Dogs in a Pile: Interview, Tour, and Total Vibe

Dogs in a Pile, an indie jam quintet that is amid a robust summer tour and coming off the November release of their album, Distroid, is on a steady ascent and leveling up in real time. Diffuser sat down with Jeremy Kaplan (keys) and Sam Lucid (bass) to chat about life on tour, music, the Dog Pound, and more. When chatting with Jeremy and Sam, their love for jazz, improvisation, and the jam chemistry is clear, and no doubt the jazz influence is felt in their live shows and in their ability to take their tunes and fans on a cohesive ride that is gaining velocity. Check out the full interview below on the Diffuser Spotlight.

A Closer Look at Dogs in a Pile

Dogs in a Pile is a 5-piece indie jamband based out of Asbury Park, a staple in the art and music scene at the Jersey Shore. The genesis of the band started when guitarist Jimmy Law and drummer Joey Babick played together in their youth, and the band really came together in 2019, when the two linked up with Berklee College of Music students/grads Sam Lucid (bass), Jeremy Kaplan (keys), and Brian Murray (guitar). Dogs are known for high-energy live shows and improvisational skill; they have built an ever-expanding Northeast following, including super fans known as the "Dog Pound."

Jimmy Law, from Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ, has influences that range from Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead to Alice in Chains and The Allman Brothers Band, and that shines through in his live performances. Jimmy has kinetic energy. Drummer Joey Babick, also from the Jersey Shore, has a unique style influenced by Buddy Guy, Billy Kreutzman, and Peter Erskine, and holds down the groove. Jeremy Kaplan, with Berklee College of Music and extensive jazz roots, has a love and influence of Frank Zappa and Bill Evans. Brian Murray, guitarist and vocalist with Berklee roots, adds a diverse range of influences such as Chet Atkins and Bob Weir, and creates guitar magic, vocals, and songwriting that shine bright. Sam Lucid, bassist, vocalist, and Berklee jazz theory graduate, clearly influenced by Jaco Pastorius, Steely Dan, and Phish, lives deep in the pocket and holds the grooves together. This 5-piece unit is firing on all cylinders, clearly symbiotic and communicating fluently.

Having seen Dogs a handful of times at gigs such as Mt. Jam, the legendary Capitol Theatre, and the Levitt Pavilion, simply put, Jimmy Law rips on the guitar and has contagious energy, and Brian Murray's guitar and vocals create an incredible dynamic between Law and himself. I have been blown away by Jeremy Kaplan's diverse range of sounds on the keys and powerful solos. The bass and drums are both staples of the band, and Sam’s grooves are so deep. What a complete project, and I'm eager to continue witnessing their ascencion.  The band plays more than 100 gigs in a year, so the time is now to see what the Dog Pound has known since the early days.  Check out all tour dates here.