FOR THOSE WHO KNOW GRAHAM DUPONT, THEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT HE KEEPS HIMSELF VERY BUSY.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and later finding a creative home in Seattle’s math rock scene, Graham Dupont embodies a fusion of musical influences as diverse as the cities he has called home. As a soon-to-be graduate of Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, he harbors aspirations of pursuing a career in psychiatry, driven by a desire to integrate his musical industriousness with mental healthcare in the United States. On top of that, he has managed to put out some extremely high-quality music this year amidst his professional endeavors.
Blending the intricate melodies of jazz with the raw energy of progressive metal, Graham has been pushing boundaries with his new releases. Inspired by luminaries such as Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, and Chick Corea, Graham embarked on a musical journey. Drawing further inspiration from contemporary icons like Periphery, Plini, Novelists, and Kadinja, Graham found resonance with the cutting-edge soundscapes of the modern metal scene. It was this fusion of influences that ignited Graham’s fascination with Vola guitars, captivated by their craftsmanship and sonic expansiveness.
His latest release, “Dupontcore, Vol. II: Life in Cycles”, just so happens to be recorded exclusively on his Vola OZ RV TNC. From his firsthand account, the ever-versatile instrument covered all the ground he needed to create a diverse yet cohesive array of tones throughout the different songs. The EP opens with “Catapult,” a raw and energetic intersection of communal efforts between Graham and some choice musical guests, including Sean Ashe, Pretty Petty, and Matt Harnett. The second track, “HTBH,” comes hot out of the gate with some heavy Periphery influence, eventually sinking into soaring leads, mind-altering tapping, and even some screaming pinch harmonics. The closer of the collection, “Life in Cycles,” leans into the progressive nature of Dupont’s preferences and quite literally cycles around some wildly catchy riffs. The ending of the song concludes with a bouncy lead riff that will most definitely wind up stuck in your head. We are beyond excited to have Graham included in our artist roster and to experience the connection between his music and our instruments.
