Interview: Derek Dames Ohl on His New Christmas Tune, Flash Mountain Flood, and Supporting Local Music in the Covid Era

I love it when interviews come together organically, and this one with Derek Dames Ohl of Flash Mountain Flood did just that. Flash Mountain Flood is an American Roots Rock N’ Roll band out of Boulder - and a mainstay in the genre in the local scene. The band’s members have been doing a lot during quarantine, and Derek Dames Ohl has set out to pursue a solo career in addition to his bass-licks in Flash. Recently, Derek released a new Christmas song, Blue Skies and It’s Christmas Time, with the true essence of Christmas in our beautiful state. He’s donating all of the proceeds from this song on Bandcamp to The DiChiaros, a family experiencing a time of extreme hardship in what should be the most joyful time of the year. I encourage you to go give the song a purchase - you’ll help a family in need and have a beautiful new Christmas song to enjoy. Be sure to follow Derek on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and Flash Mountain Flood on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as well. Enjoy my interview with Derek Dames Ohl - I sure did!

Tell me a little bit about yourself - How long have you been playing music as a musician? How did you first get into playing music?

The spark happened when I was in the 7th grade. Found an old crappy mini guitar in the parents’ attic, dusted it off and played along to songs I’d hear on the radio. Later that week my dad overheard me playing “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” and zipped me off to the nearest music store, “Rob’s Music,” and bought me a legit guitar. I’ve obsessed about music as far back as I can remember, grew up with the classics, and literally fantasized about the life as a working musician.

What inspires you to make the music that you do?

Woof I could write a book about this question, but long story short - Ive always loved the storytelling aspect of music and I’m a sucker for lyrics. How it has the power to take you somewhere you’ve never been, how you can relate to a feeling that you’ve never been able to put into words. For me its been a life long journey of being able to hone the magic of song craft, getting there one song at a time

Tell me about all of the different projects that you’re a part of, including your solo project and Flash Mountain Flood.

I’ve been playing Bass and singing with Flash Mountain Flood since about 2015. We’re a five-piece Rock N’ Roll band formed in Boulder CO, and I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve accomplished over the years. We’ve played along stage with heroes, rocked our hometown theatre, The Fox, in Boulder a dozen times or so, and released a full length album, Speak Of Heaven, that you can stream everywhere and listen to on CD and Vinyl!

Two years back, I set out on my solo journey. I figured that if I was ever gonna make it as a full time musician, I had to work towards it from multiple angles. So, I bought a Taylor acoustic guitar with the goal of paying it off through gigging, and it blew my mind how quick that happened! So I kept it going, and within a year I was lucky enough to play a handful of amazing gigs, including ARISE Music Festival, win a Songwriting contest, and hone my solo act.

What have you accomplished as a musician in 2020 that you’re most proud of?

Well like most, I’ve really dug into the studio life, built my own little space at home, and recorded religiously day in and out. Ended up with handful of originals I liked so much I took em’ into Violet Studios in Boulder and started work on my upcoming solo EP, set to release next year, and featuring a cast of Flash members and heavy hitters in the scene. I also have a dozen or more acoustic John Prine covers featuring some of my best friends, recorded at the beginning of quarantine (safe and socially distant from our homes). One of the songs was released so far and there’s more to come! Just trying to stay busy with gigs far and few between.

Are you from Colorado? How does living in Colorado influence your music?

Born and raised in the mountains outside of Boulder! There’s beauty everywhere as well as a very rich history. Its safe to say that most of my songs were crafted by the bed of a creek, or high up on a mountain, the air is littered with songs if you listen right.

What’s your favorite thing about the Colorado music scene?

There’s a lot of love, it actually feels like we’re all in it together. Nothing worse then seeing ego get the best of people, especially in the music scene and luckily I haven’t seen a lot of that, everyone’s very level headed it seems. Probably all that weed.

If there’s one thing you want people to take away from your music, what is it?

Whatever they want! If it makes you laugh, then laugh. If it makes you cry, ball your eyes out. My songs aren’t meant to change the world, mainly just change your moment.

Tell me about your Christmas song, Blue Skies and It’s Christmas Time. What inspired it? What does it mean to you?

It was one of those songs that came out of nowhere. It was last Christmas Eve, and I was sitting at home drinking beer by the fire. Blue Skies and It’s Christmas Time was literally what I saw out the door so i started with that, and being from CO you get plenty blue sky Holidays. It’s mainly just a song about family and love and my attempt of spreading some cheer in a strange time. My personal favorite verse was for my mom - “Call your mama tell her you love her so, It ain’t enough to just think she knows, Blue Skies and it’s Christmas Time”. All in all just share the love.

The song features friends from Flash Mountain Flood and Tenth Mountain Division. Who is on the song and how did these musicians come to be a part of it?

I sure am a lucky guy to have such talented friends. Campbell Thomas (TMD) warmed the track with his droning Organ, Andrew Cooney (TMD) jingled some bells and helped with the mixing process, and last but not least Kevin D’Angleo (FMF) steered the sleigh and brought us all home with Drums/Percussion. Everything else you hear is me on guitar and vocals. It being Corona, we’ve all begun collaborating from our own home studios, and these guys were nice enough to get back in a bit of a crunch since I love to procrastinate. A few sleepless nights later I was very happy to release.

You’re donating all of the proceeds from this song on Bandcamp to the DiChiaro family. Why is this cause so close to your heart and how will the proceeds help?

