Dams of the West operates as a sharp-witted indie rock outfit that places equal weight on rhythmic drive and melodic craft, serving as a side venture for Chris Tomson, the Vampire Weekend drummer. He was the final member of that group to launch an independent project, forming Dams of the West during a period of downtime that also prompted reflection on marriage, parenthood, and the broader shift into his thirties. Songwriting began in earnest, leading Tomson to commit to a full solo album by 2016. After fellow Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio listened to the early recordings, he recommended Patrick Carney of the Black Keys as a potential producer. Tomson reached out, and Carney committed to the sessions without delay. Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, joined the effort and advised releasing the material under a band name rather than as a solo effort. Tomson accepted the suggestion and settled on Dams of the West. The resulting LP, Youngish American, appeared in February 2017 through Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Records imprint. To promote the record, Tomson recruited a road lineup that performed a string of concerts, among them a support slot for Black Joe Lewis.
