Why you should be concerned about Dove Armitage’s new EP ‘Concernless’

Dove Armitage, the alias of multi-disciplinary artist Quincy Larson, is picking up the pieces from former projects and breathing life into a new persona and EP called Concernless. After playing synth for WILLOW and Yves Tumor’s “Perfectly Not Close To Me” to working as a bassist for the Death Valley Girls and British sensation Yungblud, Dove is spreading her wings and flying into new territory with her upcoming EP. On Concernless, Dove is anything but, as she takes charge of her latest project with influences from Aphex Twin, Two Fingers, Enya, and Imogen Heap. 

Her ethereal and haunting vocals soar over the six tracks in her new EP that harkens to her days in both a post-punk band and an avant-garde indie rock band, while mixing elements of synth-rock and pop hooks to create a sound uniquely her own. Songs like “Brittle” and “It Won’t Die” pay homage to the music she grew up listening to, while taking a brave step into her own vision. With the release of her latest single, “Sex on Display,” INTO asked Dove five quick questions about her new project and what queer culture needs more of (Spoiler alert: it’s Dove).

You worked with a variety of artists, including WILLOW, Yungblud, and Death Valley Girls, on their music. What have you learned through collaborating with other artists that you’ve applied to your new EP?

Working with other artists challenges you to understand different ways of approaching music and art. This practice broadened my vocabulary with music making as a whole and made me fall in love with making songs even beyond my own work.  To be able to work with others and collaborate is such a gift and absolute joy! I definitely would not have been able to pull off some of the production elements in my EP, if it weren’t for learning from the amazing artists I’ve been able to work with. 

What would a dream musical collaboration look like for you? 

Oh my, Harold Budd is the absolute dream. However that can’t happen in this earthly realm as he passed away a few years ago… I would absolutely lose my mind if I got to work with Slipknot. The list of dream collaborators can be seen from space, but Slipknot would be so rouge and iconic. 

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A post shared by Quincy Larsen (@dovearmitage)

You’ve expressed yourself creatively through instrumental work. With your EP, your voice is the central instrument. In what ways did this project stretch you as an artist? 

I definitely combined elements of all my creative endeavors and that was a challenge! Especially the pop element. Ever since I was a child, I was practicing speaking through synths and instrumental music. I taught myself to play keyboard by learning the Ocarina of Time soundtrack, literally having the keyboard next to me while playing the game. Even when I was in punk and hardcore bands I was making ambient music, so that part came easily. I decided, moving forward, I didn’t want to limit myself to one influence. Approaching music in a “genre-less” sense is sensational and liberating. 

What do you think queer pop culture needs more of now?

Just more in general! Seeing so much queer art is so inspiring, the more we make of it, the more younger generations keep making more [of it].

Lastly, what’s something that feels gay, but isn’t gay?

When you shake a magic 8 ball and the answer reads “Don’t count on it.” 

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A post shared by Quincy Larsen (@dovearmitage)

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