Seth Caro of Venice Beach Dub Club: Why The Reggae Scene Is Just Like Politics And Birdwatching

As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Venice Beach.

Venice Beach Dub Club (VBDC for short) is the brainchild of Singer/Songwriter Seth Caro, alongside Producer/Lead Guitarist Gary “Big G” Larason and Producer/Bassist Benji Hamlin. VBDC is real rebel music, with the primary directive of speaking the truth when it counts, at any cost. Sometimes dead serious and other times fun or frivolous, VBDC music always features meticulously crafted lyrics and instrumentation. Drawing inspiration from artists of every genre and style, there is no musical risk that VBDC is not willing to take.

Caro launched the project in 2016 while hosting rooftop Reggae jam sessions in Venice Beach, which is where the “Dub Club” moniker stemmed from. Born and raised in NYC, Seth started making Indie Rock records and playing shows at the age of 15. Eventually feeling out of place in the softening Alt-Indie modern Rock landscape, Seth began writing Reggae music in 2012.

After Caro teamed with Gary “Big G” Larason in 2018, VBDC began releasing single after single, laced with Big G’s lead guitar virtuosity, eventually leading to the 2020 release of the album “VBDC” (featuring RAS-1, Eureka Sound, Philieano, Jah Faith and more.) Big G is one of the most prolific producers in the California Reggae scene, in addition to being a genius guitarist and member of old school SoCal bands Sinizen and Cal1fa.

In 2021, VBDC expanded again to incorporate Benji Hamlin. Benji brought his stylistic basslines and encyclopedic knowledge of world music to the 2022 “Purebloods” EP. Benji is a stalwart of Reggae, having played with many of the biggest artists around, including Bad Brains and Pato Banton.

Currently, Caro, Big G and Benji are hard at work on the second full-length VBDC album, a labor of 3 years, which will feature multiple major artists and a massive range of musical variety. VBDC is all about pushing Reggae music forward and going above and beyond.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I grew up in Washington Heights, NYC. I started drawing and making my own little comic books by Kindergarten. I absolutely hated sports, academics or any form of competition and pretty much just wanted to be left alone to make art. I live somewhere much prettier now but I’m still the same kid who’d rather be making art.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?

My parents were big into classic rock so I was steeped in some of the best music ever made. We’d drive around listening to Neil Young, CSN, Zeppelin, Bruce, The Stones, etc. I always wondered how it was even possible to write such good lyrics. I guess as a kid, you just don’t have the breadth of experience to draw upon when writing. Anyways, after a few decades of interesting choices and unforeseen consequences, I’ve figured it out and now the words come easily.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

Immediately after forming VBDC we stumbled into a weekly residency at a bar right by the Venice Pier. I had just moved to Venice Beach, CA and didn’t plan on become the man around town that quickly! It turned into a big scene with lines out the door every weekend and was eventually shut down due to noise complaints. Can you imagine how much commotion you have to make to bother Venice Locals?

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I’m not sure how funny this is but…wear earplugs kids! You’ll look like a nerd but you won’t go deaf in whichever ear is facing your amp!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Shortly after moving to Venice and starting VBDC, I met Reggae Hall of Fame Member Jah Faith, who happened to be my neighbor. Without overtly teaching me any thing, he set a great example for what a confident and humble man looks like. I started emulating his behaviors whenever I noticed them and I can say that it’s made me a much more chill and pleasant person to be around! So thanks for that and for being a true friend, Faithy!

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

The past three years has been laser focussed on the second VBDC album. I could work on these songs forever and never be “done”, but it’s time to release it. So I’m looking forward to that this summer. What sets me apart is my perfectionism and dedication to the music. I’m doing this because I can, and so I must. Like Hemingway said, “to quit on your potential is to pack up early into the grave.” I’m not sure if the album will be a critical or financial success and that’s not really important to me. Best case scenario: some kid out there listens to it, gets it and thinks to themselves “I think I can do that better.”

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music? How can that potentially affect our culture?

I’m all about diversity of sounds, genres, ideas, lyrics, styles and vibes. When it comes to outward diversity markers such as skin tone, gender or nationality…I just try to treat everyone with the same respect. Right now the Reggae scene is full of bands with representation from every imaginable identity group but the music all sounds cookie-cutter identical. I want to also show diversity in musicality, and I am lucky enough to have some of my favorite artists from different genres featured artists from all different genres on VBDC II.

As a successful musician, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?

I tend to throw dramatic tantrums, being an artist… then I remember I’m addicted to making art so I dust myself off and start again. I am not stoic, I wear my heart on my sleeve and take disappointments really hard. If the music comes together, it’s all worthwhile.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example.

1. If you want to be popular, you’ll have to tolerate the popular people.
2. Everyone is the main character of their own story.
3. Some people’s best is not THE best and you have to learn to work with who you’ve got.
4. Every scene is the same, whether it’s the Reggae scene, politics or birdwatching. Don’t expect otherwise.
5. Always err on the side of humility and compassion. Beef and grudges will drain all your energy.

Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?

Usually I’ll be going for a walk or a drive or just brushing my teeth when a melody or full hook will pop into my head unprompted. I’ll play with it in my head for a couple of hours while making a series of voice notes. Next, I’ll hit the studio and make a sketch of the song, leaving the verses blank. Then, over the next months or years, and work on the verses until they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Lastly, we’ll spend dozens of hours in the studio fleshing out the details. Every song eventually becomes its own fully alive entity, distinct from anything else I’ve done before. I’m a real writer and I’ve earned the right to say that. It is not easy work.

Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?

Music is all I’ve got, so I’ve poured my entire being into it. My family is all gone and I don’t have a lot of friends. I don’t have pets or hobbies. I’m 24/7, 365 obsessed with making the best art I can with the time I have left.

How do you connect with your audience?

I connect with the audience strictly through the songwriting, as it was when I was growing up. Neil Young didn’t have a podcast. He wasn’t constantly updating us with reels on Instagram. He just did his job and did it well. He was Mr. Music. I’m all about the art speaking for itself. Thank goodness I never had to read a blog by Kurt Cobain, I’d have had to work really hard to hear the music the same way ever again. I say let the art do the talking, because all the social media charm (“What’s up fam!”) in the world won’t improve your work.

With your busy schedule, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?

I don’t! I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for a long time. I burnt a lot of bridges too. The music keeps getting better and better though and I am grateful for that. I’m totally at peace with the way things are. All I ever really wanted was to write great songs!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I can’t do that, honestly. I can only work around the edges by exposing people to new ideas through my writing. I learned a while ago that you can’t tell people anything…but if you work the message into a catchy hook, people will sing along instinctively and absorb it through osmosis!

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?

Honestly, that’s a no. If I admire someone it’s for their work. I don’t need a private slice of their life to bolster that. My love for their art would already be maxed out!

How can our readers continue to follow your work online?

Follow me on IG https://www.instagram.com/venicebeachdubclub/ and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VBDC_Music/featured — I don’t update a lot but when I do, it’s something I have worked hard on for a long time. So enjoy that!

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!