Yes, I’m hoping to donate a good sum. I grew up with the DiChiaro’s; We go back all the way to Kindergarten and they’ve been there for me through thick and thin. Proceeds from their GoFund Me help with funeral services, as well as help provide for Julian’s family. These are the kind of people that would go to the moon and back for you, and I’m happy to see the community do the same for them.

Besides purchasing Blue Skies and It’s Christmas Time on Bandcamp, how can people help the DiChiaro family?

You can actually go straight to the source, I have the link in the bio of my Instagram, and you can access it directly here.

Who are your musical role models? Do you look up to any local or non-local musicians? Why?

There’s a lot of hard-working people out there doing crazy cool things. This California label called Curation Records generates a true vintage grit - one band I particularly dig is Pacific Range. They make you feel like you’re cruisin’ Cali in the 70s. I also really respect La Honda Records and their whole catalogue. Most known for the instant talent Colter Wall, they also signed Vincent Neil Emerson, who quickly became one of my new favorites. He’s writing some good, honest Country music. And when it comes to locally, the list is endless - lots of people hustling their asses off in our scene. I wouldn’t even know where to start. As far as role models beyond the present: John Prine, Little Feat, The Band, and The Grateful Dead of course.

What is something you have learned or taken away from 2020 that you’ll apply to the rest of your life?

That you can find some positivity in any situation, no matter how dire, we are meant to adapt! Also, 2020 taught me to breathe, sit back and smell the roses sometimes, make the hustle worth it.

If you could give a piece of advice to musicians just starting out, what would it be?

Its gotta be fun, have the time of your life, book as many gigs as you can, master your craft, and don’t forget to drink water.

What’s your favorite show that you’ve ever played? Why was it so special to you?

It’d have to be the album release show for Flash Mountain Flood a few years back. Hosted by The Fox in Boulder CO, the night was full of electricity - brings chills thinking about it now. We were joined by Extra Gold and Kind Hearted Strangers, who are some amazing local talent, and the room stayed packed ‘til the lights came on. Also, the next day, we got to headline the Boulder Creek Fest at the legendary Bandshell - that always has been a dream.

If you could play your dream show, what would it look like?

Well, at this point, any show is a dream. If I was to choose one, I’d have to say Folsom Field with Flash Mountain Flood

What’s your favorite song to play? Original or cover.

Well as of late, I’ve had a lot of fun playing a song me and my bud Andrew Cooney wrote called My Whole Life Smells Like Weed. Also, my lead single off my upcoming EP titled If Love Stinks is always fun. If love Stinks, then let’s get Stinky.

Who are some of your favorite local Colorado musicians and bands?

Tenth Mountain Division has been doing a lot of really cool, out-there things, including a TV show they released during Covid. My fam Envy Alo is your next favorite Funk powerhouse, if they’re not already that is. Everything happening over at Color Red Studios is awesome, really dig the bluesy roots group out of Denver, Dragondeer, and they have a full length coming out via Color Red. My buds from down south, High Country Hustle, are absolutely crushing, and personally revived my love for Bluegrass. There’s so much more that I’m missing; I could go on and on.

Where can fans catch your solo act or side projects in the coming months?

I would just keep an eye out on our socials for upcoming live stream events, for Flash and my solo project. Waiting for the right moment to strike back with live events, looking forward to 2021!

What’s a great local Colorado business for people to support this holiday season?

Your favorite local restaurant, they need your service now more then ever.

When did Flash Mountain Flood become a band?

Man its hard to trace back exactly I’d say officially around 2014 or 2015.

How long have you been a member of the band? How did it happen that you wound up joining?

I became a member around 2015. They were already a thing, just a little different, and were regularly playing at Denvers classic Grateful Dead bar, Quixote’s. Just so happened they needed a bassist and knew I dabbled. I was ecstatic at the offer and instantly put my sights on making bass more of a primary instrument for me, and was ready to rock n roll.

What do you love most about being in the band?

Just the connection that we have, its telepathic. We’ve been through a lot of crazy shit and came out alright on the other end. As a bassist, I’ve been hired for plenty of pick-up gigs, where you’re subbing in for someone, or playing a one-time cover show, and it’s never quite the same feeling I get playing with my brothers in Flash. Years later, our focus is still true to the music, and I’m happy that we can still meet up in a basement and spend hours jamming feeling that same spark we felt years ago.

What upcoming plans do you have for 2021 as a solo artist and with Flash Mountain Flood?

I have a solo EP that will be coming out sometime 2021 that I’m very excited about - some of the most honest music I’ve ever written. I’ve been recording at Violet Studios in Boulder with help from Chris Wright, who is an absolute genius and a blast to work with. He also produced the debut Flash Album Speak Of Heaven, which came out a few years back. Flash has been brewing up some awesome demos as well, and we’re brainstorming the proper way to start to release this epic catalogue of music we’ve written between us all over the years. We’re staying finely tuned ready for gigs to hopefully start up again soon!

How can people support both the full band and your solo project/side projects during the current shut down?

Any support is huge these days, whether it’s watching YouTube vids or streaming music on the platforms, it all adds up even if it doesn’t seem like much. Bandcamp is a very awesome platform because you can name a price; They also have the Bandcamp Fridays where they don't take a percentage. If you dig someone’s music, share it to the world - we have the power at our fingertips!