First/Last-Savoir Adore

 Savoir Adore

Mr. Smalls Funhouse

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Millvale

"On “Dreamers,” the dance-laden lullaby and lead single from Savoir Adore’s new album Our Nature, Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro invite listeners into a magical dream world.  Such worlds are nothing new to the fantasy pop duo, who inadvertently became a fixture of Brooklyn’s indie scene as the result of a dare. In 2007, as disheartened solo artists, they whimsically retreated out of the city to a rural studio with two rules: “48 hours.  No acoustic guitars.” They returned with The Adventures of Mr. Pumpernickel and The Girl with Animals in Her Throat (Cantora), a concept-driven EP set in a fairy tale land that narrates the tragedy of Gloria and her unrequited love. On 2009’s full length In The Wooded Forest (Cantora), they expounded on the EP’s mythical landscape. But where Savoir Adore’s previous releases have surveyed these worlds at a distance, Our Nature zooms in, putting our inner landscapes and relationships at the core of every track.  In that vein, the recordings themselves are intentionally more crisp, aurally expansive and intriguing."

The band brings their nature to Smalls tonight on a bill with Jukebox the Ghost and Bright Moments. My sincere thanks to Paul and Deidre for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Paul Hammer: Weezer, “Blue Album”.
Deidre Muro: Mariah Care, “Music Box”.

Your last album bought?
Paul: Red House Painters, “Songs for a Blue Guitar”.
Deidre: Alan Lomax, “An Alan Lomax Compilation”.

Favorite album of all time?
Paul: Ryan Adams, "Heartbreaker".
Deidre: Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds".

Most disappointing album?
Paul: Radiohead, “Hail to the Thief”.
Deidre: Jack White, “Blunderbuss” (I wanted more shredding).

First concert attended?
Paul: Either Saves the Day at Lupo's in Rhode Island or Dave Matthews Band at Giants Stadium. Can't remember!
Deidre: Backstreet Boys at Nassau Coliseum.

Last concert?
Paul & Deidre: Starlight Girls.

Favorite concert ever?
Paul: Cut Copy in London, 2005.
Deidre: Jack White in Austin, TX at the Third Man Rolling Record Store (6 ft. away).

Least favorite concert?
Paul & Deidre: Interpol at Radio City (terrible sound in the balcony).

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Paul & Deidre: A few very late nights at Ritter's, and the most lost we've ever gotten anywhere, ever…construction, 2008.

Thanks, guys. Construction woes in Pittsburgh??? Who'da thunk?