Uncovering the artistry behind 'The Rainbow Wheel of Death' with Dougie Poole.

Dougie Poole, a Brooklyn-based country songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has released his third solo album, 'The Rainbow Wheel of Death.' The album, which was recorded live with a full band in the studio, is a modern take on classic sounds, blending a range of genres and instrumentation. The title of the album is a nod to the pinwheel that appears whenever a computer's application stalls, reflecting the feelings of uncertainty and being stuck in a holding pattern that have permeated the world since the start of the pandemic. Featuring nine original songs, 'The Rainbow Wheel of Death' is a reflection of the current state of the world, with room for everything from old-school synths to modern storytelling. It is an album created by a musician who understands the power of music to both reflect and transcend the world. We caught up with the artist to learn more about the new album.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make? 

My name is Dougie Poole. I’m a musician from New York, but living in Maine. I think of the music I make primarily as country music.

We love your new album, The Rainbow Wheel of Death. Can you tell us how this album come about?

This record came together really quick. I hadn’t written much for a couple years - I got a full time job at an underwear website during the pandemic. But then I cranked out a bunch of tunes really quickly in winter 2021 and recorded them shortly after with my neighbors.  We went down to Katie (Von Schleicher)’s childhood home in the Baltimore suburbs with a bunch of gear and a crew of players and we tracked the bulk of it in a week. 

What inspires your music?

Lyrically, I mostly try to write about ordinary things from my life. It’s important for me to keep things simple and conversational. 

How was working with Wharf Cat Records?

I like working with Wharf Cat! They’re super supportive of me doing my own thing!

Do you have any go-to songs that you like to cover?

Lately we play the “I Never Go Around Mirrors” at almost every show. It’s always fun to throw in a standard, and I think we all get a kick out of the line “I never go around mirrors, cause it tears me up to see a grown man cry”.

Is there a question you’ve always wanted to answer in a magazine that you’re never asked? If so, this is your chance to ask yourself and answer it.

This is a funny question, and while I appreciate the opportunity this presents, I genuinely and truly believe the answer to be: no.

Which one of your songs would you take to your grave with you and why?

I think I’d probably prefer it to be quiet down there. But if I had to, I’d maybe take “Vaping on The Job”. I like the story on that one. It’s nice and self contained.

What advice would you give anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to you?

Work with what you’ve got, and don’t quit your day job!

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you.

Diva by Annie Lennox is a really important record to me, and I still come back to it every once in a while. My mom had the tape in our car growing up. I remember liking some songs more than others, and being excited when it was their turn to come on. By the time I got a discman, I’d spend car rides choosing my own music and listening to it by myself… but this was before all that. When I hear these songs I can feel myself in a kid seat in the back of our old volvo.

What do you hate right now?

I hate when I’m watching TV and I think “I’m going to stop after this episode” and then I check and there’s like 2 minutes and 11 seconds left in the episode.

What do you love right now?

Right now I love honeycrisp apples. I probably eat at least 3-4 a day. There are apple stickers all over my house, on all my clothes. I wake up with them stuck to my body. It’s pandemonium.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

Last tour we had a date get canceled in Eugene, OR. We reached out to some of the bands we were supposed to play with in the local scene though, and they helped us set up a last minute show in a backyard. It was on the tail end of a tour of bars and nightclubs, and it really felt good to play a diy show at someone’s house. The whole show felt like a miracle.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

I recently saw the Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Ensemble playing some cover tunes at a farmers market, and it really blew me away. It’s a group of mostly older folks and they were all in costume. Everybody sings, and everybody plays a ukulele… except for some players with kazoos and hand percussion and stuff. They sang old rock and roll songs like “Bad Moon Rising”, “Monster Mash” - anything with a halloween-y vibe. The sound was incredible - the closest thing I’ve heard live to Phil Spector’s “wall of sound”. 

What comes next in the Dougie Poole story?

We’ve got a US tour coming up this spring, and then are hoping to head to Europe in the fall.

What artists/bands should we be listening to that we’re probably not?

I first heard Labi Siffre at a wedding recently, and I’m loving his stuff. Also, my friend Katie Von Schleicher recently turned me on to Mary Margaret O’Hara, who I love!