RADO’s Journey from ‘Raw Dough’ to Denver Jam Band Favorite

Zohaib Chishti Thursday, August 29, 2024 Content Leave a comment

Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Colorado, RADO is a band that’s all about improvisation, spontaneity, and a connection with their audience. What started as a placeholder name, a simple nod to their home state, has evolved into a full-blown identity—both for the band and their fans, affectionately known as “The Bakery.”

With the release of their debut studio album, Baker’s Measurements, RADO has taken their raw, live energy into the studio, creating a record that is as organic and unpolished as their live performances. The album is a testament to their journey, showcasing their musical roots, their love for improvisation, and their quirky humor.

In this interview, the band—featuring Dylan Tuthill on guitar and vocals, Kevin MacKinnon on bass and vocals, drummer Benny Cummings, and James Hatch on keys and vocals—reveals the story behind their name, the inspiration driving their songs, and the journey of creating Baker’s Measurements. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering their music, RADO’s tale is one of creativity, collaboration, and an unwavering passion for making music that connects with listeners.

Vents Magazine: Can you share how you decided on the name RADO for the band?

RADO: The name has truly taken on a life of its own. We initially named the band ‘RADO,’ short for Colorado, where we all met and lived. Honestly, it was a bit of a placeholder for a while until we thought we’d come up with something better. But people seemed to dig it, so we went with it. A couple of years later, when James joined, he referred to it as “raw dough,” like what you’d make a pizza with. We thought it was pretty hilarious, so we started making a bunch of baking jokes on stage. As silly as it is, there’s also a double meaning. Our music is raw in nature, particularly our live improv, which is what the band is all about. We love taking the audience on a sonic journey with us, and that rawness is what connects us to people.

Vents Magazine: Was the band aiming to capture a specific theme or mood during the composition and recording of the seven songs?

RADO: The album title, Baker’s Measurements, speaks for itself. It’s a play on the band’s name, “RADO” phonetically = Raw Dough – which in turn became our ethos for the album. We wanted it to capture the essence of the live band experience. We’ve been touring for over three years without releasing a studio album because we’ve focused on the live show and gaining organic jam fans. Going into the studio, I was worried it might not capture what the band is truly about. But I’m happy to say it turned out incredible. It embodies this identity of “Raw Dough.” A few tracks on the album have major improv dance-jam pieces that our fans will love because it was off-the-cuff, first takes, and pure spontaneity.

Vents Magazine: Did you do anything special with this project?

RADO: We brought in our friend Adam Langdon to play on “Back Nine.” It’s easily our favorite song on the album. What Adam added was the cherry on top of an already great song. If you listen closely, the texture he showcases fills the space subtly and tastefully. We always play with him when we swing through Nebraska, so getting him featured on the album was a must.

Vents Magazine: What inspired you while writing the songs? Were there specific events or experiences that sparked the creative flow?

RADO: Our lyrical approach is always changing. Inspiration can come from day-to-day life if you’re open to hearing the moment speak. We look for oddities, synchronicities, random unique phrases, thoughts, or feelings that exist day to day and try to capture those patterns through the lyrics. For example, “Back Nine” was inspired by a memory of watching a golf tournament as a kid where a golfer famously choked and lost on the last hole. The song turns into an anthem focused on the contrast between the thoughts in our heads and how we struggle to overcome them directly and openly.

We also bring personal life into the songs. ‘My Song’ is a co-write. Kevin came up with the melody, and Dylan had pre-written lyrics about a friend who had passed away. It’s one of our favorite vulnerable songs, and Kevin sings it beautifully. It’s incredible.

Vents Magazine: How does the songwriting process usually unfold for you? Do one or two band members start creating, and then everyone collaborates to develop it, or is it more spontaneous with the whole band involved from the start?

RADO: Our writing process is fluid. It typically starts with a member having a song idea, but they come in different forms. Sometimes it’s just fragments—maybe a couple of chord changes and a chorus—or in other cases, it’s more finished from a compositional standpoint. James tends to bring more finished songs, with structure already established, but he’s always open to collaborating. Dylan’s songs come a little less established, with rougher drafts. We trust the band’s input and collective creative process.

The way we work is we have songwriting sessions where we share ideas in their earliest forms to get feedback. We’ve written over 50 original songs together, including a rock opera about robots, AI, and space that Dylan’s been working on for a couple of years. Without our collaboration and trust in each other, we wouldn’t have this many original songs in such a short time.

Vents Magazine: How long did it take to write and record the album?

RADO: We had been playing shows and writing music as RADO for a few years when we decided to get into the studio. Up until then, we focused on the live setting, leaning into improvisation and being in the moment. The studio felt intimidating, but we knew it was time to craft a recorded album. We had plenty of material; we just had to decide what songs would make the cut.

The recording process took almost a year due to time and cost concerns. We recorded a song here and there when we had time and could afford it. The whole process was a learning experience, and it was fun and exciting. Once we finished the song ‘River,’ we listened to it on repeat with giant smiles for weeks. It felt amazing to hear our music with that crisp studio polish.

The challenging part was deciding when it was ‘done.’ There are so many options and tools, the hardest part is picking one and not looking back. It can be tempting to chase perfection, but we focused on making quick decisions and pushing forward, which we think lends itself to the organic, live feeling of the album.

Vents Magazine: When you’re crafting your songs, how do you know when a track is a true RADO song and worthy of being included on the album?

RADO: It’s all about the vibe we’re trying to curate. The intention behind the song is key. For this album, we wanted to touch on the different elements we bring as a band with our electronic, psychedelic, live feel.

Together, we look for emotional resonance, unique sound, and the song’s intention and message. Musical complexity is also important, as we’re known for live improvs, so we appreciate songs that offer depth. The song’s cohesion with the album concept is another factor, as we aim for a cohesive theme throughout. Lastly, the song should highlight the chemistry between band members, whether it’s tight harmonies, synchronized rhythms, or interplay of instruments. The synergy must be palpable.

Vents Magazine: Let’s talk about your musical roots—how old were you when you first developed a passion for music? And who are RADO’s biggest influences?

RADO: Individually, we all had early musical influences. I grew up in a creative, musically blessed household where The Beatles, Phish, and Led Zeppelin inspired me to start playing and writing songs at a young age. Kevin was exposed to music at a young age, listening to classic rock like Grateful Dead, which got him interested in musical improv. James had a musical family, and his step-brother introduced him to Phish and Widespread Panic. Bruce started drumming at age four and played in bands throughout high school and college, heavily influenced by funk and progressive rock.

As a band, we have a deep appreciation for jam bands, often drawing influences and comparisons to groups like the Disco Biscuits and Phish. However, our musical tastes are diverse, spanning Hip-Hop, EDM, Funk, and beyond, which you can hear reflected in our songs.

Vents Magazine: What are one or two key things you’d like your fans to know about you?

RADO: You’ve got to come see us play live! Yes, this album is awesome and conveys what we are about sonically, but there is NOTHING in the world like live music. We pride ourselves on being a dynamic live act, and if you come, I promise you’ll dance. That’s our goal every time!

Listen to “Baker’s Measurements” Album: rado.hearnow.com/bakers-measurements

Album Track List: