Dolour - Definition

Under the leadership of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Shane Tutmarc, Dolour is proving that pop and indie rock can peacefully co-exist. Dolour is the vehicle through which Tutmarc drives his honest and inventive music, delicately layered with intricate instrumentation and clever arrangements.

Based in Seattle, amidst a thriving independent music scene, Tutmarc stands out among the masses. “Shane Tutmarc is one of the best songwriters in Seattle, let alone the rest of the music world," says John Richards, Program Director for KEXP. While his songs are refreshingly unique, Tutmarc brings a comforting familiarity to the mix with melodies and hooks that give a respectful nod to both pop icons and contemporaries alike. Kings of A&R calls Dolour’s music “smart, charming, and mature indie pop that draws comparisons to Elvis Costello, the Beatles, Flaming Lips, Weezer, Ben Folds, Brian Wilson, and Elliott Smith…”

Releasing Dolour’s first album, “Waiting for a World War,” in 2001 to enthusiastic reviews, Tutmarc quickly followed up with Dolour’s second release, “Suburbiac,” a dynamic album that helped to establish Dolour as a staple of the Seattle music scene.

Tutmarc’s all-encompassing influence is more prevalent than ever on Dolour’s third and latest release, “New Old Friends,” which the Seattle Times calls “a not-to-be-missed collection of indie pop.” The album also marks Dolour’s first collaboration with Seattle-based Made in Mexico Records. “New Old Friends” showcases the depths of Tutmarc’s talents – from elegant orchestral flourishes on tracks such as “October 29th” and “What If,” to catchy guitar hooks and sing-along choruses on “Butter Knife Suicide” and “CPR,” to the synth-heavy “You Can’t Make New Old Friends” – Tutmarc proves he is an exceptionally accomplished and mature songwriter. At once irreverent and sweet, the first single, “Cheer Up Baby,” is undeniably infectious. Though throughout the album, Tutmarc demonstrates that pop music doesn’t always have to be saccharin sweet. On “I Smell a Lawsuit,” he conveys his disappointment in the sometimes seedy music industry, while the title tells the story of “My Paranoid Mind.”

Dolour’s album tracks transfer seamlessly to the stage, where a rotating cast of talented musicians help to bring Tutmarc’s perfectly-crafted pop songs to life. By playing hundreds of live shows up and down the West Coast and several trips out East, Dolour has built a substantial and loyal following. Helping to broaden its ever-growing fan base is Dolour’s appearance on several compilations, samplers, and tribute albums including Filter Magazine’s SXSW sampler; compilations for Hollister Clothing Co., Lucky Brand Dungarees/The Buckle, and AbsolutePunk.net; a tribute album to Beach Boy Brian Wilson; and most recently and perhaps most notably, Dolour appeared on Vagrant’s “In Honor: A Compilation to Beat Cancer” (with Dashboard Confessional, the Descendents, Jawbreaker, Rocky Votolato, and many more).

With the support of Made in Mexico Records and management group Viva La Rock, Dolour finds itself poised to spread its infectious brand of sophisticated pop music beyond the West Coast to find its home in the hearts of a larger, nationwide audience.

-SEE ALSO-

• Shane Tutmarc
• Viva La Rock
• Fugitive Recordings
• Sonic Boom Records
• Made In Mexico Records

-DISCOGRAPHY-

• New Old Friends (2004)
• CPR ep (2003)
• Suburbiac (2002)
• Iceland 7" (2001)
• Waiting For A World War (2001)