Grand Rapids natives La Dispute have finished up the tail end of a recent tour, with plans to keep busy in 2010. Having been playing in this incarnation for just three years, that band has already released two EP’s, and recently 
unveiled a full-length. The five-piece band’s album Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair, is their first LP release, and was brought to us by No Sleep Records. With a title pulled from an Asianfolktale, the album looks to initiate discussion about the aspects of people that prevent our own happiness, pulling from the band’s own experiences, and those around them. With great care spent in exploring various structure and dynamic in their song writing, this full length is a significant expansion on the early beginning’s of La Dispute, found in their previous two EP’s.
The band has also released a series of songs, the project titled Here, Hear, which are written and performed by individual members of the band, and accompanied by spoken word recitation of some outside work (i.e. Bukowski, Tom Robbins, Wind in the Willows etc.) With the notion to give a broader perspective to the music created by La Dispute, give a direct representation of each member’s style, musical personality, and influences, and to challenge themselves creatively, Here, Hear is a project that stands out.
Even more so, as of December 24th, with the release of Here, Hear Volume 3 (the most recent installment in the series) the band is taking the proceeds of sales and donating 100% of them to non-profit organization Well House Community in Grand Rapids, which provides emergency shelter and permanent housing for displaced and homeless families. Available for download on a “give what you can” basis, the charitable work, as well as the album itself, is truly commendable.
Check out La Dispute’s blog for more information
All downloads include artwork, lyrics, and liner notes.
Download Here, Hear
Download Here, Hear. II
Download Here, Hear. III
Download Winter Tour Holiday CD-R
Download Untitled 7″
La Dispute’s Brad Vander Lugt talked to Reviewsic from the road of their recent tour, about musical influences and the making of their full-length.
Telegram Sam: Elaborate on the creation of your LP Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair.
Brad of La Dispute: Well, it was very tiresome, haha. We worked for about a year on that record. We tried to create something that helps the listener feel something, ask questions, and think about the themes present. We also wanted to challenge ourselves musically and really make something we could be proud of.
T.S: If we were to hack into your iTunes today, what are some of the names that would be on your “Top 25 most played”?
Brad:That will be very different for everyone in this band, but, some common interests include, but not limited to: Tom Waits, Converge, The Mountain Goats, Frank Turner, Radiohead, and Counting Crows.
T.S: What are your plans as a band for 2010?
Brad: Well, we plan a doing 1 or 2 splits with some great friends, a new full length, and massive amounts of touring. It should be a fun and very busy year. SXSW, Europe in June. We’re very excited for this year!
T.S: What is the most memorable show you have ever played? Attended?
Brad: Wow, that’s tricky. Probably any of the dates of our tour with Thursday were amazing. We all love those guys so much and had such a wonderful time with them.
-The best show I’ve ever been to was a Ben Folds Five reunion show. Wow. Well worth the 14-hour drive!
T.S: If you could have one guest musician play a show with you, dead or alive, who would it be?
Brad: Again, this is my opinion only, but any of the Beatles. Really cliché, I know, haha. Maybe Tom Waits.
T.S: Who are your top three musical influences?
Brad: My influences are a lot of jazz and blues, but that is certainly not the case for everyone in this band. We all love so many different things, I’m honestly not sure.
T.S: How did the last tour go?
Brad: This last tour was perhaps one of the best. Lots of friends, new and old, came and sang along with us. It’s amazing we get to do what we do. Thank you so much everyone, you are so much a blessing.
Visit La Dispute online:
Myspace
No Sleep Records
Tags: Interview, New Release
February 19, 2010 at 12:19 am |
[...] 7-inches, as well as working on their next full-length, due out in early 2011 via No Sleep Records. Read our past interview with La Dispute here, and check below to find out when you can see one of these awesome shows in your town. APR 21 [...]
January 29, 2010 at 12:06 am |
[...] once again among our neighbors to the north. The band more recently finished a tour with La Dispute (Read our interview with La Dispute here), and has begun working with High Road Touring for their future booking. The band is also part of a [...]