[review] Operators @ the Vogue (8-9-2014)

Operators debut new jams in Indy 

This weekend, I ventured down to Nap Town to see Dan Boeckner’s new rock outfit, Operators, which opened for Future Islands at the Vogue on Saturday night. My road trip playlist consisted of Operator’s fresh EP1, Spoon’s new LP They Want My Soul, and Future Islands’ Singles (it was a rad mix!).

With Divine Fits on hiatus and Britt Daniel / Alex Fischel busy promoting Spoon’s new LP , Boeckner and Sam Brown are taking no breaks. Their new band consists of Boeckner on vocals/synth/guitar, Brown on drums, and Devojka (Macedonian singer/songwriter) on drum machine/synth/blips & boops. Since Operators had only released their 5-song EP a mere four days before the show, I was unsure what to anticipate. Based on their release, I was expecting a synth-driven, post-wave set, but what I heard was slightly different.

Operators kicked off their set with "Ancient", and immediately incited a dance party. Just listening to that track, how can you not want to groove? Songs that I recognized from their EP also included "Start Again", and "True" (which according to Devojka, is "written about sex so good, you think you’re in love"). Devojka's necklace broke during the performance of "True", and afterward she added, "and like good sex, sometimes your jewelry breaks..." The other songs of the night mostly featured Boeckner on guitar, and were definitely leaning more toward the Fugazi/punk influences that he hinted at in earlier interviews. I was slightly disappointed that "Book Of Love" made no appearance, but perhaps this song isn't ready for live shows yet.

While it was clear that the majority of attendees were there for Future Islands, it seemed that Operators wowed some Hoosiers into instant fandom. The energy during the set was at approaching level 11, and the trio authentically appeared to be having fun. Operators also seem to be tinkering with their sound (it’s only their 2nd show on this tour!). Taking a page from Fits band-mate Britt Daniel’s stage dress code, Boeckner donned a suit jacket for most of the show. However, toward the end, his trademark cut-off t-shirt made an appearance. Their quick 40 minute set left me hungering for more, and I’m already eagerly wishing for EP2 (if it exists).

The last song of the night reminded me of punk Springsteen (if such a thing doesn't exist, it does now). It was incredibly catchy, and a perfect send-off. Future Islands were expectedly fantastic, and the pairing of these two bands is an unbelievable gift from the rock gods. Please find a way to see this show if it happens to swing by a city near you.

Buy :: Operators - EP1

Pics :: Kristen Jackley @ NUVO

Operators Tour Dates
8/8 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre w/ Future Islands * 
8/9 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue w/ Future Islands
8/10 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall w/ Future Islands
8/11 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Latitude 44 w/ Future Islands
8/12 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
8/15 - Boise, ID @ Egyptian Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/16 - Portland, OR @ Doug FIr Lounge w/ Future Islands * 
8/18 - Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's w/ Future Islands * 
8/19 - Fresno, CA @ Star Palace w/ Future Islands
8/20 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre w/ Future Islands
8/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre w/ Future Islands * 
8/22 - San Diego, CA @ The Irenic w/ Future Islands * 
8/24 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
8/25 - Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole w/ Future Islands
8/27 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre w/ Future Islands *  
8/28 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room w/ Future Islands
8/29 - Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's w/ Future Islands
8/30 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas
8/31 - Columbus, OH @ The Big Bang w/ Future Islands
9/2 - Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe w/ Future Islands * 
9/3 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom w/ Future Islands
9/4 - Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall w/ Future Islands
9/7 - Toronto, ON @ Horshoe Tavern
9/10 - New York, NY @ Central Park Summerstage w/ Spoon
9/11 - Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead w/ Spoon
9/13 - Hamilton, ON @ Supercrawl / FREE EVENT
10/23 - Halifax, NS @ Halifax Pop Explosion

* = SOLD OUT 

[review] Divine Fits @ Deluxe (10-26-2012)

Divine Fits in Indy

Ever since uprooting from Seattle and relocating to SW Michigan, seeing good live shows has become a bit of a challenge. Not that Chicago or Indianapolis are extremely far away, but it requires a bit more planning when "must see" shows swing through the area. But when I learned that Divine Fits would be playing the Deluxe in Indy on a Friday night, purchasing tickets was a no-brainer.

