” he says. The first single from the album, “Best Friend,” opens with drum machines and synthy sounds and moves toward an oldschool bass groove. “You and me—it’s never gonna end, ’cause you’re my best friend,” May sings. It can be about a platonic best friend or about a lover, May says. Toward the end, he sings, “There is a sun, and it’s shining down. You are the one that I walk around. Let’s have some fun while we’re here in this world.” May, a Jackson native, and drummer Alex Warren shot and produced the song’s music video in Jackson. “The ultimate goal is to have a sound that is me, and that when people hear it, they know it’s me, even if they haven’t heard the song (before),” May says. “I want to write songs that stand the test of time.” May is on tour this summer with Warren, bassist Cole Furlough of Dead Gaze and keyboardist Thomas Cooper. Dent May’s “Do Things” comes out June 12 and is available online at insound.com.
The Key of G A Little Love Note to the City of Jackson
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make that comparison because I could do lery. The first one went down last December without flash-mobs, but that is an entirely at Andy Hilton’s studio in Midtown. Based different column altogether). It is, in the par- on the success of the first installment, they lance of our times, decided to give it an occupation. another go this This pop-up month downtown. gallery for Jackson There is one artists is the braincatch, though, child of local graphwith “Priced to ic designer and artist Move”––all artIan Hanson and work in the poplocal artist and muup must be priced sician Cody Cox. at or under $100. “We agreed that it This gives people is easy to support who might not your friends who are normally have the in bands,” Ian says. cheddar to buy lo“You pay your $5 cal art the opporLast year’s Priced to Move event gave and the band gets tunity to support Jacksonians the chance to take home paid and that’s that. local creativity. original art for accessible prices. But it’s harder to get “We want to make people to come out art available to and buy art usually, unless you are in an up- people who play in bands, work in the serper-income bracket.” vice industry and things like that. There’s With that in mind, Ian and Cody orga- no budget, no gallery commissions. It’s all nized the “Priced to Move” pop-up art gal- so artists can make a little money off their LAURA MEEK
ashionista, Screech-hater and, dare I say, philosopher Lisa Turtle once asked, “What is art? Are we art? Is art art?” While Turtle, of “Saved by the Bell,” wasn’t breaking any new ground in the world of art philosophy (she didn’t even get into Stansbury College), she did bring an ageless debate to Saturday morning. Artists, philosophers and consumers have grappled with this question for millennia, only to never quite arrive at a consensus answer. Trust me, I’m not about to give you the answer or even get involved in this debate. What I can do, however, is guide you to a place where you can interact with art and artists and even cop some local art for yourself. On June 15, 16 and 17, the old federal courthouse in downtown Jackson will be converted into a pop-up art gallery featuring work from some of metro Jackson’s artists. A pop-up gallery happens when artists set up an art show in a space that was not previously intended or used as a gallery. It is akin to a flashmob, which are all the rage. (Note: I hate to
work” Ian says. “It’s a little love note to the city of Jackson.” In addition to the art for sale, the weekend will feature music from Hott Mess (Josh Taylor and Jarad Wilson), DJ RePercussion, Liver Mousse and DJ Young Venom. Admission is free, and there will be food and drink available. Ian likes to think of the whole thing as more of a party celebrating art, as opposed to a stuffy gallery setting. All manner of art will be available, from photography and paintings, to mixed media, screen prints and concrete. “We are pretty well-rounded this year,” Ian says. So, can Ian offer us any clues to answering Lisa Turtle’s question? In my best James Lipton voice I asked, “What is art?” He replied, “There’s nothing I could say that I would let you quote me on.” Fair enough. Guess we’ll just have to go see for ourselves. Priced to Move Pop-Up Art Gallery is at the old federal courthouse (245 E. Capitol St.) 5-10 p.m. on June 15, noon-10 p.m. on June 16 and noon-4 p.m. on June 17. Admission is free. Find Priced to Move on Facebook for more information.
jacksonfreepress.com
by Garrad Lee
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