Our interview with Dogs In A Pile (DIAP) guitarist Jimmy Law takes us through his musical beginnings, deeply rooted in the vibrant scene of Asbury Park, New Jersey. From picking up a guitar at a young age, influenced by his father's love for the Grateful Dead, to forming bonds with fellow musicians, Jimmy's story proves the power of connection through music. As we explore his early jam sessions, his dynamic relationship with DIAP drummer Joey Babick, and the band's evolution, we also delve into the inspiration drawn from their experiences on the road and the excitement surrounding their upcoming shows and projects. Jimmy shares insights into his artistic journey, the importance of community, and what it means to chase dreams alongside friends in the ever-evolving landscape of the jam band scene.

GW: When was the first time you picked up a guitar?

Jimmy Law: I think I was about three years old. My dad had an acoustic lying around the house, and some Jerry Garcia was playing in the background. He basically just handed it over to me and showed me my first chord, which was E minor.

GW: What was the first song you learned?

Jimmy Law: “Wharf Rat”

GW: You grew up close to Asbury Park, New Jersey. Tell me about growing up in the local music scene.

Jimmy Law: In Asbury, I was introduced to all the musicians around there through my dad. My parents moved to Point Pleasant [NJ] around the same time I picked up the guitar, so I started meeting people in the area. There were so many Deadheads and like-minded folk that it was easy for me to connect. Deadheads are usually such nice and welcoming people, so it was easy to make friends and meet other musicians who influenced me and took me to gigs. It was a domino effect, and I started playing with everyone, which eventually led me to Dogs In A Pile.

GW: Describe your relationship with drummer Joey Babick.

Jimmy Law: Our fathers are still very intertwined in our band now, providing help and inspiration. They grew up in the same town, Toms River, New Jersey. Joe's dad is a bit older than mine, but they knew each other through family back in high school and graduated a few years apart. They started hanging out again around 2010, when I was about 10 and Joey was a few years younger. As they began to reconnect, I would go to Dead shows, like Phil Lesh and Friends, with my dad, and Joey started coming along too. Joey barely spoke for the first couple of years we hung out, but eventually, he showed interest in music and our shared love for the Dead. He picked up some strings and eventually made his way to the drum kit. At that point, me, Joey, and Big Joe – Joe's dad – who has been a musician his entire life with Phil Lesh being his number one influence – would jam together.

GW: What was the musical nature of your early jam sessions with Joe? Take us inside that practice space. What did it sound like?

Jimmy Law: Joey knew a huge repertoire of Dead tunes at a young age – thanks to his dad’s influence on him. We would go into the practice space and start playing songs like "Bird Song," "Eyes of the World," or "Estimated Prophet." We were covering a lot of songs back then, just exploring. We would jam on "Eyes" for 25 minutes, which was really fun for me because I was the only guitarist in the rhythm section. I could play whatever I wanted over Joey, who never wanted to stop. It was my first experience feeling free to express myself musically.

GW: As a huge Deadhead yourself, do you have a favorite year or era of the Dead?

Jimmy Law: My favorite era is probably between 1987 and 1990, right before Brent died, but I also love 1973, 1974, and 1977. Those are all my favorites.

GW: Are there any gigs from your earlier playing years, outside of Dogs In A Pile, that were personal highlights?

Jimmy Law: I was in a band called Mad Kings. I actually had Joey fill in on drums for a couple of Mad Kings gigs, which was fun.

GW: How many shows did you play at The Stone Pony with Mad Kings?

Jimmy Law: We played The Pony a bunch, as well as the Wonder Bar, The Saint, and a lot in New York City, including Rockwood Music Hall. We even did a couple of tours throughout the country. We went south and through the Midwest, which was my first time there. We had one gig in Arkansas where they wouldn’t let us play because we weren't 21.

GW: The Dogs made their Stone Pony Summer Stage debut in May. Describe that moment.

