The band's fifth album shows influences of the Arizona desert with producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case) to create a compendium of short stories inspired by the varied moments the band experienced since the release of A Mad & Faithful Telling (Anti-, 2007).
Like many bands, DeVotchKa spent much of their early years traveling the highways and byways searching for gigs and a musical direction. As time went on, the band began to foster important musical collaborations with the unequivocal Calexico and the seminal gypsy punks Gogol Bordello. International tours with Gogol and recordings with Calexico have helped spread the band’s sound around the globe.
Originally a backing band for burlesque shows, in their early years DeVotchKa also toured with fetish model Dita von Teese. Numerous nationwide tours in support of self-released records earned the band an underground following. Their song "How It Ends" introduced the band to a wider audience after being featured in the trailer for Everything Is Illuminated, in a Gears of War 2 trailer called "The Last Day", and in an episode of Everwood (Season 4).
Arcade Fire singer Win Butler suggested to DeVotchKa that they cover the Siouxsie and the Banshees song "The Last Beat of My Heart". The musicians found the idea interesting and they recorded that song for the now critically acclaimed Curse Your Little Heart EP. The band did a world tour in support of their previous album, A Mad & Faithful Telling (released March, 2008). The album reached No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 29 on the Top Independent Albums chart.["New World" and "Head Honcho" were featured in a season 4 episode of the Showtime television show Weeds.
DeVotchKa's first big break happened when Nic Harcourt, former music director for KCRW, introduced his listeners to a then unknown rock band of worldly sounds on his daily radio show, "Morning Becomes Eclectic". Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton, who were listening that day, stumbled upon the sound for their movie, "Little Miss Sunshine". A critical and box office hit, the film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and, for DeVotchKa's soundtrack, a Grammy. The little gypsy wedding band from Denver was suddenly known all across the US, playing large venues and major music festivals, including Coachella, Bumbershoot, Lollapalooza, and Mile High Music Festival. After years of toiling in obscurity, the band was selling out shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco and First Avenue in Minneapolis, with breakout performances at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Music Festival. The love spread to Europe, which has become a yearly destination for the band.
"100 Lovers" is the album DeVotchKa had always wanted to make. "How it Ends" was recorded and mixed in only nine days, mainly due to lack of funds. On "A Mad and Faithful Telling,” the band had more time and conducted complex arrangements and experimental recording techniques. For "100 Lovers", DeVotchKa spent over a year defining their sound, taking multiple trips to the desert studio to craft twelve new recordings. The final product is the bands strongest album to date, filled with songs fans will love, songs to draw in new listeners, and exciting numbers that fit nicely into their rousing live sets. Guests on the album include members of Calexico and Mauro Refosco, David Byrne and Thom Yorke’s go-to percussionist. With a full tour lined up for the spring and dates booked all over the world, 2011 is gearing up to be the biggest year for DeVotchKa yet.
DeVotchKa is:
Nick Urata: Vocals, guitars, Theremin, trumpet, piano
Jeanie Schroder: acoustic bass, sousaphone
Shawn King: drums, percussion, trumpet
Tom Hagerman: violin, viola, accordion, piano
Contrabanda
DeVotchKa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You still don't trust me
Some things they will pass
Some things they must be
The troops are deserting
The backwater burning
Throw your boots in the fire
Where where have you gone
My wide eyed Italian love song
When when will I learn
For this we all have been born
Are you with me
Are you still with me
Are you still with me
Or against me
Radio headquarters
We are approaching the border
Hide the contraband
Get your papers in order
Burn all that is useful
That's what we are reduced to
A life lies in repose
It's there if you choose to
Where where have you gone
My wide eyed Italian love song
When when will I learn
For this we all have been born
Are you with me
Are you still with me
Are you still with me
Or against me
Where where have you gone
My wide eyed Italian love song
When when will I learn
For this we all have been born
Are you with me
Are you still with me
Are you still with me
Or against me
The lyrics of DeVotchKa's song Contrabanda convey a sense of urgency and suspicion in the midst of chaos and danger. The singer seems to be addressing someone who may be a friend or a foe, questioning their allegiances and intentions. The first stanza reflects this uncertainty, with the singer wondering if the other person has come to "bust" them and expressing a lack of trust. However, they also acknowledge that some things must come to pass, indicating a resignation to the situation at hand.
The second stanza introduces more specific imagery, with references to troops deserting and backwaters burning. The singer then urges for boots to be thrown in the fire, indicating that they don't plan on returning to their previous way of life. The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, features a plea for a loved one to stay with them and support them in their struggles.
The third stanza adds more context to the situation, with the singer referencing radio headquarters and approaching a border while hiding contraband and getting papers in order. The final lines express a sense of loss and resignation, with the singer acknowledging that they are reduced to burning all that is useful and that life lies in repose. The chorus repeats once more, emphasizing the importance of having someone to rely on in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you come to bust me
Are you here to arrest me?
You still don't trust me
You still doubt my honesty.
Some things they will pass
Certain events are temporary.
Some things they must be
Certain things can't be changed.
The troops are deserting
The soldiers are abandoning their duties.
The backwater burning
The remote region is being destroyed by fire.
Throw your boots in the fire
Discard your boots as we won't return.
We won't be returning
We are not going back there.
Where where have you gone
Where did you disappear to?
My wide eyed Italian love song
My passionate and emotional love affair.
When when will I learn
When will I gain wisdom?
For this we all have been born
We are all destined for this purpose.
Are you with me
Are you supporting me?
Are you still with me
Do you still stand by my side?
Or against me
Or are you opposed to me?
Radio headquarters
Communication center for military.
We are approaching the border
We are getting closer to the boundary.
Hide the contraband
Conceal the illegal goods.
Get your papers in order
Arrange all official documents properly.
Burn all that is useful
Destroy valuable resources.
That's what we are reduced to
That's the sad state of our existence.
A life lies in repose
A calm and peaceful life is possible.
It's there if you choose to
You can have it if you decide.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raúl Díaz
Magnífica rola!
Websteroni
Okay, all I know is that I love this song and I love Devotchka. Call it anything you want.
April Vanous
They have actually had mariachi bands open for them before, at their local shows here....
AllRiseForDrEvil
I'm looking forward to the new album! It's gonna be a great year for music. Next week the new Cake album and in March the new Elbow!
Poppet Pasta
WOOOT!! HIS VOICE IS SO GROOOVY!!
shavulture
I love devotchka radio on pandora!!!!!!
jacksalon
Saw Devotchka last night in San Francisco, they played this song at the end of the first encore and absolutely blew the roof off with it. It's a little more tame on the album, which is a shame, but still a great song. Listen to it LOUD. If you get a chance to see them live, don't hesitate! I was a little worried they wouldn't be able to live up to their awe-inspiring studio work, but they absolutely did, especially Nick Urata, his voice was everything I hoped for after listening to the albums.
Joëlle Wojewoda
Superbe. J adore 💜
SirBalk13
Aaah Devotchka, making my mornings unique every time.
nompchious
Um....instead of labeling it just enjoy it yah! We know it hits roots no matter what it hits roots <3