Treefort 2023 Profile: Italy’s Dumbo Gets Mad
No matter the size of your ears, you’d better have them wide open for psychedelic pop at Treefort Music Fest, lest you infuriate a certain Disney cartoon. Dumbo Gets Mad are Italy’s sole entry on the sprawling lineup, which includes more international artists than ever before.
To be precise, Dumbo Gets Mad currently calls Los Angeles home. It’s there that they’ll embark on a monthlong tour starting Friday, with Treefort smack-dab in the middle of the trek. Dumbo Gets Mad will surely perform some selections from their latest record, Things Are Random and Time Is Speeding Up, as it dropped in February 2021. But if we’re lucky, we might also hear some material from Thank You Neil, Dumbo Gets Mad’s 2015 record and tribute to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The Bad Penny recently caught up with Dumbo Gets Mad to talk about what they have in store for their Treefort set, what other bands they’re most looking forward to seeing and what they’re expecting from their first trip to Idaho.
[Go here for a primer on this series of Treefort Music Fest previews. Check back for new profiles of international artists playing the festival every day leading up to the fest’s kickoff on Wednesday, March 22.]
Artist: Dumbo Gets Mad
From: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Genre: psych soul
Treefort info: Playing Friday, March 24, at Neurolux at 11:40 p.m.
Website: DumboGetsMad.bandcamp.com
Why did you decide to play Treefort Fest this year?
DUMBO GETS MAD: We were supposed to play in 2020, then all the world stopped for a few months, and here we are again. I hope this year is gonna be great.
What excites you the most about participating in it?
DUMBO GETS MAD: There are many bands and musician I’m excited to meet and to see play live. Plus the whole festival experience should be fantastic!
Have you visited Boise/Idaho before? If yes, do you have any fun stories to share? If not, what have you heard about Boise/Idaho?
DUMBO GETS MAD: It’s gonna be my first time in Idaho. In my mind, I picture a state with a beautiful and pristine nature all around.
Did you face any challenges or headaches in securing a visa to come here?
DUMBO GETS MAD: It’s always a tricky procedure, a lot of bureaucracy involved in the process and it’s really time-consuming. But this time I think it all went through pretty much smoothly.
What expectations do you have for your experience here and at Treefort?
DUMBO GETS MAD: High expectations for sure. I’d like to met as much people as possible and enjoying it as much as possible.
How would you describe your state of mind going into Treefort?
DUMBO GETS MAD: I would describe it as thrilling. We’re touring the West Coast, and Treefort is certainly one of the most exciting stage I’m looking for to play on.
What other artists on the Treefort lineup are you excited to see? Are you friends with any of them?
DUMBO GETS MAD: I’m excited to see UMO [Unknown Mortal Orchestra] for sure, but also Lady Wray. I know no one personally.
What do you enjoy most about performing at music festivals in general?
DUMBO GETS MAD: As a spectator, I always feel very inspired after a music festival. Usually makes me want to write a bunch of new songs. It creates a creative vibe, and performing at it is special for this reason, I guess.
What can Treefort attendees expect from your performance?
DUMBO GETS MAD: We’re going to put the best of ourselves in our performance. That is guaranteed …
For more Treefort coverage, check out our recent conversations with:
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