It had been nearly 8 years since seeing a show in the Circle City. I was happy to experience one of Indy's newer venues: the Deluxe is a nice, intimate stage room which resides inside the Old National Centre (formerly the Murat Theatre). There was a decently-sized crowd in attendance, even with Sleigh Bells playing the Vogue on the same night. Cold Cave kicked off the night with a really great show. Their dark, new-wave sound paired well with the main act's synth-driven catalog.

Readers of this blog will know that my favorite bands tend to revolve around Brit Daniel (Spoon) and Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs). When Spoon covered "Modern World" during their set at The Moore in 2010, I remember saying "It can't get any better than this!" Friday night's show, however, would make me eat those words.

Seeing both Daniel and Boeckner walk out on stage together nearly invoked Worlds Collide Theory. It was so weird... but the feeling was short-lived once the band launched into a very powerful "Neopolitans". The first thing that popped into my mind was that these dudes are professionals. Having only finished recording their debut album a mere 3 months earlier, you would have sworn these guys had been practicing these songs for years. In fact, this was only the band's 23rd live performance! Another surprise was how great drummer Sam Brown's performance was all night. This dude was mesmerizing to watch, and his metronomic mechanics were both meticulous and masterful. Keyboardist Alex Fischel (dubbed by Daniel as "this generation’s Ansel Adams") rounded out the lineup.

Divine Fits played an extremely tight set (setlist posted below), covering nearly every song off their debut album A Thing Called Divine Fits. A few surprise covers were thrown in there, too. Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky", Rolling Stones' "Sway", and the Wipers' "Doom Town" all took on new life as the band added their own elements. Highlights of the night (apart from Tron in attendance) included the Daniel-Boecker duets during "Baby Get Worse" and "The Salton Sea", as well as the one-two encore punch of "Flaggin A Ride" and "For Your Heart".

All in all, this was a damn good show and totally worth the drive. The band has a handful of shows left on the US-leg of their tour before conquering Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia at the beginning of 2013. Be sure to catch them if you can!

Setlist: Divine Fits @ Deluxe (10-26-2012)
Neopolitans
Baby Get Worse
What Gets You Alone
The Salton Sea
Civilian Stripes
My Love Is Real
Doom Town (Wipers)
You Got Lucky (Tom Petty)
Like Ice Cream
What That Not Be Nice
Sway (Rolling Stones)
Shivers (Rowland S. Howard)
Encore:
Flaggin A Ride
For Your Heart

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (9-26-2012)

Dan Boeckner Mix, Vol 2

Back in January, I posted a collection of my favorite Dan Boeckner hits that were available on Spotify. It's been received quite well judging from the traffic to that post; however, now that Divine Fits has released its amazing debut album, that old list feels obsolete. For this week's HDPP, I wanted to update the existing list with some of his new "instant classics" that can be found on A Thing Called Divine Fits.

Stream the playlist below (or by clicking here).

:: Hump Day Power Play (9-26-2012) ::
01 :: "For Your Heart" – Divine Fits
02 :: "Ghost Pressure" – Wolf Parade
03 :: "Shine A Light" – Wolf Parade
04 :: "Legal Tender" – Handsome Furs
05 :: "It's A Curse" – Wolf Parade
06 :: "What Gets You Alone" – Divine Fits
07 :: "Modern World" – Wolf Parade
08 :: "Lousy Pictures" – Wolf Parade
09 :: "Baby Get Worse" – Divine Fits
10 :: "Fine Young Cannibals" – Wolf Parade
11 :: "Thy Will Be Done" – Handsome Furs
12 :: "My Love Is Real" – Divine Fits
13 :: "Language City" – Wolf Parade
14 :: "Repatriated" – Handsome Furs
15 :: "Cannot Get, Started" – Handsome Furs
16 :: "Civilian Stripes" – Divine Fits

:: Get Spotify ::

(photo credit: Melissa Soltis)

[first listen] Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits

Hear Divine Fits' new album right now!

Head over to NPR's First Listen to hear Divine Fits' debut album A Thing Called Divine Fits in it's entirety!!! If you've been living under a rock for the past couple months, Divine Fits is a new musical outfit consisting of Britt Daniel, Dan Boeckner, and Sam Brown.

