Originating from the Midwest, Dustin McKamie is an American singer/songwriter who has made a living as an artist in the Los Angeles area. Most notably his visual effects can be seen on hit TV shows like Perry Mason, Games of Thrones, and The Walking Dead (to name a few). When he’s not busy killing zombies and making dragons fly, Dustin is busy writing and recording music in the studio.
Dustin is no stranger to the music scene. Recently, he was acknowledged as a winning finalist for the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and International Songwriting Contest. In 2011 he was a winning finalist for a contest put on through Universal Pictures to be placed on the Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Blu-ray. His song was hand-picked by director Edgar Wright and voted to win over the internet.
While the Lumineers’ influence on “California Noise” is quite apparent, I was drawn to the song’s subtle punk edge. In our interview, Dustin lavishes praise on the Midwest emo scene that nourished him.
What are some of your influences?
Most of my musical influences came out of the pseudo “emo” scene (if you will). But I would just define them as “indie.” A band from Lawrence, KS called The Getup Kids had another project called The New Amsterdams which I still listen to this day. I’m from Kansas City and I knew some people in their circle so I might be a little biased but I probably know all the words to their songs. I love bands with a rougher vocal quality like The National, for example. Maybe I should say a more unique vocal quality? Anyways, I have no doubt been influenced by these bands along with those in the indie folk genre like The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic zeros, and Mumford and Sons.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met” is, I believe, the perfect song. It’s the perfect length and doesn’t drag on for structure sake. He says what he needs to say and it’s done in a very effective way. Straight and to the point. When the chorus kicks in with “I had all and then most of you some and now none of you” you really feel it and it invokes a visceral emotion, at least for me. God, I would love to have a song like that.
Explain the title of your song.
The title of my song is “California Noise.” And I guess it’s just that..about all the noise in California (Los Angeles) that can distract you from the things that really matter in life. We’re all chasing this “thing” and the “thing” is not even the answer, if that makes sense? This song is specifically about a relationship and how I left it emotionally for awhile. I’m hoping people can relate to that.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
Oh man. I’m pretty sure one of the first songs I wrote was about run away truck ramps in Colorado, I’m embarrassed to say. My family took a vacation and it was the first time I saw signs for “runaway truck ramps” and I thought…what if a relationship had runaway truck ramps you could use at any time. Anyways, I’m pretty sure it was awful. Gotta start somewhere though, right?
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Wow. I mean, there’s so many. Phoebe Bridgers would be a dream to do a song with. I saw her under the stars in Joshua Tree, California and have been enamored ever since. I love the style of Bon Iver. And, well, I guess Lord Huron, of course.
Dustin McKamie — Instagram