Dave Matthews: Band working on 15 songs for new album, LeRoi's absence 'tough'

Dave Matthews Band has 15 prospective songs for its new album, Dave Matthews tells the Rocky Mountain News in a wide-ranging interview.

Dave describes the songwriting process as very casual, with one band member picking up an instrument and everyone else joining in. Producer Rob Cavallo then picked 15 songs and told the band to refine and record them, which is where DMB left off to start its summer tour. (The band is supposed to go back into the studio in October, but there's been no word if LeRoi Moore's injury will affect that schedule.) Dave said he has been listening to the recorded songs and trying to come up with lyrics during days off from the tour.

On the subject of LeRoi's injury, Dave said the first show without him was "a tough one" and that his absence is a "challenge." Dave didn't say what injuries LeRoi suffered, but he did say "there's the possibility of him being out for a while."

Dave also spoke about Butch Taylor's departure from the band. Dave said, "Butch of his own decision decided he didn't want to be here, wanted to pursue something else in his life. We honor that."

Dave spoke to the Rocky Mountain News in advance of DMB's July 20 performance at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver. The AT&T Blue Room will present a live webcast of the festival.

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Butch Taylor quits Dave Matthews Band

Butch Taylor left Dave Matthews Band today, according to the Official DMB Website. The brief announcement reads:

"Keyboardist Butch Taylor has decided to leave Dave Matthews Band. We are saddened by this sudden news but he has our full support. He’s given so much to us and our audience through the years and he will be missed."

Butch Taylor first played keyboards with DMB on June 5, 1998 and became full-time touring keyboardist in 2001. He also performed on the albums Before These Crowded Streets and Stand Up.

Butch was reportedly in the studio this spring as DMB recorded its next studio album. It remains to be seen whether any of his work there will make it onto the album.

DMB's next album and summer tour will also feature trumpet player Rashawn Ross and guitarist Tim Reynolds. Rashawn has played with the band since 2005. Tim was a frequent DMB guest in the 1990s but stopped after the 1998 tour, which is when Butch started playing with the band.

UPDATE (5/28): The latest AntsMarching.org Podcast reports that Butch decided to leave the band on his own and did so for "personal reasons."

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Tim Reynolds to tour with Dave Matthews Band

Tim Reynolds will join Dave Matthews Band on its 2008 summer tour, the band announced today.

Tim and his electric guitar were DMB concert fixtures throughout the 1990s, but except for one show in 2004, he hasn't played with DMB since 1998. He has also been in the studio, working with the band on its next album.

Also, Butch Taylor and Rashawn Ross will again be touring with DMB, giving the band an eight-man touring ensemble -- its largest ever.

The news about Tim is drawing even more interest to the upcoming tour, which has already promised the debuts of new songs. For a taste of what to expect, here's Tim playing "Recently" with DMB in Albany, N.Y. in 1998:



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