LA DISPUTE
I was lucky enough to be asked to guest blog this week as Zoe is at GRAMMY Camp. I wanted to use my one opportunity to talk about a band that means a whole lot to me.
La Dispute is a five piece band from Grand Rapids Michigan. The members are:
Jordan Dreyer
Brad Vander Lugt
Kevin Whittemore
Chris Sterenberg
Adam Vass
They have released two full length albums, Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair:
La Dispute is a five piece band from Grand Rapids Michigan. The members are:
Jordan Dreyer
Brad Vander Lugt
Kevin Whittemore
Chris Sterenberg
Adam Vass
They have released two full length albums, Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair:
And the 2011 release, "Wildlife":
They have a number of EP's, of which I am not yet familiar with.
I remember first hearing La Dispute when I was listening to Pandora Radio. I remember thinking "what is this, this is terrible!" But each time I heard a song, I got to listening more carefully, and the more deeply I listened to the music, the more I learned to appreciate it. Then, I saw that they were performing with Hot Water Music and The Menzingers at The Observatory and decided I would become more familiar with their music. I purchased "Wildlife", and spent time really listening; to the words, to the music, and how the many simple aspects of the music fit together, and I truly became a fan. I purchased "Somewhere Between the River...." and had a new favorite band. Then I saw them live, and I must say it was the best show I had ever seen. Jordan Dreyer is a passionate artist and the band is so much more than just five guys performing music. The band and the performance is like the lyrics; pure poetry.
The first album is filled with the personal stories of the difficulties of the relationships we have with people. The incredible love song "Andria", with lyrics that can pull at your own emotions and make you really feel the love, the pain, the longing and the hurt. The tragedy of "New Storms for Older Lovers" and the power of "Said the King to the River" are so overwhelming that they affect my own emotions that in the past only an intense movie or a gripping novel could. Music doesn't always do this, but La Dispute has found a way through the intersection of their guitar, bass, drums and unique singing of their poetic lead, Jordan Dreyer.
Learning to like La Dispute is not simply turning on the CD and listening. It takes more than that. Like a good book, or an interesting class, you get out of it what you put in. If you want to be introduced to La Dispute, start with Andria. Lie down with headphones and really listen. Go on the journey with Jordan through this incredibly painful breakup:
I remember first hearing La Dispute when I was listening to Pandora Radio. I remember thinking "what is this, this is terrible!" But each time I heard a song, I got to listening more carefully, and the more deeply I listened to the music, the more I learned to appreciate it. Then, I saw that they were performing with Hot Water Music and The Menzingers at The Observatory and decided I would become more familiar with their music. I purchased "Wildlife", and spent time really listening; to the words, to the music, and how the many simple aspects of the music fit together, and I truly became a fan. I purchased "Somewhere Between the River...." and had a new favorite band. Then I saw them live, and I must say it was the best show I had ever seen. Jordan Dreyer is a passionate artist and the band is so much more than just five guys performing music. The band and the performance is like the lyrics; pure poetry.
The first album is filled with the personal stories of the difficulties of the relationships we have with people. The incredible love song "Andria", with lyrics that can pull at your own emotions and make you really feel the love, the pain, the longing and the hurt. The tragedy of "New Storms for Older Lovers" and the power of "Said the King to the River" are so overwhelming that they affect my own emotions that in the past only an intense movie or a gripping novel could. Music doesn't always do this, but La Dispute has found a way through the intersection of their guitar, bass, drums and unique singing of their poetic lead, Jordan Dreyer.
Learning to like La Dispute is not simply turning on the CD and listening. It takes more than that. Like a good book, or an interesting class, you get out of it what you put in. If you want to be introduced to La Dispute, start with Andria. Lie down with headphones and really listen. Go on the journey with Jordan through this incredibly painful breakup:
Then listen to King Park. Try to follow the story and feel how the singer is trying to get into the head and heart of the participants. He is trying so hard to answer the question we must all ask in response to these stories: WHY?
Next, listen to "New Storms for Older Lovers" and think deeply about the preciousness of a long-term relationship and its vulnerabilities. Think of the harm caused by the unthinking person who passes between the married pair.
Lastly, google "rust belt pictures", and get an idea of what has happened to Michigan, Ohio and other states and cities that were once our proud industrial, manufacturing areas, where our stuff was built by well-paid union laborers, and then listen to "St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Blues." Pay attention to the end of the song, and how the subject changes from the church to the person.
And finally, one of the best live songs I have ever experienced; "Said the King to the River"
In conclusion, this is not just music, it is poetry. The emotions of the lyrics, and how well the music fits those emotions, and with a style of singing that could only be delivered by Jordan Dreyer, this band is one you need to check out. Clearly the style is not for everyone, and not for every moment of the day. I find that if I can focus, if I can really listen, this is what I want to hear.
Finally, if there are any English teachers out there, give up a week of classic short stories and teach La Dispute lyrics. Your students will love you for it.
Finally, if there are any English teachers out there, give up a week of classic short stories and teach La Dispute lyrics. Your students will love you for it.
 | Dan Adler was raised in Southern California to a mom and dad, one of whom appreciated Creedence and left wing anti-war politics. By the teenage years, Dan became obsessed with Black Sabbath, listening to the same seven albums repeatedly for 5 years. During this time, his favorite concert experience was seeing Metallica open for a bunch of bands that no longer exist and winning the 1st ever Santa Cruz Air Guitar contest. After several years in Africa listening and dancing to Chimurenga music, Dan returned to have the two best children in the world, one of whom spends a lot of time at concerts with him. What a lucky dad! |
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