The second track, "Flaggin A Ride", is sooo catchy. I still need to spin this album a few more times to truly form an opinion, but so far I'd say it's the excellent caliber of music that you'd expect from these very talented musicians.

Click here to visit NPR.

[video] Divine Fits - First Live Concert!

Divine Fits in concert!

Last night, Divine Fits surprised Austin with a secret show, performing under the pseudonym The Hot Skulls at the Continental Club. To the lucky few who either knew about the ruse, or just so happened to be looking for new jams, they were in for a treat. Above you can watch the Britt Daniel-sung "Flaggin A Ride", and if you follow this link (via Stereogum), you can watch two other songs: "My Love Is Real" and the Tom Petty cover "You Got Lucky". Sounds pretty great, can't wait to hear the whole album!

Pre-Order :: Divine Fits :: A Thing Called Divine Fits :: August 28

[cover art] Divine Fits - Divine Fits

Possibly new cover art?

It's definitely iconic.

[first listen] Divine Fits - "My Love Is Real"

Pre-order a copy today!

Divine Fits have just released the first single off their upcoming album, which features the vocals of Dan Boeckner over some synthesized beats and a static-laden drum machine. To be honest, it's definitely not the product I would have expected from the collaboration of Spoon's Britt Daniel and Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs Boeckner. At least from this song, you can really hear the Furs influence.

You can pre-order a 7" of "My Love Is Real" b/w "I Was Born In A Laundromat" (here), and you can stream the single below. Physical copies won't ship out until July 26, but purchasers of the pre-order will instantly receive a digital download of the songs. 

[news] Divine Fits Preview New Song Clip

Things just got a lot more interesting...

After a lot of speculation on my part, we now have our first glimpse at the new supergroup Divine Fits, who just released a little teaser video (above) that samples a small bit of their sound. Adding to the intrigue, there are no guitars to be heard - only piano, synth, and sparse drums. Not the punk-driven sound I was expecting, and it would seem that the trio is heading down paths that Spoon, Wolf Parade, and New Bomb Turks never ventured. I'm thoroughly captivated, to say the least.

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (5-30-2012)

Divine Fits Mix

As mentioned last week, the unthinkable happened when Britt Daniel and Dan Boeckner (along with Sam Brown) announced that they'd been making music together under the moniker Divine Fits. They apparently have a record slated to drop this year (via Merge), and as of yet, there's no word as to what they sound like. I'm guessing something totally different than Spoon, and possibly more like Atlas Strategic? I really have no idea. Nevertheless, I've put together some of my favorite songs from Daniel and Boeckner, which seemed fitting for this week's HDPP.

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (5-30-2012) ::
01 :: "Stoke Their Brains" - Spoon
02 :: "Modern World" - Wolf Parade
03 :: "Paper Tiger" - Spoon
04 :: "Dumb Animals" - Handsome Furs
05 :: "Stay Don't Go" - Spoon
06 :: "Lousy Pictures" - Wolf Parade
07 :: "Change My Life" - Spoon
08 :: "Shine A Light" - Wolf Parade
09 :: "I Saw The Light" - Spoon
10 :: "Evangeline " - Handsome Furs
11 :: "Metal Detektor" - Spoon
12 :: "It's A Curse" - Wolf Parade
13 :: "30 Gallon Tank" - Spoon
14 :: "Thy Will Be Done" - Handsome Furs
15 :: "Finer Feelings" - Spoon

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (5-23-2012)

Handsome Furs Mix

"Thy Will Be Done"... such a fitting first song to this week's Hump Day Power Play, which is meant to pay homage to the Handsome Furs who abruptly announced their disbandment last week. It comes as a total shock, as both Dan Boeckner and Alexie Perry were not only bandmates, but also mates of matrimony. Still no news has surfaced as to whether this is a Wolf Parade-style "indefinite hiatus" or a Sunset Rubdown-style "done for good". Luckily, we already know that Boeckner's music making days are far from over, as he's currently a member of the supergroup Divine Fits, featuring Spoon's Britt Daniel and New Bomb Turks' Sam Brown. Sadly though, it's looking like the Handsome Furs are done for good. Still, we have three amazing LPs to remember them by, and below is my collection of the hits.