Jimmy Law: That was just special. It felt exactly how I thought it would. It was as rewarding as I could possibly imagine. Honestly, it was picture-perfect; I'll never forget it.

GW: Your parents are massive Deadheads. Did you get a chance to glance over at them during your cover of "Truckin’"?

Jimmy Law: Absolutely. It was hard to concentrate because it was just so cool.

GW: Have you ever asked them what it means to have a son excelling in something they love? If you haven't asked them, how do you think they feel about it?

Jimmy Law: My dad is always speechless after really good nights. He tells me that living this dream is more than he could have ever asked for. Watching him, he’s like a kid in a candy store after shows. It makes me happy because he radiates joy. It goes both ways – we’re both living this dream together that we’ve been working on it my entire life, and it’s rewarding to see some of the payoff. It’s been fun.

GW: A lot of people are curious about this. When you close your eyes during a jam, what “place” do you go to?

Jimmy Law: I think of being up in the rafters. I know Trey [Anastasio] always talked about it. After watching guys like Jerry [Garcia] and Trey, I try to find that space on stage where I can get lost. As the crowd builds, it’s easy to get distracted by friends and people around. But I find that my best moments come when I can focus on a spot diagonal up top. I’m locked in, not on anything specific, just completely in the zone. My facial expressions happen as they do, but I don't really pay attention to them all the time.

GW: You’re an extremely strong blues guitar player among many other styles that you have mastered and continue to master. Do you have any blues guitar heroes?

Jimmy Law: Thank you! When I was in Mad Kings, one of my bandmates opened my world to a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Winter. Through his playing, I absorbed those vibes. We would smoke and listen to Stevie Ray albums together. As I continue to grow, John Mayer has become one of my biggest influences, and I’d place him in my top five guitarists.

GW: How do you think John Mayer's playing style complements what Dead & Company does?

Jimmy Law: I was surprised the first time I saw him with Dead & Co. But right from the start, I felt like it was a match made in heaven. The way he interprets the Grateful Dead is exactly how it should be translated. He does the best job of maintaining his original sound while also paying homage to Jerry [Garcia]. He translates the music as best as he possibly can.

GW: How would you describe your collaborative playing style with fellow band member Brian Murray? How do you communicate with him on stage?

Jimmy Law: Brian has opened me up in a whole new way. His finger-picking style is so unique. I’ve never played with anyone like him. He forces me to simplify my playing because his style is so rich and robust that it needs space to shine. We both learn to hold back and let each other’s best qualities show in the best scenarios. We can fill the same spaces, so it’s about figuring out when to do that.

GW: How does the band’s sound evolve over time? Is it something you actively work on in practice?

Jimmy Law: It’s crazy because there’s so much to consider. As a band, we’re not just creating music; we’re exploring all these other things that reflect our musical qualities. We try to be as natural as possible, and then it’s up to the universe and time to bring out everything happening around us. The connection with the audience is crucial for our growth. It’s like a baby growing into a human; it changes and evolves. It’s not really up to anyone except for our desire to shape it a certain way.

GW: So, you believe that the crowd and the environment absolutely affect the performance of the night?

Jimmy Law: 100%. It’s a two-way street.

GW: Within the last year, the Dogs have hired a full-time lighting designer in AJ Mussachio. Does the light show inspire you to play differently? If so, how?

Jimmy Law: When we're on stage, you don’t really know what’s happening with the light show behind you. The only thing I notice is when I’m in a solo and I can feel that something is about to peak. I can sometimes sense when AJ is about to go somewhere because I see the movement behind me. We can time things together, which is cool. It’s important to watch videos afterward to see what he’s doing. It’s a challenge to understand how people translate that into lights. You have to feel it out. Building a good relationship with AJ and talking to him has been great. I really appreciate him – he’s become one of my best friends. Discussing it with him, as well as hearing what the fans think, enhances the experience. I talk to Manny [Newman] – the Pigeons Playing Ping Pong lighting designer – a lot, who has been a huge influence on AJ. Manny taught him a lot. A few years ago, AJ didn’t know anything about lights; he was just a hungry kid. He’s incredibly smart and driven, and he learned to put everything together in the past three to five years. It’s impressive, and I really believe in him.

