"What resonates with us the most is a kind of subtle, creeping horror - not necessarily supernatural or slasher themes, but rather those elements that linger in the ordinary aspects of daily life."
— Katie Healy
You’ve characterized ‘Return The Day’ as “a soundscape born from sleepless nights, intrusive thoughts, and the quiet battle between the mind and the surrounding world.” Capturing the inherent discomfort of these experiences through the EP is quite an accomplishment - was it challenging to convey such internal processes and create something for public consumption?
Katie: We're really adept at generating grand, ambitious ideas but then often find it difficult to figure out how to bring them to life. There's this entire process of translating our notions from 'dog race spice' / 'big spooks' language to Ali [Chant, producer], which is a challenge in itself. He’s amazing, honestly - I’m not entirely sure how or why he tolerates us, yet he nails it every single time.
That being said, I find it easier to create something within our little dog race universe with Ali than to let it go. Writing is where I confront everything raw and vulnerable, and releasing it to the world is when it truly becomes real and daunting. Overcoming that psychological barrier and allowing others into something so personal is undoubtedly the most difficult part of the writing process for me.
How did you choose Ali Chant as the person to help realize this collection of tracks?
Will: We’ve been aware of and admired Ali’s work for a long time, so it was fantastic to collaborate with him on our second single, ‘There’s a Mouse in My House.’ He played a vital role in shaping that track and helping us define the sound we aimed to create. It was a natural choice to bring ‘It’s The Squeeze’ to him next. After that, he proposed releasing it on his label Fascination Street, which was a clear decision, and since then, he hasn't been able to shake us off. We tend to explain our ideas in ways that most people probably couldn’t turn into anything coherent, yet he always somehow manages to hit the mark.
Much of Dog Race’s universe appears to engage with the uncanny - can you share how non-musical media influences your songwriting?
Katie: We draw just as much inspiration from non-musical sources as we do from music, taking cues from our favorite films, directors, books, and even advertisements. Kubrick has greatly influenced us, along with Wim Wenders. What resonates most is a type of quiet, creeping horror - not the supernatural or slasher variety, but rather what lies beneath the ordinary details of everyday life. It’s that psychological tension (the gradual unraveling of a character in a familiar environment) that ignites our imagination far more than conventional horror could. The feeling that something is amiss without anything overtly wrong often shapes the mood and tone of our music.
If you could join any band from the 21st century, which one would you choose?
Will: Sextile.
Lastly, DIY is coming to dinner - what are you cooking?
James: Bucky and chips.
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