Marc Dauer

aka: "Doc"

photo credit: Bich Ngoc
House of Blues
Los Angeles, CA

Occupation(s): Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Physician
Favorite PH Song: 7 Circles
Favorite PH Album: Unstoppable Forces
Favorite PH Live moment: too many to mention....taking the entire club out on the street sticks out for me

Hey, Doc! How do you know Peter Himmelman?
My sister was Peter's son's camp counselor many years ago. I gave her a tape of my songs to give to Peter, and he was very nice and supportive. When I needed to put a band together, he lent me his rhythm section of Al and Andy, and that led to me getting a record deal with MCA.

Gotta love Andy and Al! That's cool! : ) Were you a fan of Peter Himmelman before you got to know him through your sister? When did you get hooked?
I wasn't familiar with Peter's music before then but quickly became hooked shortly thereafter.

How did you end up on the title track of Peter's kids' album My Fabulous Plum?
I was visiting, and he said, "Wanna sing some harmonies on my new kids' album? " I said, "Sure do!"

THAT ROCKS!! What is it like to work with Peter in the studio?
He's a genius, someone capable of multi-tasking, and doing every job extraordinarily well -- a marvel to observe!

You went from singing back up on Peter's album to eventually having him featured on Trampoline Records Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, the first release of the label you are launching with Rami Jaffee of The Wallflowers and solo artist Pete Yorn. How did you decide to get involved with launching the Trampoline Records label?
Trampoline arose from an idea that Pete, Rami and I have all had at various times in our lives. That idea was to find a way to bring the music we love to people who appreciate it as much as we do. People always complain about the sad state of new music -- 'cause there is so much crap out there. But there's a lot of great stuff too, and if we can help get the good music out there, then we will have succeeded in our goal.

Doc, I heard you introduce Peter Himmelman at the first Trampoline Records Revue ever held at House of Blues on Sunset Strip. I remember your saying that Peter really inspired you to pursue your music. How did he inspire you?
His songwriting and devotion to his craft are what continue to inspire me.

I find Peter pretty inspiring, too. : ) I love his lyrics, his music, and his stage presence.
How do you know Rami Jaffee and Pete Yorn?
Rami and I met at the Kibitz Room at Canter's Deli in LA in the early nineties when he ran the famous "Tuesday night jams" there. Pete and I also met in the early nineties. We met through mutual friends and immediately connected on a personal and musical level. It's been like that ever since.

Trampoline Records Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 is a KILLER CD. How did you and the guys decide on which bands and which tunes would make it onto the album? Was it thrilling to have so much talent represented on this landmark CD?
It was very difficult deciding since we had so much good stuff to choose from. We pounded it out over drinks one night, and the rest is history. We feel honored to have all the artists on the compilation.

Do you, Rami, and Pete have different areas of responsibility in terms of the work you each do for Trampoline Records? If so, who is responsible for what?
We try and delegate what each of us is best at, and that changes from day to day. But the bottom line is all the major decisions have to be OK'd by all three of us. That's how we keep our vision straight.

What are some of the challenges you, Pete, and Rami have faced in working to establish your company?
The main challenge has been $$$$$. As you know, the record industry is going through a rocky time right now, and for us on a shoestring budget, it's been very difficult to keep things going without a lot of cash flow. But we're trying our hardest, and hopefully word of mouth will keep Trampoline bouncing for many years to come.

Building a record label is painstaking work and lots of it. What are the things that keep you going? What has been the most rewarding part so far of this new venture?
The most rewarding part of this entire venture has been seeing something transform from an idea in our minds to an absolute reality. We feel like we're making a difference in our own little way. We're doing what we've always dreamed of doing, and plan on doing it for a long time.

What are your hopes for the future of Trampoline Records?
We would like to keep exposing people to great music, and along those lines, we'd like to release some individual artists' albums soon. We're also going to keep releasing the compilation albums, and we're working on a DVD based on the two Trampoline Revue shows that recently took place at the House of Blues in Hollywood.

When you are not working on your label, you are very busy with your own music. What can you tell me about your band Jukebox Junkies? How was it founded? What kind of music do you play?
I used to lead a band called Five Easy Pieces. We released a couple of albums, and when the band had run its course, I decided to re-group under the name Jukebox Junkies.

