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
Interlude 1
DeVotchKa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To co-conspire commiserate
All it takes is a little bit of love and an awful lot of hate
Is it real?
Does it exist
I know it's wrong
But who am I to resist
All I want is one more time
Some of yours and some of mine
I don't want to spoil the fun but am I the only one who sees what's going on
Am I the only one who remembers the man from San Sebastian
It's just a few more miles
I'll make it smooth and worth your while
Oh don't look so nervous man
We're just here to lend a hand
I don't want to spoil the fun but am I the only one who sees what's going on
Am I the only one who remembers the man from San Sebastian
Am I the only one
Am I the only one
Am I the only one
Who remember the man from San Sebastian
From San Sebastian
From San Sebastian
Am I the only one
Am I the only one
San Sebastian
Am I the only one
Who remember the man from San Sebastian
From San Sebastian
From San Sebastian
The song "Interlude 1" by DeVotchKa is a complex and haunting exploration of human nature, our capacity for love and hate, and our struggles to resist temptation. The opening lines suggest that it is never too late to come together and share in our mutual pain and frustration. The singer acknowledges that love and hate are both powerful emotions that can drive us to act in ways that we might later regret. The lyrics suggest that we are all vulnerable to temptation, but that it is ultimately up to us to decide whether or not to give in.
As the song progresses, we hear the singer reflect on the nature of reality and our ability to distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. He admits that he knows what he is doing is wrong, but he cannot resist the temptation to continue on this path. He longs for one more chance to indulge in his desires before it is too late. He wants to take what is his and what is yours, blurring the lines between right and wrong.
The final lines of the song recall an enigmatic figure, the man from San Sebastian, who may represent a missed opportunity or a warning about the dangers of giving in to our darker impulses. The singer wonders if he is the only one who remembers this figure, suggesting that he is struggling to make sense of his own desires and the consequences of his actions. Overall, "Interlude 1" is a powerful, provocative song that asks us to confront our own weaknesses and the difficult choices we must make in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh it's never too late
There is always a chance to take action, no matter how much time has passed.
To co-conspire commiserate
To come together and share in the feeling of sorrow or sympathy, possibly in order to plan something together.
All it takes is a little bit of love and an awful lot of hate
It may seem like love is the answer, but sometimes it takes a great deal of anger or frustration to motivate people to take action.
Is it real?
Questioning whether something is genuine or not.
Does it exist
Wondering if something is present or real, and expressing uncertainty about it.
I know it's wrong
Being aware that something is unethical or immoral.
But who am I to resist
Acknowledging that despite one's misgivings, it can be difficult to turn down the allure of something.
All I want is one more time
Expressing a desire to experience something again before it's too late.
Some of yours and some of mine
Sharing in something or experiencing it together, dividing up the responsibility and enjoyment among all parties involved.
I don't want to spoil the fun but am I the only one who sees what's going on
Not wanting to ruin the experience, but also feeling like the only one who realizes what is actually happening.
Am I the only one who remembers the man from San Sebastian
Wondering if one is the only person who hasn't forgotten about a particular memory or instance.
It's just a few more miles
Expressing that the desired destination is very near and easy to reach.
I'll make it smooth and worth your while
Promising to make the journey or task effortless and rewarding for the other person.
Oh don't look so nervous man
Assuring someone that there is nothing to be worried or anxious about.
We're just here to lend a hand
Offering assistance to someone who might need it.
Am I the only one
Continuing to question whether one is alone in their thoughts or beliefs.
Who remember the man from San Sebastian
Wondering if others also recall a specific memory or figure.
From San Sebastian
Adding further detail or specificity to the memory.
Am I the only one
Continuing to question whether one is alone in their thoughts or beliefs.
San Sebastian
Referencing the location of a particular memory or event.
Am I the only one
Continuing to question whether one is alone in their thoughts or beliefs.
Who remember the man from San Sebastian
Wondering if others also recall a specific memory or figure.
From San Sebastian
Adding further detail or specificity to the memory.
From San Sebastian
Continuing to reference the specific location of the memory or event.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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