ATLANTA, GA – Just one day after releasing their debut full-length album, Setting Sun, Brooklyn-based indie rock outfit DD Island brought their tour to The Earl in Atlanta on Saturday, July 11. Before taking the stage, No Flash Needed contributor Bailey Plymel caught up with Brandon Rhodes, Zach Litchman, Andrew Stader, and Jeremy Batt to talk about the new record, how the band has evolved over the past three years, and what they hope fans take away from both Setting Sun and their live performances.
Originally started by songwriter and producer Brandon Rhodes as a solo recording project, DD Island has transformed into a fully collaborative band. Alongside bassist Andrew Stader, guitarist Jeremy Batt, and drummer Zach Litchman, the group has spent years refining a sound that blends Americana, indie rock, and psychedelic influences into something uniquely their own. Their debut album, Setting Sun, represents the culmination of that journey.
Interview
Bailey Plymel: You’re here in Atlanta at The Earl just one day after releasing Setting Sun. What brings you here tonight?
Brandon Rhodes: We’re here to play some music off our new record, and maybe some stuff that’s not on the new record too.
Bailey Plymel: If someone is listening to Setting Sun for the first time, where should they start?
Zach Litchman: I’d say start with the first track. We spent a lot of time arranging the songs in a specific order, and we hope people experience the record the way we intended.
Andrew Stader: “Anne’s” is probably a close second. It has a “She’s So Heavy” style jam at the end.
Brandon Rhodes: We thought a lot about the sequencing. We made it like a vinyl record, even though we don’t have vinyl… yet. We do have tapes, though, so that’s pretty cool.
Their debut album, Setting Sun, represents the culmination of that journey.
Bailey Plymel: Can everyone introduce themselves?
Brandon Rhodes: I’m Brandon. I play guitar, write the songs, and produce the records.
Zach Litchman: I’m Zach. I play drums… and I guess a few other things too.
Andrew Stader: I’m Andrew. I play bass and sing.
Jeremy Batt: I’m Jeremy. I play guitar and lap steel.
Bailey Plymel: What does Setting Sun mean to you as a band?
Brandon Rhodes: It means a lot. We’ve been together as this lineup for about three years. DD Island started almost a decade ago when I was making demos in my bedroom after dropping out of college, but this feels like our debut as a real band. Everyone here is a songwriter, and everybody brought their own voice to these songs. That’s what makes this record special.
Bailey Plymel: What’s next after Atlanta?
Brandon Rhodes: We’re headed to Knoxville for a day off, then Cincinnati, Chicago, and a whole lot more after that.
Bailey Plymel: What do you hope fans take away after hearing the album or seeing a DD Island show?
Andrew Stader: We’ve spent a lot of time on the road with these songs. Playing them every night helped us figure out what they were supposed to become, and that’s been a long process of growing together.
Jeremy Batt: When we released our EP a couple of years ago, we already knew it wasn’t quite the sound we wanted. We’ve spent the last two years finding that sound, and Setting Sun is the result of that work.
Zach Litchman: I hope people leave inspired to make music themselves. You don’t need a huge budget or fancy gear. Find people you enjoy creating with and just make music because it’s fun. I also hope listeners discover some of the artists that inspire us.
Bailey Plymel: Speaking of that, who are some of your biggest influences?
Zach Litchman: The Beatles are a big one. I also pull from outsider folk rock, soft rock, and a lot of ’60s and ’70s psychedelic music. Brandon and I really connected over our love of psych rock. We’re all also huge Wilco fans.
Brandon Rhodes: Someone recently compared us to Sam Evian, and that was really flattering. His production style is definitely something we’ve looked to for inspiration.
Bailey Plymel: Where can fans keep up with DD Island?
Brandon Rhodes: You can find us at ddisland.net, follow us on Instagram at @dd.island, stream us wherever you listen to music, and come see us at a show. If you buy a tape, we’d really appreciate it.
With Setting Sun now out in the world, DD Island is stepping into its next chapter with confidence. Their performance at The Earl reflected the same collaborative spirit they described during the interview, making it clear that the band’s evolution is far from over.
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Live photography by Bailey Plymel for No Flash Needed. © 2026 No Flash Needed. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without written permission.
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