Dave Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes

ALBERTA & THE DEAD EYES | GIVE OR TAKE (LP) / “GHOST KITTY” EP | DEAD EYES COLLECTIVE | MARCH 15, 2024 / DEC. 22, 2023

 

Bio:

Alberta & The Dead Eyes is the giant-sounding band that in reality is the majority work of one real-life carpenter, David Boone (or D. Boone as he often signs off, evoking another literal and figurative giant of musical history, D. Boon of The Minutemen.)

In fact, Boone’s songs contain that same ramshackle joy and conversational, inclusive tone that Boon’s do. It’s the sound of a natural talent letting it fly.

“I’m a carpenter by day and sometimes even by night,” Boone says. “A fine carpenter at that, but a better musician.”

You may want to leave the page now to find out more about Boone, but don’t bother. He made the right choice. The choice that none of us made and many wish we had. Boone is nowhere to be found on social media.

He lets the songs do the sharing.

Alberta & The Dead Eyes will release its new 11-song album Give or Take on March 15, 2024. The album will be preceded by “Ghost Kitty,” a four-song EP of additional songs on Dec. 22, 2023.

The songs on Give or Take represent a man in withdrawal from a two-packs-a-day cigarette habit that went on for 15 years.

“Mama, did it fuck me up more than I expected,” Boone confesses. “I wrote the entire record pretty much curled up in a ball.”

Grieving his relationship with nicotine while composing, Boone kept company with his influences, numerous and varied. So numerous and varied that mentioning a handful isn’t going to help you any more than looking for Boone online will.

“I love Billie Holiday. And The Stooges. And The Band. And OutKast. And Duke Ellington. And Cole Porter. And David Sedaris. And Bill Watterson. And the Detroit Pistons. And John fucking Prine.”

Boone doesn’t mention The Minutemen, but likely would, if prompted.

“I mean Jesus, should I keep going?”

Get it?

The thing about Boone as musician that isn’t likely is how much Boone as carpenter makes it into his music. He doesn’t mention the Grateful Dead either, but the steadfast focus that underpins Boone’s freestyle nature is kinda Alberta & The Workingman’s Dead Eyes.

“I’m a complete ‘no one is coming to save you’ type of person,” he explains. “Keep your head down and do your job. Musician schmoosician. Do what your supposed to fucking do. Write good songs. Play good shows. Show up on time. Be humble and be fucking nice.”

A real-life carpenter keeping it real-life real. Refreshing.

It should be even less surprising now that musician Boone rejected Instagram squares for T-squares just like he painfully swore off smokes cold turkey for the clean lungs that arrived with the songs, or as Boone sees it, he arrived to them.

“The songs are just there, hanging out, waiting for someone,” he says.

Now that someone is you.

Alberta & The Dead Eyes will release its new 11-song album Give or Take on March 15, 2024, preceded by “Ghost Kitty,” a four-song EP of additional songs on Dec. 22, 2023.

News:

PRESS QUOTES:

Wrapped in nostalgia but not fully taken with its allure... just as interested in the past as the future.
— Various Small Flames
There is a simplicity and spaciousness that is rare in music making circles today. But, when done correctly, as it is here, that’s all you need.
— The Big Takeover
Brings together a glam sensibility with an indie rock cool... makes you want to soak up the night and see what’s out there.
— Glide Magazine
A mid-1970s tint...vocal harmonies that rise into a brief moment of transcendence.
— Treble
A journey to the heart of human vulnerability.
— IGGY (France)
Sweeping atmosphere... compelling vocals layered throughout. Incredibly rich and vibrant.
— Mystic Sons
It’s a joyful, playful sound built on the blues.
— Alt 77
Covering ample stylistic ground... It’s a winner from the first.
— Neufutur
Stunning.
— The Indie Source
Music like this should be heard and, more importantly, celebrated.
— Indie Band Guru
Vocal styling similar to legends such as Amy Winehouse.
— Lost In The Manor

Dave Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes. Photo credit: The Dead Eyes. Click for hi-res.

Dave Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes. Photo credit: The Dead Eyes. Click for hi-res.

Dave Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes. Photo credit: The Dead Eyes. Click for hi-res.

Dave Boone of Alberta & The Dead Eyes. Photo credit: The Dead Eyes. Click for hi-res.

Give or Take album cover art. Click for hi-res.

“Spiff” single cover art. Click for hi-res.

“Slow Fool” single cover art. Click for hi-res.

“Ghost Kitty” EP cover art. Click for hi-res.