Outside Dog is a rock ensemble based in the central coast of California. The project serves as both an art outlet and a rock revival that is apparent in the band’s sound that captures influences stemming from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Neil Young, and more.
Starting with catchy, home-produced songs and albums, Outside Dog leaves room for the live sound to transform into tasteful, energy-filled performances that bridge the gap between vintage nostalgia and modern innovation. While their recordings often lean into an introspective, DIY craftsmanship, their stage presence is defined by a raw, unfiltered magnetism that breathes new life into the classic rock tradition.
On the Evolution of the Song
Look for Me Lady” has been in the works since 2024 and survived various iterations. What was it about this specific song that made you keep coming back to it, even after it didn’t quite fit with previous projects like Juniper Honey?
Most of it was circumstantial. This song just stuck by my side through some changes I (Jake) was going through at the time musically, but also personally. I kept coming back to the song simply because I thought it was a good tune, however it turned out that the song itself needed that time. It feels like it transformed enormously and also subtly at the same time. It’s the same frame it was in 2024, but within that time we were able to give it a new feel with things like the strings and certain production choices.
You mentioned the track finally found its identity during the Songs for Singing sessions. What was the specific element—a certain take, a lyrical tweak, or a sonic layer—that made you realize it was finally “an Outside Dog song”?
We introduced a string trio on a couple songs for the first album Songs for Singing, and when we were doing that, we tracked the strings on “Look for Me Lady” in the same session. The time and nature of that moment was the solidifying element of it truly feeling like an Outside Dog song.
On Creative Collaboration & Sound
Matthew, you composed the arrangements for the string trio. What was the biggest challenge in blending classical violin, cello, and viola with the “raw, minimalist” rock energy the band is known for?
It was definitely a unique challenge for me (Matthew) to come up with an arrangement that served the song and didn’t clash with any of the other instruments. The first draft that I composed for the song was like a brain vomit of all these ideas I had that didn’t really work with everything that was going on in the track. It took some time and conscious effort to come up with parts that didn’t overpower the other instruments. It’s a lot of fun to figure out what works and doesn’t work with these arrangements, it’s kind of like a puzzle. An electric guitar serves a very different purpose in a song than a cello, and you have to be mindful of this and write parts around the instrument. As someone who comes from a rock and roll background and not a classical background, it’s a great opportunity for me to try things that I wouldn’t necessarily usually have the opportunity to play around with otherwise.
The track was recorded in bedrooms and garages but features a “mature and developed” sound. How do you maintain that high-fidelity, dreamy atmosphere while working in unconventional, non-studio spaces?
The unconventional, non-studio spaces actually ended up feeling the most conventional to me when I record (Jake). I think the comfort allows for the songs to maintain that atmosphere. When we do things in our own living spaces, the songs are forced to feel and sound like “our sound”.
You collaborated with friends across the state to elevate this track. How did those different regional influences or external perspectives shape the “chaotic and isolated” feeling of the final product?
The friends we collaborated with are our best friends, so their influence and perspective that shaped the feeling of the song were all driven on trust and support for one another.
On Themes & Lyrical Intent
The song captures the feeling of searching for connection in a chaotic world. Was this written from a place of personal isolation, or was it more of an observation of the general “noise” of the modern world?
I’d lean towards it being an observation of the general “noise” in this world. However, as most of my songs go, there isn’t always a specific thing driving the meaning behind what I am writing. Most times I am able to work backwards when a song is done to piece that together. Thematically, it has kept the song light, but there is also a derivable deeper meaning.
There is a delicate balance between “stripped back” folk and “dreamy soundscapes.” How do you decide when to let a moment breathe with silence versus when to fill it with texture?
Great question! Usually that decision is naturally presented over time with enough repetition of playing/hearing the song. I believe there’s a certain way each song is supposed to sit, and if you spend enough time on it, it will guide you there itself.
On the Future of Outside Dog
You’ve stated this single marks a turning point for the band. Aside from the strings, what are the core values or sounds of this “new era” that fans should expect to hear more of?
Well they definitely can expect to hear more strings and other new additional instruments. The core values of this song, however, showcase more collaboration developing in our creative space. Outside Dog started as a solo project, but as it has gone on, members have been more involved and our songs are heading in a great direction.
Outside Dog is known for its live energy. How do you plan to translate the intricate, layered string arrangements and the “ethereal” studio vibe into a high-energy live performance?
The way we have been able to perform this song best has been by picking up the energy on other fronts to make up for the lack of strings in a live environment. It’s basically a louder rock song live, simply put.
With Jake handling the mixing and the band moving toward unconventional instrumentation, are there any other “non-rock” instruments or production techniques you’re currently itching to experiment with?
Horns! We are really leaning into working with brass players on some songs we have been writing lately. Production wise, I just try to get better with every song I mix, that is my main goal so far, just to improve my mixing capabilities!
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