You are here
Dames Brown on the release of Take Me As I Am, their long awaited debut album
Dames Brown mark a defining moment in their career with the release of Take Me As I Am, their long awaited debut album. To reflect on this milestone, the Detroit vocal trio took part in an in depth conversation hosted by DJ and radio presenter Rimarkable as part of this week’s Defected Radio.
The interview explores the roots of the album, the trio’s connection to Detroit, the emotional weight of working with their late mentor Amp Fiddler, and how the project translates from studio to stage.
A debut shaped by Detroit’s musical DNA
Detroit powerhouse vocal trio Dames Brown make their debut with Take Me As I Am, a bold and deeply soulful celebration of the Motor City’s sound. More than a first full length release, the album stands as a tribute to Detroit’s musical heritage and to Amp Fiddler, whose influence played a crucial role in shaping the trio’s artistic path.
“Detroit is the DNA. It’s the architect of who we are.”
Recorded at Amp Fiddler’s legendary home studio, the album captures the essence of Detroit through rich instrumentation, gospel infused harmonies and unfiltered soul. Blending house, funk, techno and 70s groove, Take Me As I Am reflects the city’s spirit in its purest form: timeless, raw and full of life.
Take Me As I Am as a statement of honesty
Throughout the conversation, Dames Brown emphasize that the album is not simply a debut, but a statement of truth and self acceptance.
“This album is about showing up exactly as we are. No filters.”
Rather than chasing trends or expectations, the trio allowed vulnerability and lived experience to guide the creative process. That openness runs through all fourteen tracks, giving the album a sense of cohesion, purpose and emotional clarity.
Read this next: Nicole Moudaber Reveals New Album and Future Plans at ADE 2025 [Exclusive Interview]
Honouring the legacy of Amp Fiddler
One of the most emotional parts of the interview comes as the trio reflect on their relationship with Amp Fiddler and the impact he had on their journey.
“Working with Amp was a gift. His spirit is all over this record.”
Creating the album inside his home studio added a deeper layer of meaning, turning Take Me As I Am into both a personal tribute and a continuation of a musical legacy deeply rooted in Detroit’s history.
Collaboration, community and Detroit connections
The album features collaborations with Detroit icons Andrés, Eddie Fowlkes and Waajeed, reinforcing the city’s long standing culture of collaboration and community.
Tracks such as You’re The One For Me, Glory and What Would You Do highlight the trio’s vocal chemistry and energy, bridging classic soul traditions with contemporary electronic sounds.
Across the album, Athena Johnson, Teresa Marbury and LaRae Starr channel the soul of Motown, the groove of Parliament Funkadelic and the emotional power of Aretha Franklin, merging their influences into a sound that feels both authentic and uplifting.
From the studio to the stage
The conversation also touches on the importance of live performance and how the album fully comes to life on stage.
“When we perform live, it’s a completely different energy. That’s where the music becomes real.”
That connection between recording and performance was recently reinforced with the release of a new DJ set, offering listeners a direct extension of the album’s spirit and energy.
A decade long relationship with Defected
With nearly ten years of releases on Defected and its sub labels, including collaborations with Sophie Lloyd, The Vision, Floorplan and Horse Meat Disco, Dames Brown have steadily built a reputation as one of Detroit’s most dynamic vocal collectives. Take Me As I Am represents a natural evolution of that journey, bringing together years of experience into one fully realised debut album.
Take Me As I Am is more than a debut. It is a declaration of love, legacy and Detroit soul.
Watch the full interview:
Listen to the full DJ set:
Connected with
Dames Brown
https://www.instagram.com/damesbrown1/Defected Records
https://www.instagram.com/defectedrecords/Rimarkable
https://www.instagram.com/iamrimarkable/