Damn Tall Buildings
- Jason Young
- Mar 1
- 4 min read
In a world grappling with artificial intelligence and smartphones, the genre-defying Damn Tall Buildings would like to remind us that we are living, breathing human beings.
Both their latest self-produced album (released in October 2025), and its title track, “The Universe Is Hungry”— equipped with joyous harmony and front-porch playing chops — invite us to look beyond the virtual veil.
VIDEO:
“The Universe Is Hungry,” Damn Tall Buildings
Injecting levity into their music, fiddle player Avery Ballotta, bassist/vocalist Sasha Dubyk, and guitarist/banjoist and vocalist Max Capistran (who is Sasha’s husband), sing about a world struggling to catch up with itself.
“We are very sarcastic!” admits Max Capistran, who writes much of the band’s material. “I am a big fan of stand-up comedy; in fact, the whole band is.”
Not surprisingly, Capistran looks to the late John Hartford for inspiration. “Hartford is a huge influence of ours, and we have been vocal about that for a long time,” the songwriter says. “He had a great way of talking about heavy topics while making you smile, and having a little laugh.”
VIDEO:
“Steam Powered Aereoplane" by John Hartford
Driven by humanity
As a 21st century songwriter, Capistran is acutely aware of the dangers of media. “We are surrounded by crises that can feel like a weight pushing down,” he cautions. “It’s the constant knowing all the worst things happening around the world that are always on your cell phone.”
He is convinced that real human interaction can help. “I think a good initiative for everyone is if we would say to ourselves, ‘Ya know, I need to talk to at least one stranger today,’” he observes. “It doesn’t have to be a big conversation -- just a connection. The more that happens in day-to-day life, the better.”
Capistran speaks from experience. “I have these little moments with the band on the road, and as an individual in New York,” shares the Brooklynite, “all these tiny interactions with strangers where [we] make each other smile, whether it’s a cashier in a restaurant or someone on the street. That gives me hope in humanity.”
Though the title track from the new album has a theme that could have been inspired by science fiction, it’s actually driven by humanity. “Whatever is taking hold of us in terms of technology and the internet is a powerful, mysterious thing. I think that is the metaphor behind ‘The Universe is Hungry,’” explains Capistran.
Not all songs, however, have the same message. “There is a thread that ties the album together; I wrote them in a chunk of time,” reveals Capistran, the band’s chief songwriter, whose lyrics on the songs “Simulator” and “Can’t Slow Down” combine with “The Universe Is Hungry.” The project also includes material from other artists, like Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou,” Bill Monroe’s “Big Ball in Brooklyn,” and a cover of an Ethiopian song called “Legesse Abdi.”
VIDEOS:
Damn Tall Buildings, “Big Ball In Brooklyn,” LIVE
The band’s adventures aren’t restricted to music. In September, Damn Tall Buildings wrapped up a thrilling week-long visit to Saudi Arabia, as part of the U.S. State Department’s Cultural Exchange Program. The visit included both performances and workshops. “Learning from each other promotes peace and a better discourse between countries,” shares Capistran. “It is so important, and we feel honored to have been a part of it. It’s something we wanted to do for a long time.”
During a highlight of that tour, Saudi composer Majed Mohammed performed with Damn Tall Buildings at Jeddah arts complex Hayy Jameel. “Collaboration is essential, and it is truly amazing. Experiences like this, where Arabic music connects with other cultures, help share our art with the community and broaden our understanding,” Mohammed told Arab News. “For me as a composer, working with them has been inspiring and has pushed me to explore new creative directions.”
Diverse backgrounds, positive vibes
Tracing Damn Tall Buildings’ roots to Boston’s Newbury Street, where the band did plenty of busking in its early days, Capistran says each member brings something unique to the table.
“Our sound has a lot to do with our different backgrounds,” explains the writer, who says his wife Sasha grew up with jazz and theater. “Her grandmother was a Copacabana dancer, so there was a lot of art and music in her family, including an aunt who played bluegrass.”
And according to Capistran, many fans have no idea that Avery Ballotta is a classically trained violinist. “He’s also a composer, so he has great ideas when it comes to motifs, and he has a very percussive way of playing.” (By the way, fiddle legend Darol Anger was Ballotta’s teacher and mentor at Berklee College of Music, which is also the alma mater of Capistran and Dubyk. No wonder Damn Tall Buildings makes such damn great music!)
Capistran himself grew up listening to blues and rock music. “I thought I was going to be a blues guitar player!” he says. “I also like Bob Dylan and Modest Mouse. I think you can hear a lot of that stuff in my playing and songwriting.”
This is obviously a trio that encourages its listeners to make their own music -- and to seek out plenty of human interaction. About a year and a half ago, Dubyk and Capistran opened the Brooklyn doors of their Crown Heights Music School, which now has 160 students. “It’s been really cool working with people who are trying to connect to music,” Capistran says.
He believes he can explain why Damn Tall Buildings has such a positive vibe. “We started this band as friends,” he offers. “It’s like a relationship; it laid so much groundwork for us.” That groundwork, Capistran says, led to his marriage to Sasha. “The band has its little quarrels and hissing matches,” he laughs, “but we love each other.”
Whatever holds up these Damn Tall Buildings, this is good, solid stuff – damn fine music made by real human beings.
Visit the band online at https://www.damntallbuildings.com.
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