Venice Beach Dub Club is dropping their second full-length album this summer, and it’s not playing by the rules. VBDC II: Time Marches On, which ccomes out July 11, blends reggae with everything from punk and blues to electronic and even a little country. It’s raw, thoughtful, and not afraid to take a few risks, exactly what fans have come to expect from this LA-based band that’s never fit neatly into any one box.
The group is led by singer and songwriter Seth Caro, whose lyrics hit with the kind of weight that comes from real lived experience. He’s not rushing to meet trends or chasing viral moments, he’s writing songs the way some people write journals: slowly, honestly, and when the timing feels right. This time around, he teamed up once again with longtime collaborators Gary “Big G” Larason on guitar and production, and Benji Hamlin on bass. The three of them have clearly put a lot into this project, it’s tight, it’s emotional, and it’s not afraid to stretch.
“We didn’t set out to sound like anyone else,” Caro says. “These songs came from taking time to think, to question, to evolve.”
Venice Beach Dub Club singer and songwriter Seth Caro
The first two singles are already out, and they couldn’t be more different. “Stay Cool” feels like it was made for long summer drives and open windows, a chill, dancehall-inspired track that’s basically sunscreen for your ears.
Then there’s “Find Out,” which flips the vibe completely. It brings in a guest verse from underground hip-hop legend Dizzy Dustin of Ugly Duckling, and somehow merges laid-back rhythm with punchy lyricism. It shouldn’t work, but it totally does.
And those are just two of the voices on the album. This thing is packed with guest appearances, from Marlon Asher and The Simpkin Project to Keith Murray, Konker Spliff, and Chicano Rock. Every feature brings a new layer to the mix, making Time Marches On feel more like a curated experience than just a playlist of songs. There are even some Daft Punk-style synth textures thrown in, but they don’t overpower anything. If anything, they highlight how fluid and unpredictable this project is.
What holds it all together is the writing. The title track, Time Marches On, is a slow-burn meditation on how small decisions can quietly shape your life. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t beg for attention. It just hits different if you’re the kind of person who’s been through some things and still finds meaning in the mess.
Venice Beach Dub Club members, left to right: Benji Hamlin, Seth Caro, Gary “Big G” Larason
VBDC’s fans know that side of the band well. They first broke out in 2018 with Jah Rx and built a strong following by refusing to sugarcoat their message. Their 2022 album, which featured the controversial-yet-popular single “Purebloods,” proved they weren’t afraid to say what they really think, musically or otherwise.
“Lyrics matter. Substance matters,” says Caro. “We want every song to stand alone and still say something real.”
VBDC II: Time Marches On will be out everywhere on July 11. Until then, you can catch the music videos for “Stay Cool” and “Find Out” on Instagram @VeniceBeachDubClub, and stream their full catalog on Spotify and YouTube. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just now discovering the band, this album might catch you off guard, in the best way.
Venice Beach Dub Club singer and songwriter Seth Caro
We wanted to dig deeper, so here is our Q &A with Seth Caro of Venice Beach Dub Club
LA’s The Place: You’ve said this album took three years to make. Was there ever a moment you thought it wouldn’t come together, or did you always know it just needed time?
Seth Caro: Oh gosh, there were several such moments! I actually thought I’d be able to get it done pretty fast but there were certain hurdles with featured artists and such. It was serendipitous though, because while I was waiting for problems to be resolved I had extra months to detail and fine tune everything. Nothing is ever really “done,” you’ve just got to release it eventually.
LATP: The new record pulls in so many different sounds: reggae, punk, hip-hop, electronic. Did that happen naturally, or were you intentionally trying to break out of the box?
SC: Well to be honest, Reggae was the last genre I got into. I grew up playing rock, alternative and punk, then I got heavy into hip-hop and later all kinds of electronic music. So you could say it came naturally but it was an intentional choice to break down boring and ubiquitous genre tropes. I also wanted to work with artists I love and revere, regardless of their affiliation with Reggae.
