Jessica Dobson was the envy of every 20-something guitarist with a Fender and pedalboard who had dreams of starring in a modish, influential indie band.
Still a teenager, she was signed by Atlantic Records. Before she hit 30, Dobson had played touring gigs with Beck, Conor Oberst and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Then she reached what many would consider a pinnacle, landing a prized spot as a guitarist with The Shins.
It was good -- but it wasn't for her, maybe more importantly, it wasn't hers.
Dobson parted with Atlantic, and after just over a year with The Shins, she left the band in 2013 to concentrate on her own project, Deep Sea Diver.
"It was important to me," she said. "It was the only decision I needed to make. It was a rebellion, getting off a major label and wanting to take some time away. With the release of 'History Speaks,' I gained a lot of confidence, which I really needed. We're all still good friends. I knew I had to devote my time (to Deep Sea Diver)."
"History Speaks" was the project's first full-length release, and allowed Dobson to establish something she could call her own.
"Any artist is going to ask that question, 'Is what I'm doing worth anything of value?' " she said. "I'm sure (The Shins founder) James (Mercer) asks the same question. When it came to leaving that band, if it was purely based on a financial decision, I'd look like an idiot."
Dobson may be digging for change more than she did during her days as a hired gun, but she's not lacking inspiration.
On "Secrets," released last month, Dobson showcases the full depth of her talent.
Ranging from moody rock to urgent guitar riffs and even some '80s homage, the album is uniquely Dobson's.
"A lot of intense work and time went into it," she said. "We went in knowing we wanted to record what we sounded like live. A lot of bands want to do that, but it's difficult. Are you a good enough band to pull it off?"
Deep Sea Diver also gave Dobson a chance to develop as a vocalist.
"I had to find my own voice, get a little more unhinged on it," she said. "I was trying to channel more of a punk spirit on this one."
Dobson was considered somewhat of a prodigy as a teenager, signing on a major label when she was just 19. She initially started playing piano, which she said made for an easy transition to guitar. Her interest in electric guitar geared her toward eclectic rock bands like The Cure and Radiohead, and she also developed an early liking for hip-hop.
"I didn't want to be a girl with an acoustic guitar," she said.
Dobson has counted writers like Flannery O'Connor as influences, and said anything from "textures and sonnets" can lead to inspiration.
"Whatever the fabric of something is going to be, if I can find that, it makes it a lot easier for me to find it and arrange (a song)," she said.
Dobson's chief musical partner is also her husband, drummer Peter Mansen.
The pair met a decade ago in Seattle, when Mansen was working as a barista at Lighthouse Roasters. Mansen had heard an anonymous up-and-coming guitarist was recording in town. Meanwhile, he couldn't help but notice Dobson, who was coming into the store for coffee.
"From a series of what I don't believe are coincidental events, I ended up working at Lighthouse for three weeks at the same time I was recording," Dobson said.
Their musical partnership has ramped up since Dobson made Deep Sea Diver her main musical endeavor. The pair has founded their own record company, High Beam Records. But Dobson said there are occasional pitfalls to being married to a bandmate.
"I'm the only female in the band," she said. "On tour, you have a great show with a person you love, but I'm out with four boys. It turns into roommates more than feeling like being married."
Deep Sea Diver
Hazia opening
When: Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19; doors at 9 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m.
Where: Tap Root Public House
Tickets: $18 each day or $33 for both days at taprootalaska.com