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (5-23-2012) ::
01 :: "Thy Will Be Done" - Handsome Furs
02 :: "Dead + Rural" - Handsome Furs
03 :: "What About Us" - Handsome Furs
04 :: "Cannot Get, Started" - Handsome Furs
05 :: "Memories of the Future" - Handsome Furs
06 :: "Evangeline" - Handsome Furs
07 :: "What We Had" - Handsome Furs
08 :: "Repatriated" - Handsome Furs
09 :: "Legal Tender" - Handsome Furs
10 :: "Damage" - Handsome Furs
11 :: "Sing! Captain" - Handsome Furs
12 :: "Cheap Music" - Handsome Furs
13 :: "I'm Confused" - Handsome Furs
14 :: "Talking Hotel Arbat Blues" - Handsome Furs
15 :: "Dumb Animals" - Handsome Furs
16 :: "Nyet Spasiba" - Handsome Furs
17 :: "No Feelings" - Handsome Furs

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

[news] Divine Fits - Britt Daniel + Dan Boeckner!!!

HOLY CRAP!

Could the stars have aligned any better? Is some divine power at work in an attempt to lift my spirits? Just when I was thinking how sad it was that Handsome Furs had dissolved (and it still is really sad), I couldn't possibly have believed that Dan Boeckner's new band (mentioned in this Times Colonist article) would involve joining forces with Britt Daniel (of Spoon) and Sam Brown (of New Bomb Turks). They apparently have a debut album in the works and are set to release it this year! The album was produced by Nick Launay (Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) and will drop via Merge.

Now this isn't the first time Daniel and Boeckner have shared the stage, however. Back in 2010, Boeckner joined Spoon at Radio City for a rendition of "Modern World" and "I Saw the Light". Daniel has also covered "Modern World" at numerous Spoon shows. While these were extremely exciting events, I can't imagine combining these two creative minds for an entire album. Can't wait to hear their sound!

Check out Divine Fits' website and twitter for future updates.

[news] The End of Handsome Furs

Sad news

According to the Handsome Furs site, the band has split... Posted last night, HF had this to say:

With a heavy heart the time has come to let all of you know that Handsome Furs are no more.

The most important thing that needs to be said right now is how extremely grateful we are to all the fans all over the world that showered us with love and support over the years. Thank you for everything! It's been an incredible 6 years and we owe it all to you.

xoxo
HF

At this point it's just speculation on the reasons behind the break up. Hopefully it has nothing to do with the recent health scare that led to the cancellation of their Euro tour. Equally important, I hope this is only a break in the band and not a break in their marriage.

Nonetheless, I wish Dan and Alexie the best, and feel grateful to have experienced their amazing 3 LPs and incredible live shows, as well as their touching CNN documentary IndieAsia.

First the end of Wolf Parade, and now the end of Handsome Furs... truly sad news.

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (1-18-2012)

Dan Boeckner Edition

Last week's Power Play featured a playlist of songs from musicman Spencer Krug. It only seemed fitting to make this week's themed around his colleague and music-mate, Dan Boeckner. The yin to Krug's yang, Boeckner split vocal roles in the band Wolf Parade, offering a contrasting style and sound that allowed WP to explore different soundscapes. Boeckner also made sweet music with his wife Alexie Perry and delivered some incredible work as Handsome Furs. If you really want to delve into his catalog and hear some historical context, you can also check out Boeckner's earliest project Atlas Strategic (unfortunately not on Spotify). I've always thought of Boeckner as more of a rocker compared to Krug. At times, he even reminds me a bit of Springstein (and I mean that as a compliment). So go on and treat yourself to a wonderful Wednesday of Boeckner.

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (1-18-2012) ::
01 :: "It's A Curse" - Wolf Parade
02 :: "Lousy Pictures" - Wolf Parade
03 :: "Ghost Pressure" - Wolf Parade
04 :: "Thy Will Be Done" - Handsome Furs
05 :: "Language City" - Wolf Parade
06 :: "Shine A Light" - Wolf Parade
07 :: "Officer of Hearts" - Handsome Furs
08 :: "Repatriated" - Handsome Furs
09 :: "Cannot Get Started" - Handsome Furs
10 :: "Pobody's Nerfect" - Wolf Parade
11 :: "Modern World" - Wolf Parade
12 :: "Evangeline" - Handsome Furs
13 :: "Fine Young Cannibals" - Wolf Parade
14 :: "Dumb Animals" - Handsome Furs
15 :: "Legal Tender" - Handsome Furs

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

[new music] Handsome Furs - Sound Kapital

New Handsome Furs on June 28!