This album features incredible artists such as Marlon Asher, Keith Murray, The Simpkin Project, Dizzy Dustin, Chicano Rock and Konker Spliff, VBDC II is a true genre-dissolving labor of love. Free and untethered to conventions or trends, our sophomore offering is more expansive and more detailed than its predecessors, without losing the heart and soul of the VBDC sound.
LATP: Let’s talk about “Stay Cool.” It feels like a summer anthem. Was that vibe intentional, or did it just show up during the writing process?
SC: As soon as the hook for “Stay Cool” popped into my head, I picked up my guitar and realized it worked well over minor 7th chords (which are very summery feeling.) I knew from the get-go it was a summer song and potentially a crossover pop song as well. If a song feels like pop, I’ll really lean into that.
LATP: You brought in Dizzy Dustin on “Find Out,” which is a pretty unexpected collab. What made you reach out to him, and how did that track come together?
SC: Dizzy and I were actually working at DiPiazzas in Long Beach together when I came up with “Find Out.” The song had a club banger feel and I knew right away it needed an old school rapper on it. I offered it to Dizzy and came back a day later with his verses done and they were perfect! It added a real storytelling element to the song which made it a lot more fun to sing along with. We eventually shot parts of the “Find Out” music video in Dipiazzas, so it all came full circle.
LATP: The lyrics on this album feel really lived-in, like they came from experience more than concept. Is there one song that came from a personal turning point for you?
SC: All of the songs on VBDC II: Time Marches On reflect some wisdom I earned the hard way. If I had to narrow in on one song in particular, I’d pick the title-track, “Time Marches On.” In that song I’m essentially talking to my younger self and telling him that he matters, even if it doesn’t feel that way. If anyone out there is struggling with self-belief, I hope they hear “Time Marches On” and lighten up on themselves.
LATP: You’ve got a pretty unique writing style; you’ve mentioned sitting on verses for months or even years. How do you know when something is finished?
SC: Writing a song is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle but you’ve got to construct all the pieces as you go, and you don’t even know what the final picture is supposed to be. You work on the puzzle when you have some momentum and leave the more nebulous areas until last. One day, you’re able to craft that final puzzle piece and viola, you can see the completed picture. It can be very rewarding!
LATP: Was there a track on VBDC II: Time Marches On that surprised you during the recording process, one that ended up totally different than you first imagined?
SC: There were many tracks that fit that description. On “Change Your Self (ft. The Simpkin Project)” we put together just the bare basics – drums, bass, and chorus vocals – then sent it over to The Simpkin Project to do their magic. What they returned to us was completely unexpected. The guitar and keys they provided on the bridge section in particular reminded me of Jefferson Starship and I thought “OK, this is now an epic 80’s space opera!” We went so far as to record The Long Beach Youth Chorus in Trinity Church, just to put the vibes over the top. The finished product is something way cooler than I could have envisioned on my own.
LATP: There are some heavy themes running through the album– decisions, time, identity. Did those themes shape the songs, or did the songs naturally land there?
SC: I spend a lot of time alone, either reading or reflecting. Philosophy is my addiction, I just love to think things through. I also love reading novels and getting a sense of the universal human condition. Whatever fills your head will be reflected in your writing. Listen to other people’s music all day at your own risk, because you won’t have much to contribute that’s new. In the Reggae scene particularly, people often say “only good vibes” but how is that going to help you deal with reality? Reality is a full spectrum of vibes and I want to sing about all of it.
LATP: You’ve never been afraid to speak your mind, even when it pushes buttons. Has that ever cost you, or do you feel like it’s built a more loyal following?
SC: It’s cost me a lot, but I don’t regret it…it’s just part of my journey. I don’t think I’ve even found my true audience yet. Hopefully this album puts out a signal beacon strong enough to draw the right people in. There are underserved segments of music lovers out there, starving for something substantial right now.
LATP: If someone’s never heard VBDC before, what’s the one song from this album you’d tell them to start with, and why?
SC: Give us a follow on Instagram @VeniceBeachDubClub to see what we’re all about and hear new music drops. As for the one song from the new album to listen to first…I’d say start at the beginning with “Time Marches On.” A proper album isn’t a compilation of unrelated songs, it’s a book told chapter by chapter. You’ve got to start on page one if you want to take the ride!
