An Interview with Dolours, August 2026

How would you describe your sound? 

We’re a darkwave band at heart, with bits of noise rock and dark alternative thrown in. I’m [Danny] a sucker for synth-pop too, so there’s probably a bit of that in there as well. People like to compare us to other bands, but we like to think we’ve got our own thing going on.

How was the band formed? How/when did the members decide to start a band?

Liam and I met at work and ended up in a band together, which is where we met Arthur and Jacob. We've known each other for years, supported each other, collaborated on projects and gone to gigs, and there's a lot of love between the four of us. It was only a matter of time before we got together and started making music again. Dolours is us having fun and making the sound we want to hear.

How did you develop your sound as a group? Was it more of an immediate click or has it evolved over time? 

It was a bit of both. We all listen to different stuff, but there are a few key influences we share like Joy Division, Model/Actriz and Fontaines D.C. Because we've spent so much time playing together, there's a lot of chemistry between us, and our sound has evolved organically over time as we've added different influences and textures to the mix.

Tell me about I AM THE DOG!! What was the creative process behind it? What significance does it hold to you? How did you create this work as a collaborative effort? Anything specific you wish to highlight about it? 

We wrote it all one afternoon at Liam’s. Arthur came in with these cool opening lines, and I just carried that vibe through into what became the chorus. It all happened really naturally, which is what we love about working together. Liam brings so much to the table as a producer, and I think the strength of the songs really shows that. 

What has your experience performing/operating out of Birmingham been like? Does location hold any influence over your creative process/how you think about your work? 

We practise a lot in Shrewsbury these days because Arthur and Jacob are based up Merseyside/Lancashire way, but Birmingham is still our spiritual home because that's where most of us met, even if Liam and I are Black Country boys, really. I don't really think about where I am when I'm writing, more about how I feel, but I guess our hardworking attitude owes a lot to growing up in industrial areas. 

How do you deal with creative blocks as a band? How do you continue to come up with new sounds/ideas as a group? 

We don't tend to have creative blocks as Dolours, to be honest. We operate sort of like a hive mind and no idea is seen as a bad idea. We just cherry-pick the best ones. Because we've all got our own influences, the sounds coming out of us are always fresh.

Describe the average band practice! What does your creative process look like? How do these songs go from ideas to music? 

At heart, we all love creating, both as individuals and as a collective. It's the stuff that comes along organically that really speaks to people, and those are the songs we love to make. We currently have over 20 songs at various stages of completion, and we tend to go into practice with a handful of ideas and a clear sense of where we want to take them. Despite us all having full-time jobs, and some of us having children, our passion for making music is almost necessary to living. 

What is the hardest part about being in a band? What gets you through those times?

Probably the anticipation. We're a new band with a fresh sound and, ultimately, we want to play sick gigs and we want people to connect with what we're doing. It can be stressful at times, but it's incredibly rewarding when a song takes off and you start seeing the dates roll in. That's what keeps us going. 

Which song of yours was the most fun to write & make? why/what was the process?

There’s a song we’ve played live a few times called Your Words, which was incredibly fun to write because it happened almost instantly in the room. The adrenaline rush when something comes together so naturally is tough to beat, and I’m really proud of that one. You might see it on streaming at some point, who knows. Not telling. 

What helps bond you as a group? 

I think it's the fact that we're a big bunch of weirdos who laugh at the same things. The music obviously helps too. We've got so many stories from over the years, and I think the laughter is what bonds us more than anything.

Aiming for the sky - what is your biggest goal as a band? (dream venue, collaborations, achievements, etc.)

I can list them if you like, haha. We'd absolutely love to play a big festival. That would be massive for us. In the short term, even doing just one gig in Manchester would be huge. Dream collaborations would probably be with either Model/Actriz or GANS. GANS are massive and they're from our neck of the woods. It's great to see them doing so well and supporting Pixies, for example. Getting the chance to support GANS would be incredible.

What does the future hold/what are you working towards right now? 

We’re currently storyboarding a video for our next single, Parade. We’ll be shooting plenty of photos and doing promo for that, so stay tuned. We’re also looking to get out and gig up and down the country, building towards an eventual EP release later this year somewhere in the Black Country. We absolutely can’t wait.

Check them out HERE!

fearandloathingwest.com/dolours