Biography
The Pacific Northwest roots rock circuit features few acts more promising than the expansive nine-piece ensemble called the Maldives. Their sound merges the Band’s mature, graceful storytelling with the rawer, harder-hitting drive of alt-country outfits such as the Old 97’s and the Drive-By Truckers. Named after an island chain in the Indian Ocean, the group is fronted by lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Jason Dodson, who launched it in early 2002 shortly after relocating from his native Virginia to Vancouver, Washington.
Dodson and guitarist Jason Bonn initially planned an indie-pop project shaped by the Flaming Lips and Wilco, yet Dodson soon grew dissatisfied and steered his songwriting toward country influences. In the Maldives’ first years the lineup shifted constantly; Dodson informed a journalist in 2006 that around thirty players had already entered and exited. For a period he even kept the name alive while performing solo.
Late in 2004, Dodson booked a show at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern and recruited Bonn plus guitarist Tim Gadbois for the occasion. The strong performance marked a fresh start, after which bassist Chris Warner, pedal-steel and keyboard player Chris Zasche, and drummer Ryan McMackin joined. That sextet tracked the self-titled debut album in 2005; Dodson issued it the following year once he obtained funds for mastering and pressing.
Banjo, accordion, and keyboard player Kevin Barrans, violinist Seth Warren, and percussionist-keyboardist Tomo Nakayama then enlarged the band to nine members. Regional audiences quickly learned of the group’s dynamic live shows and Dodson’s intelligent, nuanced songwriting. By fall 2009 the full lineup, already praised by local critics as one of Washington’s strongest concert attractions, released Listen to the Thunder on the independent Mt. Fuji Records label.
Dodson and guitarist Jason Bonn initially planned an indie-pop project shaped by the Flaming Lips and Wilco, yet Dodson soon grew dissatisfied and steered his songwriting toward country influences. In the Maldives’ first years the lineup shifted constantly; Dodson informed a journalist in 2006 that around thirty players had already entered and exited. For a period he even kept the name alive while performing solo.
Late in 2004, Dodson booked a show at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern and recruited Bonn plus guitarist Tim Gadbois for the occasion. The strong performance marked a fresh start, after which bassist Chris Warner, pedal-steel and keyboard player Chris Zasche, and drummer Ryan McMackin joined. That sextet tracked the self-titled debut album in 2005; Dodson issued it the following year once he obtained funds for mastering and pressing.
Banjo, accordion, and keyboard player Kevin Barrans, violinist Seth Warren, and percussionist-keyboardist Tomo Nakayama then enlarged the band to nine members. Regional audiences quickly learned of the group’s dynamic live shows and Dodson’s intelligent, nuanced songwriting. By fall 2009 the full lineup, already praised by local critics as one of Washington’s strongest concert attractions, released Listen to the Thunder on the independent Mt. Fuji Records label.
Albums