Forgoing the standard line up of guitar-bass-drums is Madison based trio Mike Droho & The Compass Rose, instead bringing to the stage a guitar, violin, and beat boxer. Though most of the groups tracks are rooted in the acoustic styling of formerly solo artist Mike Droho, it’s the added elements of a classically trained violinist and human beat machine that are taking the pop genre and throwing it for a loop.
Formed roughly three years ago, the band has seen some comings and goings in the form of drummers, cellists, bassists and guitarists, but maintained the constants of front man Droho, Anthony Lamarr A.K.A The Soundshaker, and violinist Ida Jo.
With this line up of talent Mike Droho & The Compass Rose has seen victories in the form of being named 2008’s Best Band in Madison by Z104, winning the 2009 Project M Songwriting Competition, and recently playing a spot at 2010’s South by Southwest. With a live album in the works, plans for a national tour this fall, and a busy tour schedule going on right now, its evident that this a group that is hard at work getting their music out there. The most recent musical offering by Droho is the third full length from the project, And The World Makes Sense Again, put out by Worthwhile Records. 
Broken down between a prelude, intermezzo, and coda, And The World Makes Sense Again is a prime example of the attempt at restructuring pop that Mike Droho & The Compass Rose is all about. The first few tracks of this release are firmly planted on the side of pop, delivering harmonic croons, tremulous builds and lyrics about heartache, disappointment, and doubt. It’s in “Back on Top” that we get our first real taste of the funk and hip-hop infused brand of pop that lends Mike Droho to comparisons of Jason Mraz and Citizen Cope. The playful banter between the band in this song borders on cheesy as a conversation about “something missing” and “getting a little funk in here” takes place, but over all this first moment of urban folk is pretty satisfying. “What Good is Your Love” reminded us of something from G. Love and the Special Sauce, and points have to be given to the funk embedded guitar solo mid-song.
Another divergence in style takes place with the folksier “Jesus Louise” whose cute, simple line of, “There’s nothing that I want more/than what it is that I have with you” is hooky and impossible to forget once it’s infiltrated your mind. “Said and Done” offers a pretty piano led track, but the slow paced number seems to be lacking a certain x-factor to pull us in, despite Droho’s best belting efforts. Same goes for “So Good to Fall in Love”, which, while catchy and full of lovely male-female harmonies, falls flat with over used love song lyrics about calling late, climbing through windows, and whispering.
And The World Makes Sense Again bounces back with “Restoration” and “It Was Not Me” whose rock-pop style and choruses have potential to be Top 40 favorites. It was a relief to come to these tracks after hearing the somewhat disappointing “What Holds You Down”, who found itself just steps away from crossing into the hit territory before tripping over its clubby breakdown and chintzy digital flute sounds.
While something about this recording seems a little bland, despite all the intricacies and unique twists Droho’s songwriting takes, its in videos of the bands live recordings that we see the “wow factor” all the awards and fan backing insinuates. Maybe some production tweaks will let that jen ne sais quai come out in future releases, but for now the disc at hand still gets by for being a unique take on pop.
Singer/songwriter Mike Droho recently talked shop with us about his biggest influences, favorite locals, and the future plans for him and The Compass Rose.
Reviewsic: How did you get your personal start in music?
Mike Droho: I personally started writing songs in my parent’s basement and just naturally set up a show at a café, promoted it to my friends, the rest is history. That was 10 years ago! A big break for me came when I met three other men at the University of Wisconsin, and we formed a band called “The Profits.” I learned almost everything I know about the biz and also met so many important people through that venture.
Reviewsic: What are your top three musical influences?
Mike Droho: I write songs almost everyday, so what I’m writing is often influenced by what I’ve been listening to in the recent future. If we went through my records I could tell you what I was listening to or what I was really into “that year, etc.” But staples for me have always been Ryan Adams, Bill Withers, Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s, despite their influence not being so blatantly obvious.
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Mike Droho: I’d love to be a “good” drummer, not just a hack!
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Mike Droho: Dr. Dre – Chronic 2001 – What’s the Difference (feat Xzibit & Eminem), Brandi Carlile – I was made for you, Alexi Murdock – Orange Sky.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician,label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Mike Droho: So many great producers and musicians out there! I’d love to support Jason Mraz on a tour while recording with producer, Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) That would be a good summer. I think our music would match up with Mraz, and with Brion we could make us a historic record. Two of my favorites.
Reviewsic: What is the best show you’ve ever been to?
Mike Droho: I’ve seen Coldplay at The Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, pretty small room for how big they’ve gotten. At the time, I was really into the Rush of Blood to the Head album, so to me it was pretty rad.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Mike Droho: New Kentucky Quarter, Corey Hart, and Random Lama
Reviewsic: Tell us about And the World Makes Sense Again- is there any particular creative direction to the album? What goes into your writing process as a band?
Mike Droho: We actually don’t really write too much as a group. That doesn’t mean that the role of the beat box and violin aren’t vital to our sound, they just aren’t integral in the writing process. I usually arrange the songs on guitar or piano, then bring them to the band. The album consisted of me writing about 20 songs and then meeting with a producer to shape the 12-14 songs we thought were the best. We wanted to make a record that sounded like us, sounded great, and was commercially viable.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point in your careers as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Mike Droho: We’ve been together for about three years, but we’ve still all grown as musicians and songwriters. I’m playing piano a lot more than I ever did, and feel as if my ear for complementary part writing has come a long ways.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite venues to play?
Mike Droho: We love The Majestic Theatre in Madison, WI and The Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN.
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Mike Droho: I’ve endured a terrible drawn out band breakup that was pretty emotionally draining and amazingly introspective before this particular band formed. But recently I was in Columbus, OH with the
Soundshaker and a friend with no money for like 3 days. We made just enough the last night to make it home on fumes!! That was terrible yet great. I’ve never quite felt like such a rockstar as I did last spring playing for the University of Dayton, OH in Dayton Beach Florida- about 2,000 kids, huge stage and sound system. We killed the show, and I was on a high for about a week! We’re playing there again May 6th!
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would you choose?
Mike Droho: Coldplay, Justin Timberlake, Beatles
Reviewsic: What are three words you’d use to describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Mike Droho: Beats – Strings – Voices
Reviewsic: If you were to put out an album of strictly covers, what are some of the songs we’d find in the track listing?
Mike Droho:
Mary – Lou Barlow
Forty six and two – Tool
Bulls on Parade – Rage Against the Machine
Sunrise – Norah Jones
God Of Wine – Third Eye Blind
Damien Rice – Delicate
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Mike Droho: Continue to tour and really conquer the markets we’ve been working on. We’d like to release a live album, possibly another full length. Possibly attain some licensing deals so we can spend more time writing. But we certain plan on being busy!
Tags: Album Review, Interview, New Music, Video