GW: He sounds like he’s working towards being a master of his craft. What are some of your favorite electronic shows that you’ve attended?

Jimmy Law: I’m a huge fan of Tipper, Detox Unit, J. Dub, and Resonate. Those are some of my favorites. I also really enjoy hard dubstep. J. Dub puts on one of the most original sets; I think he’s paving the way to become one of the biggest names in his scene. I’m going to an immersion festival in Jersey soon, and Tipper is just an incredible experience. I hope to create some music like that someday in my spare time.

GW: I don’t know much about Tipper. Can you tell me more?

Jimmy Law: Sure! He was at the forefront of this movement, starting in the '90s with a style that blends hip-hop with electronic beats. I don’t have in-depth knowledge of his beginnings, but he’s paved the way for psychedelic EDM music. He’s a master at what he does – he’s like the Grateful Dead of electronic music.

GW: Have you incorporated anything you’ve picked up from these EDM shows into your playing?

Jimmy Law: Definitely. What that music has done for me is open up my rhythmic senses. The sounds are so out there that I’m still trying to figure out how to replicate those sounds live on stage with a guitar. It’s challenging because much of it is done on computers. But the rhythms in that music are so complex and rich that they’ve made me more responsive to drums and bass, and just different elements in general.

GW: I feel like that’s what makes Dogs In A Pile so unique – these conversations have been so different with each one of you because you all have such varied influences.

Jimmy Law: Yeah!

GW: What’s your favorite Dogs In A Pile song to play?

Jimmy Law: I think it’s either "Thomas Duncan, Pt. 3" or "Bent Strange." Those two are definitely my favorites.

GW: Are you ever going to play the whole "Thomas Duncan" suite?

Jimmy Law: We’re definitely going to keep working on it. We’re not sure where it’s going to go yet, but hopefully somewhere really cool. We didn’t plan it out originally. “Thomas Duncan, Pt. 2” was finished first, and then we thought, “why don’t we finish this?”. Hopefully down the line, we’ll have a full suite for everyone.

GW: Is Philly a special place for you? How awesome was it to come out during a Phillies game recently and sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"?

Jimmy Law: I went to school at the University of the Arts in Center City, right on Broad Street in Philly. That was an amazing experience for me. I met a lot of great people, learned how to play jazz, and made many friends. I lived with Ross, our manager, for a while before he was even working for us. I’ve always loved Philly. I got into the EDM scene while I was there. Playing at the Phillies game was so cool!

GW: How did the band come up with the Guitar Hero-themed set for your upcoming Halloween show in Oklahoma City?

Jimmy Law: We always talk about different ideas for themes, and we brought this one up a while ago. It’s cool to think about art in general because, as you create, you’re influenced by your generation and the people around you, including your audience. Guitar Hero was something our age grew up with. I remember playing the first one right after it came out – it felt like the coolest game ever. It connected us to all the great music that our parents loved. Why not? Nobody's ever done it before, so we thought, why not go for it?

GW: You guys have done a couple of residencies over the past few years, which is a unique concept. It feels like it’s given you a chance to connect with the community and get comfortable in a space. Most recently in April, you played four nights each in Los Angeles (CA) and San Diego (CA). Did you have any favorite moments from that run?

Jimmy Law: That was a cool experience. We got to go back and forth between Venice West and Winstons, and I really liked Venice Beach. It’s such a vibrant area with a lot of old-school Deadheads. The Northeast has a similar vibe in the areas where older Deadheads like to migrate. Down in San Diego, it also feels like those '60s vibes are still alive. There’s a loving feeling there, so it was great to be part of it. At the end of the residency, it hit me – wow, we’ve been doing this for four weeks now. We learned a lot and grew as a band because we lived in our Airbnb together for a month. I turned 25 right when we got out there, and personally, a lot of things were changing for me. I started seeing things differently, and it felt like I grew up during that time. Coming back, it just felt like a lot had changed for the better.

