Events

[INDIE] A collaboration between The National’s Matt Berninger and Brent Knopf, formerly of Menomena, El Vy is one of the latest addition to the 4AD record label lineup. Where The National is deeply emotional and Menomena was more experimental, El Vy is at times more playful and some might say quirky, but still as deadly serious. Their debut album, Return to the Moon was released in October and, as Berninger says, it’s more autobiographical than what he’s written for The National. Lyrics touch on some of his favorite bands, Husker Du, the Cramps, and the Minutemen included—and Knopf’s musical arrangements pull it all together with the occasionally melodramatic synth vamp, polished drum take, and chirpy guitar riff. Bathed in purple light, the band—complete with a trio of back up singers, drummer, and bassist—delivered their first single, the album’s title track, “Return to the Moon” in impressive fashion on Conan last year. El Vy will bring their debut album to the Rapids Theatre on Sunday, May 1, presented by Alternative Buffalo.