D.C. grunge-gaze: The eclectic sound of Dorinda
by Jasper Parks
27-year-old multi-instrumentalist Reid Williams has been steeped in the DMV music scene since his first high school band. His most recent project, Dorinda, reflects a more introspective shift in direction.
Williams named the project after his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and aphasia. Dorinda released their debut EP, "Time,” in 2023.
Williams turned to music at the time of his mother’s diagnosis as an outlet for self expression, feeling moved to write songs for her. “I wanted it to be somewhat inspired by the music that my mom would like. She likes a lot of 2000s like soft rock and just like anything you would like here on the radio in the early 2000s.”
Williams formed the band with his longtime collaborator, Ian Donaldson. Donaldson plays keys in Dorinda, but the two have worked together since their first jam sessions at 15 years old.
According to Donaldson, their ability to cooperate around a vision is essential to the band.
“Dorinda’s definitely had a rotating cast, but at the end of the day it’s Reid’s band," Donaldson said. "We have an alignment in our taste... Bands really need that kind of fluidity to get off the ground.”
Williams agrees that their experience and shared taste has helped them develop their style. “Ian and I both like sugary pop music and it brings me peace to think that our melody writing is kind of like what separates us from the many people who are doing grungy shoegazey stuff right now.”
Williams and Donaldson's work with multiple projects have spanned rock, R&B, hip-hop and jazz fusion. According to Williams this variety is precisely what makes the DMV a great place for young musicians. “I've always liked the diversity of the DMV and all that can yield. There's literally so many different types of people here and therefore different types of music. If you're gonna genre-mash anywhere, it feels like the DMV is a great place to do that.”
Alternatively, Williams believes the band is at a crossroads. “Dorinda is changing right now. The music that you can listen to on the internet doesn't exactly align with what we sound like now.”
While the sound of their first EP leaned in an R&B direction, Williams says they are pivoting toward heavier production in their next release. He says their next tape is their most collaborative effort.
“The current lineup we have is stacked with people who are very good at their instrument, but also have a lot of experience with songwriting, and are always down to serve the song. Right now is the most like a band we’ve ever been,” said Williams.
Williams, who also plays bass in the band Spring Silver, said the group raised the ambition of his writing. He feels inspired by their “uncompromising” compositional style and unique arrangements. “Everything is very progressive with different time signatures, and it's pretty heavy. They know what they want and I feel like they're always, you know, trying to make some stuff that doesn't sound like anything else.”
Williams noted that maintaining a clear objective for a project can be what keeps the band from self-destruction, having set creative expectations early on with Dorinda that he was not willing to sacrifice. “There were sometimes creative differences, but I'm very glad that I was able to have artistic boundaries that kept us moving forward.”
In addition to their next project’s writing, Donaldson said the quality of their production has increased. “Its hard to find a producer who can get in touch with your vision for a song and then translate that into a final product. Our producer really connected with what we wanted.” Williams and Donaldson both credit the sonic continuity of their upcoming tape to their producer, Ryland Heagy.
Donaldson says attaining a desired sound is heavily dependent on one’s ability to articulate their idea and the producer’s skill level. “Usually you record with somebody, they mix it, and then you get it back, and you're like, ‘Oh, I guess we could sound like this,’ but Ryland is really sick at producing. I think he sort of helped us polish our sound.”
Donaldson and Williams are thrilled to have the album finished soon.
“This will be the first time Ian and I release an album after making music together for 10 plus years,” Williams said. They anticipate it will be available on streaming in August.