A Doll’s House, Annum Review

Stories of resurgence, rebirth, and relentless passion often craft compelling albums in music. Annum, the debut album by A Doll’s House, embodies this with a narrative thirty years in the making. Through an exclusive interview with Seth Rafkin and Dav Petrunich, the band’s core members, we unravel the layers of their journey, from the neon-lit stages of 80s L.A. to the reflective quiet of the recording studio that birthed their first-ever album.

Q: After spending years apart, pursuing different paths in life, what sparked the reunion of A Doll’s House and the creation of Annum? Was there a specific moment or event that signaled to you all that now was the time to bring this project to life?

A: Dav: We had a moment a few years ago where the father of a good friend of the band passed away. At his memorial service, an old friend let us know that he had our original demo from back in the early 90s – literally a cassette of a few songs we recorded in a studio. Listening to that in the context of a memorial service – obviously something that makes you think about the passage of time — sparked us to start working on songs together again. At first, it was just strictly for fun, but one thing led to another. We said, you know, we should finally make a real album, something we really love, and be able to say we actually did that before we leave this earth. During the final mixing of the album, Brian Wheat suggested that we try to do something with it, and with his guidance, we decided to actually release it and devote some attention to promoting it. It’s been a very rewarding process.

Dav reveals a poignant spark for their reunion: a memorial service and an old demo cassette that rekindled their passion for music. This moment of introspection, considering the finite nature of time, propelled them back into the studio. “At first, it was just strictly for fun, but one thing led to another,” Dav recounts, highlighting the serendipitous turn from reminiscence to creation that led to Annum. This narrative sets the stage for their comeback and underscores the album’s emotional depth, where each track is a testament to their journey back to music.

The opening track, “And Time,” exemplifies the emotional depth and musical maturity that Dav hints at. Its intricate opening with ethereal chimes and backward guitar parts builds excitement as the song unfolds a performance of the band’s evolution and Wheat’s studio magic, setting a tone of anticipation and energy that characterizes their renewed journey.

Q: Considering the band’s initial influence by the vibrant L.A. music scene of the late ’80s, how do you feel your music has evolved with Annum? Are there new influences or life experiences that have significantly shaped the sound and direction of this album?

A: Seth: A few things come to mind. First, Dav and I start our songs off in terms of the writing process. I think given how much longer we’ve been listening and thinking about music since back then – literally 30 years – we just know so much more that we’ve become much better writers overall. Second, we are much more mature when it comes to the writing process. (We remain very immature in many other ways). By that, I mean we are much more focused on the overall song and not about who wrote what part or whose part might get cut or changed, etc. There is really no ego involved, which is not exactly the case when you’re 19 or 20. The last thing for me personally is that I start songs off in a more varied way now. It might start with guitar or piano or just a bass line, whereas back in the day, I tended to start almost always with the bass.

Seth speaks to the band’s evolution, attributing their refined sound to decades of musical and personal growth. This maturity, devoid of ego, allowed for a focus on the “overall song,” crafting a sound that’s both complex and introspective. This evolution is palpable in Annum, where each chord and lyric speaks to a journey not just through the seasons, as the album’s thematic arc suggests, but through life itself.

“Woven” captures this evolution with its funky guitar rhythms, flowing bass line, and evolving song form. The matured songwriting Seth describes is evident in the song’s dynamic structure and emotive vocals, showcasing their growth and the depth of their musical journey.

Q: The tracks on Annum, such as ‘Steps to Summer,’ ‘Witch’s Tree,’ ‘Chimney,’ and ‘Wisteria (Bloom),’ suggest a thematic journey through the seasons. Could you elaborate on the conceptual genesis of this theme and how the songwriting process unfolded for the album?

A: Dav: As we were really starting to focus on which songs should be on this album, Witch’s Tree Wisteria were on the short list pretty quickly. That got us thinking about the idea of the having the “second side” of the album be, as you put it, a bit of a journey through the seasons. We then realized that we had Chimney, which was a perfect Winter song. And then I wrote the music for what became Steps To Summer, and Seth did his thing with the vocals and lyrics, which obviously completed the set, so to speak. The thing we really like about it is that we didn’t force it. It was an idea that was out there, but we didn’t want to set out to “try” to write season songs because we just thought that would end up sounding too forced. But fortunately, it worked out great for this album.

