Sunday, the Dirty Heads and Matisyahu played at Simon Estes (errr…Wooly’s, once the rain started) and before hand we caught up with Dustin “Duddy” Bushnell for a quick interview.

So, you guys are currently on tour with Matisyahu, who is on a song from the new album, right?

“Yeah, its called ‘Dance All Night’, it’s actually our new single […] that’s actually how this whole tour got started. We asked him to come down to our studio to get on the track for our new album. While we were in the studio we realized we had albums coming out about the same time, we’re gonna be on a track together, so why not tour together. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Did you guys know him beforehand, or did you just like his music and asked him?

“Well, we do like his music. But, we’ve had somewhat of a relationship with him.  One of the first big tours we ever did was with him and 311. And that was probably six or seven years ago. So, from then to now, we’ve run into each other through festivals and shows and played with each other. So we’ve kind of kept in touch. Then we were working on the new album, and we just though he would fit perfect on that song, so we’re really glad it worked out.”

How long have you guys been on tour, how much time do you have left?

“We’ve been out for about a month and a half, and we have like two months left.”

Any particular places you’re excited to go?

“Really, this whole tour, I’m excited to go everywhere cause we just released a new album, and we get to play new songs, and we get to see how people are receiving the album. So, the whole tour has been fun. It was a long time since our last album, we’ve been playing the same songs for so long, it’s just refreshing to play the new stuff.”

So, where did inspiration for the new album come from? Cause to me, it seems a little more laid back than the first ones.

“Well the first one, we didn’t really have a plan for it. Each song was kind of its own thing, we were just doing whatever we wanted. First time in a big studio, and whatnot. And this one, it was more like… we had a direction we wanted to go for a fun, summer album. Something you could put on not matter where you are, what the weather is, and just take you away to this cabin by the sea, you know, by a bonfire, or whatever. And so, the whole album is a piece of work, instead of each song like on the first one. And so far, I think the crowds have been enjoying it.”

So, who are some of the bands that you get inspiration from?

“Beastie Boys and Sublime were definitely a huge inspiration to us growing up. Really, so many… a lot of classic rock, Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, things like that, and a lot of old reggae, Horace Andy and obviously, Bob Marley, Yellowman, a lot of people, a lot of different kinds of music.”

Are you guys enjoying your time in the Midwest? I know you are playing at Stir Cove in Council Bluffs in a few weeks.

“Yes, you could be right [laughs]. I couldn’t answer when, but I know we are playing there. Yeah, we always have a good time, the crowds have always been growing, and every time we come it gets better and better, so we will keep coming back.”

Well, with the whole summer vibe you guys are going for, I think it’ll be fun for you guys to play outside tonight.

“Yeah! Hopefully the rain holds off and we get some sun.”

So, what are some of your personal favorite tracks of the new album?

“The ones definitely that we had guest stars on. Those were always really fun. ‘Dance All Night’, ‘Your Love’, ‘Smoke Rings’, ‘Mongo Push… we had a bunch of people come in on those, those are always fun. I really like a song called ‘Day By Day’ on it […] I haven’t picked a favorite yet.”

(The Dirty Heads and Matisyahu tour schedule can be found at http://www.dirtyheads.com/?page_id=7, and the bands new album, ‘Cabin By The Sea’ is on sale now, and on iTunes. Check ‘em out!!)

And then…this happened. Followed by 2 to 3 hours of confusion about if/when/where the show was going to happen.

Photos by Casey Austen (www.caseyausten.com)