Colby Dix’ debut album i am. it is. you should be. is available now. 11 songs meticulously crafted into a powerfully emotive debut album that sounds like driving in a snowstorm, iaiiysb is a deeply layered alt-folk indie masterpiece that ranges from melodic harmonies to all out feedback when necessary. A bold stroke and an addictive sound.
“iaiiysb is a strong debut that often borders on brilliance and reveals an overlooked talent.” – Dan Bolles (Seven Days VT)
Growing up in Southern Vermont, Colby Dix became proficient at a number of instruments at an early age but always returned to the guitar as his primary noise machine. His love of music led him to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he received a bachelor’s degree in Music Production & Engineering. From there, many years were spent in recording studios and on the road touring as both a sound engineer and a musician with national artists Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Matt & Kim, Sonia Kitchell, Jazz Mandolin Project, The Breakfast, Touchpants, Soulive, and Spookie Daly Pride.
The road kept bringing him back to Vermont and he remains an active partner at Northern Track Recording Studio in Wilmington with Gary Henry, and regularly travels throughout New England and the greater Northeast performing his music and comedy. More often than not though, you’ll find him performing in and around Mount Snow. His solo performances are highlighted with the use of a device called a ‘looper’ that records phrases of rhythm and music as he plays them live, creating layers of sound well beyond that of a traditional solo performer. His material draws from many genres with particular attention to indie rock and alt-country artists, with plenty of popular melodies, often altered in such a way that you may not initially recognize them as ‘covers’.
Colby’s band ‘Mister Dix’ has fast become the premiere local nightclub act. Made up of Colby, Dan Gullotti on drums, and longtime collaborator Jean Chaine on bass, this power trio can really light up a crowd with a raw, direct sound that is sure to have your body moving. It’s rock and roll and they showcase a very different side of the otherwise calm performances that Colby has become so well know for. While still pulling heavily from indie rock bands, they clearly enjoy tongue-in-cheek rocking renditions of dance pop favorites. They are truly not to be missed.
Touchpants shows yet another, and entirely different side of Colby, utilizing his warped and NSFW brand of foul mouthed humor along with Chris Friday, Aram Bedrosian and Jon Fishman of Phish. They tour only occasionally but have a rabid fan following that allows them to sell out shows wherever they play, be it The Iridium in NYC or Nectar’s in BTV.