Handsome Furs have just announced the details of their 3rd LP Sound Kapital! The album will drop via SupPop on June 28, and you can hear the first single "What About Us" above. According to the band's press release, Sound Kapital is the first Handsome Furs album written exclusively on keyboards and drum machine. They go on to explain this decision in rational detail:

This was a conscious decision, made for a few reasons: a) it forced Dan, whose primary instrument is guitar, to find fresh avenues of expression; b) it facilitated writing on the road. The latter concern is especially important. Even with their new analog synthesizers, Handsome Furs can still fit all their gear into a subcompact car—or the saddlebags of a camel. Alexei and Dan have joked about being “closet journalists,” but this is no laughing matter. Being able to work as they travel permits visceral editorializing about their eye-opening adventures. The jittery, electro-hardcore “Damage” incorporates samples of radio broadcasts concerning a Hong Kong hostage situation that was unfolding while the Furs were in the Philippines.

The band will be playing a series of US shows before jetting off across the Atlantic (dates are posted below). Could be interesting to hear some old jams played out on the keys...

Sound Kapital Track Listing
01 When I Get Back
02 Damage
03 Bury Me Standing
04 Memories of the Future
05 Serve the People
06 What About Us
07 Repatriated
08 Cheap Music
09 No Feelings

Handsome Furs Tour Dates
04-13 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
04-14 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House
04-15 – Richmond, VA – Gallery 5
04-16 – Clemson, SC – Clemson University
04-17 – Raleigh, NC – King's Barcade
04-18 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
04-22 – Sofia, Bulgaria – RBF Club – with No Age
04-23 – Skopje, MK – Zdravo Mladi Festival – with No Age
04-26 – Prishtina, Albania – Club 21 *
04-27 – Podgorica, Montenegro – Soul2Soul *
04-28 – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Orlando *
04-29 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – SLOGA
05-03 – Vienna, AT – Flex
05-04 – Bratislava, SK – Dunaj
05-05 – Krakow, PL – Laznia Nowa
05-06 – Warsaw, PL – Warsaw Music Week @ Cafe Kulturalna
05-07 – Wroclaw, PL – Puzzle
05-08 – Prague, CZ – 007
05-09 – Berlin, DE – Westgermany
05-11 – Gent, BE – De Centrale
05-12 – Amsterdam, NL – Bitterzoet
05-13 – Brighton, UK – The Great Escape
05-14 – Cardiff, UK – Buffalo Bar
05-16 – London, UK – Lexington ^
05-17 – Glasgow, UK – Captains Rest
05-19 – Liverpool, UK – Sounds City Festival @ Chapel Club
05-20 – Paris, FR – Le Flèche d’or
05-21 – Bergen, NO – Landmark
05-22 – Oslo,NO – Betong

* – With support from Bernays Propaganda
^ – With support from Hundreds

[news] Dan Boeckner joins Spoon on stage at Radio City

Spoon + Dan Boeckner = Awesome

Spoon played New York's Radio City last night and seem to have brought all their friends. With special appearance by White Rabbits' Stephen Patterson, Fiery Furnaces' Eleanor Friedberger, and Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs' Dan Boeckner, the show sounds like it was really special. While I haven't been able to find a better quality recording of the encore performance of "Modern World," the WP song that Britt Daniel has been known to play at solo shows can be viewed above in the choppy YouTube clip. Boeckner went on to help finish the first encore by lending his guitar skills for "I Saw The Light". A full set list of the night and a nice little review can be read here.

To hear Britt's version of the song, listen below, which was performed at San Fran's Belly Up Tavern.

MP3: Britt Daniel - "Modern World" (Wolf Parade cover)

UPDATE :: A new video of the performance with better sound and video was posted at YouTube, which includes "I Saw The Light" with Boeckner on guitar.