Jukebox Junkies is a manifestation of my songs and vision, with a supporting cast of many characters including Zak Schaffer (my right hand man), Pete Yorn, members of Minibar, Shawn Beste, Joe Kennedy, Rami Jaffee, Ben Peeler, and many others. I like to call the music Alt Country Alternative Pop Rock. Last year, I released the album Choose Your Fix, which is available on the Internet. I plan on re-releasing that album into stores sometime soon, and I'm currently working on a new Jukebox Junkies album, which I hope to have completed by June or July.

Will you re-release Choose Your Fix on the Tramp label? And are you thinking of making any additions or other changes to it for its re-release?
I definitely plan on re-releasing CYF on Tramp -- maybe with new artwork. 'Also thinking about re-releasing it at the same time as the new album.

That could be a good move. In my research I saw that, barefootrock.com had some great things to say about your band and about its debut album Choose Your Fix:

Jukebox Junkies accomplished something in 2002 that no other indie artist was able to match ... a number-one indie album that spawned two number-one indie singles. To prove their musical impact, the album and both singles ended the year in our Top 10 airplay lists for 2002 ... "Choose Your Fix," is one of the best-crafted rock albums of 2002, indie or not. We dare you to discover this terrific band.

By the way, congratulations on being named barefootrock.com's 2002 Indie Artist of the Year. That's outstanding!
Thank you!

You're welcome. : ) Are you planning to tour in support of your upcoming Jukebox Junkies releases?
'Planning on it for sure -- in some limited context. 'Still trying to get the Trampoline Revue show on the road!

The last time I spoke to Rami Jaffee, he also mentioned putting the Tramp Revue on tour. You guys totally need to do that. The rest of the world NEEDS a chance to be a part of that kind of unbridled joy!
Speaking of Tramp and unbridled joy ... When do you think we'll have Greatest Hits, Vol. 2? And will it be similar to Vol. 1?
'Planning on releasing it sometime late summer. Hopefully it will be as good as Vol. 1, or better.

I'm sure Vol. 2 will be great! I really look forward to hearing it! My understanding is that I can also look forward to some other stuff you've been working on. 'Care to share?
I did some production work with Minibar on their new album. I also just completed producing an album for Minnie Driver. That was a great experience. She's an amazing singer/songwriter, and I think people are going to be very surprised by her album.

Minibar is a phenomenal and well-respected band in the Los Angeles music scene. They were also on Vol. 1, so I'm not surprised you've been working with them. But how in the world did you discover Minnie Driver as a singer/songwriter, and how did the two of you decide to work together?
We've known each other for a while through mutual friends. She came over to my house and played me a bunch of songs on an acoustic guitar, and I was taken by her voice and the songwriting. We then spent the next year working on it in our spare time. We're very happy with the results. 'Hope the record will come out later this year.

Are there any other cool things you've gotten to do recently?
I play guitar with Pete Yorn occasionally. The last show we did together was a post Grammy's party at the theatre at Madison Square Garden, opening for Coldplay, which was a total blast!

That had to be a blast and a half! I cannot even begin to imagine how cool that was!
With everything you do in the music industry, I think it's also noteworthy to mention that "Doc" is not just your nickname. Are you still practicing medecine? If so, what is your area of practice, and how do you manage being a doctor in addition to being a singer/songwriter and a producer?
I practice medecine part-time in the ER. I don't sleep a whole lot.

Doc, you completely amaze me! Although I have to say ... having gotten to know you the way I have over the past few months, I'm not surprised that you bridge the worlds of medecine and music. One heals the body while the other soothes and uplifts the soul! You have an incredible heart and a great spirit, which makes you just the right person to do both!
Thank you sooo much for working with me to do such an extensive interview. I'm THRILLED you made time to do this. You're the best! : )
My pleasure!

To learn more about Marc Dauer, Trampoline Records, and Jukebox Junkies, check out the links below:

jukeboxjunkies.com - the official Jukebox Junkies website
chooseyourfix.com - the Jukebox Junkies fan-site
trampolinerecords.com