GW: I believe you recorded at least a portion of DIAP’s upcoming new album out there. Can you give us a few words about what we can expect from the album based on those sessions?

Jimmy Law: It was an incredible time. We’ve already put out two albums: "Not Your Average Beagle," which was our first batch of songs, and then "Bloom," where we explored a different direction. "Bloom" has a more modern/pop vibe, and we worked with a different producer to gain a new perspective on our tunes. With this new album, we’re returning to what we love – just a very natural selection of songs. There are a couple of tracks we've been wanting to record for a while, and they span different genres. It’s a big fusion of everything we can do.

GW: So, it sounds like this album is, out of the three, the ultimate representation of what Dogs In A Pile is up to this point?

Jimmy Law: That’s exactly how it feels.

GW: We’re excited to hear it when it drops! You’re co-headlining two nights at the Capitol Theatre with Eggy. How does it feel to be on the bill at one of the most respected venues in the country?

Jimmy Law: It feels amazing. All of us in the band have been going to shows there for a long time – we’ve seen a lot of great acts. We’ve always looked at that stage, hoping that one day we’d get the chance to perform there. We’ve been lucky enough to open for some bands at the Cap, and now we get to co-headline with Eggy, who’s been working hard and doing something similar to what we’re doing. It’s cool to share this experience with another band that’s chasing the same dream. We’re both on this journey together, and it strengthens our relationship with them. We get to hang out more and get closer as friends and fellow musicians.

GW: You just went on tour with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Andy Frasco & The U.N., and now you’re sharing the bill with Eggy. How special does it feel to be a part of these moments with your contemporaries?

Jimmy Law: Being with those guys makes you feel less alone in this crazy world of being a musician. It’s a wild life, always on the road, and we’ve grown close with both bands. They give us respect as musicians and it’s an honor coming from them. Guys who have been at it longer – it creates a real sense of brotherhood. We learn so much from them about stage presence and professionalism. We’ve had so many great memories with them.

GW: In your early days as a band, you’ve played some incredible spaces. You have the Cap coming up, which you’ve already played, and you’ve done The Caverns, too. Do you have any bucket list venues left? What’s your dream?

Jimmy Law: After visiting The Sphere, that would be an amazing place to play. We’ve already played so many cool spots, like Mishawaka and others. But Madison Square Garden is the dream. I keep a picture of it on my refrigerator, and I’m aiming high. Why not shoot for the stars?

GW: For New Year’s Eve this year, you’re playing four consecutive nights at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, NY. Do you view a run of this length in the same venue as a challenge for the band?

Jimmy Law: We’ve been discussing how big of a rotation we can manage. I think we can do a six-night rotation with no repeats. It’s a good number to create a cohesive journey for everyone and use all our songs in their best spots. So, I think we’re all up for the challenge!

GW: I’ve asked every other member of the band this, and their answers have all been different and wonderful. What does the Dog Pound mean to you?

Jimmy Law: The Dog Pound is our family. They’ve been with us since the beginning when they were our only audience. We see familiar faces in the crowd, like Jon Maruca, who’s always in the front row. Every time he’s there, it makes us feel like we’re with family across the country. It gives us a confidence boost because these people believe in us. They also spread the word and make new fans feel welcome in the Dog Pound, which is the most important thing we have.

Dogs In A Pile are an eclectic five-piece band hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey. The members include Jimmy Law (guitarist), Brian Murray (guitarist), Sam Lucid (bass), Jeremy Kaplan (keyboardist), and Joe Babick (drums).

Ready to join The Dog Pound? Head over to dogsinapileofficial.com for their latest soundboards, tour dates, setlists, merch, and much more… and stay tuned for the final piece to our Dogs puzzle – Joey’s interview!