[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