Words and Photos by Donna Borges
Los Angeles alt-Americana band Dutch Interior played an “in the round” set at the Lodge Room last week. The show was planned in celebration of their new EP It’s Glass, which features five songs that range from country ballads to glitchy slowcore.
The room was transformed with a circular stage built in the middle of the floor, where the band members sat in a circle facing each other. Fans could choose their view, with each point in the room providing a different experience. The show itself was intimate – it felt like we were looking in on friends at a band practice. Listening to each song in this format kept those of us closest to the stage locked in on each moment, feeling as though we were a part of the performance itself instead of passive observers.
Another thing that set this show apart from others were the unique instruments used in each song, including bongos, a guiro, and a harmonium – a hand-pumped reed organ that I have never seen used live before. Their attention to detail is seen in the choice to include these instruments, as many artists would omit these pieces or achieve these sounds with samples or synths. Using these instruments for seemingly minor parts of each song shows their musicianship and dedication to the craft – adding an interesting layer to the show which piqued my interest as a musician myself.
Dutch Interior ended the set with an encore of “E-cig,” one of their earlier singles released back in 2024. It was sort of special to see them end with a more distorted and upbeat song of theirs, showcasing their range as artists and the ways their sound has shifted over the past few years – proving that there is a little something for everyone in their discography.
You can stay up to date with the band here and listen to It’s Glass below:
