Hello Dollface is no reggae band. But that doesn’t mean the local trio doesn’t count the late Bob Marley among its many influences.
“We have some roots in reggae, and some of our originals have that influence, but we don’t really play reggae,” said bassist Jesse Ogle.
The band will headline a show it is calling “One Love” tonight at the Henry Strater Theatre. Also on the bill is DiVoM from Sedona, Ariz., and local DJ I-Gene. DiVoM (pronounced “divvum”) is a jazz outfit led by David Vincent Mills. Ogle and Edwards met him in Los Angeles, where they were working on their booking and band-support business, iAM Music.
That’s also how they met Genn Gaus of Tucson, Ariz.’s Genevieve & the LPs. Gaus is bringing another guest vocalist who will take the stage sight unseen.
“She said ‘trust me,’ and we trust her,” Ogle said. “There’s a whole network of people we’ve got going on in Tucson, and we hang out together, share shows and bring them up here when we can.”
The tribute show is a first for Hello Dollface, which is one of the busiest acts working in Durango as well as maintaining a robust regional schedule. But Ogle said doing something different every so often – last year, the band staged a concert with acrobats and dancers from the Salt Fire Circus – keeps things interesting and gives regulars a chance to see a different side of the band.
They’ll play many of the songs in their own soul-funk-disco style, but Ogle said some of Marley’s tracks, like “Belly Full” and “Waiting in Vain,” have to be played the way their creator intended.
“Some you just can’t change. It’s gotta be reggae,” Ogle said. “If you’re not reworking it or doing something different, then it can be fun to play it straight.”
ted@durangoherald.com
If you go
Hello Dollface, with special guests DiVoM and DJ I-Gene, will play a tribute to Bob Marley at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $15 day of show. For more information, call 375-7160 or visit www.henrystratertheatre.com.
