Double Dagger

Double Dagger originally formed in 2002 in Baltimore, Maryland. The main lineup of the band consisted of Dennis Bowen (drums), Nolen Strals (vocals), and Bruce Willen (bass). Through 2011, the band sharpened its knives through hundreds of performances at home and on the road and released several LPs, EPs, and singles on labels including Thrill Jockey Records and Stationary (Heart) Recordings.

Following Double Dagger’s final shows in 2011, Willen went on to form instrumental duo <a href="spotify:artist:1eOmGaF7cvbx9hw6rgBqYO" data-name="Peals">Peals</a> with <a href="spotify:artist:42GP6n8gBV84k61EjXrytb" data-name="William Cashion">William Cashion</a> from <a href="spotify:artist:1WvvwcQx0tj6NdDhZZ2zZz" data-name="Future Islands">Future Islands</a>, and Bowen took on the role of singer and guitarist with his band <a href="spotify:artist:0W7C8L7FRGiwf0GuAh4EPv" data-name="Roomrunner">Roomrunner</a>.

A documentary about Double Dagger and Baltimore underground music scene, titled If We Shout Loud Enough, was released in 2013 alongside the band’s posthumous EP <a href="spotify:album:5iGgDTEVagDef4Y7PRseLN" data-name="333">333</a>. The film, by Gabriel Deloach and Zach Kiefer, played at a number of film festivals and features interviews from Baltimore music luminaries including <a href="spotify:artist:5Z3IWpvwOvoaWodujHw7xh" data-name="Dan Deacon">Dan Deacon</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1WvvwcQx0tj6NdDhZZ2zZz" data-name="Future Islands">Future Islands</a>, and Jenn Wasner of <a href="spotify:artist:5SjNVG3L9mgWQPsfp1sFDB" data-name="Wye Oak">Wye Oak</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1TTfuOdEtj8lin2zR4OWmP" data-name="Flock of Dimes">Flock of Dimes</a>. In 2021, on the 10th anniversary of their last performances, the band announced several reunion shows along with a new digital-format LP of rare and unreleased recordings from 2008.