The conversation about the album’s section of seasonal narrative arc reveals the organic nature of their songwriting process. Dav explains how “Witch’s Tree” and “Wisteria (Bloom)” quickly became thematic anchors, leading to a fluid, yet unplanned journey through the seasons. This serendipity in creation adds a layer of authenticity to the album, inviting listeners to traverse the emotional landscapes of Annum alongside the band.

Furthermore, the reflective and light summery feel of “Wisteria (Bloom)” perfectly encapsulates the thematic journey Dav mentions. Its vocal harmonies and catchy motif-based guitar solo offer a glimpse into the band’s creative process, translating the conceptual genesis of seasons into a musical narrative that resonates with listeners.

Q: Working with Brian Wheat, a seasoned producer known for his work with Tesla, must have been a significant aspect of creating Annum. How did his expertise and vision influence the album’s production and overall sound? Were there any particular challenges or breakthroughs during the recording process at J Street Recorders?

A: Seth: Brian’s contribution was huge. Brian is very decisive, and if he hears something he thinks we should try, he’ll take as much time as we need to try it and figure out if it works or not. He made a lot of on the fly suggestions on arrangements, effects, etc. One of my favorite moments in the process was when I was with Brian in New York doing the final mixing. We were working on Wisteria and Brian says, “You know I think it needs a guitar solo.” So, he calls Dav right then and there and Dav went to work and literally by the next morning, Dav had sent the solo to us. Brian loved it, and we plugged it in, and now it’s my favorite solo on the album.

Seth credits Brian Wheat, the seasoned producer, for his decisive and innovative influence on the album. Wheat’s knack for spontaneous creativity, as seen in the addition of a last-minute guitar solo to “Wisteria (Bloom),” underscores the collaborative spirit that defines Annum. Wheat’s contribution goes beyond mere technical adjustments, infusing the album with a sense of adventure and exploration.

The song “And Time” again highlights Wheat’s influence, where his production choices amplify the band’s vision. The balanced sound stage and the clarity of each instrument underscore the collaborative spirit between Wheat and the band, bringing a polished yet profound depth to their music.

Q: Having achieved the milestone of releasing Annum after such a long journey, what reflections do you have on the process? Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of A Doll’s House? Are there already plans for more music, tours, or other projects?

A: Dav: Looking back at the process of making and releasing Annum, we are extremely proud of the album. Seth and I started this whole thing by saying to each other let’s just do it. At that point, we didn’t know if Tony, our drummer, would be into it or able to do it, and we didn’t even know our singer, Dave Santos. But things fell into place, and Tony was all in. It would never be A Doll’s House record without Tony. Tony always has been and will be our favorite drummer. And somehow, we managed to find Dave Santos, who took the vocals to a whole new level for the band. He has a great voice and a very unique sense of harmony, which made a huge contribution to the vibe of the album.

Looking back, the band expresses a sense of pride and accomplishment. Dav’s reflection on finding Dave Santos and the seamless integration into the band encapsulates the album’s essence — a harmonious blend of past and present, creating a sound that is nostalgic yet refreshingly new. The band’s openness to future projects signals an exciting new chapter in their journey, with Annum as a powerful prologue.

“Over Easy” changes the mood with its acoustic warmth and showcases the band’s reflections and aspirations. The emotional depth and the dynamic contrast in the song reflect the band’s journey and their hopeful outlook toward the future, embodying the pride Dav speaks of and hinting at the band’s enduring creative spirit.

Annum is a narrative woven from the threads of lost time, renewed connections, and the enduring drive to create. The thoughtful responses from Seth Rafkin and Dav Petrunich, set against the backdrop of their thirty-year musical odyssey, offer insights into the band’s evolution and creative process. From the serendipitous spark that reignited their passion to the collaborative alchemy in the studio, Annum reminds us that it’s never too late to revisit abandoned dreams and breathe life into them once more.

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