"We're excited to have them here this term because they're a lot of what FNR is about -- booking talented up-and-coming bands right before they hit it big," Carmen Kilpatrick '09, FNR general manager said,
Shapes and Sizes is a Canadian band of the indie persuasion whose members pride themselves on their beautiful melodies that span many complex emotions. Members Caila Thompson-Hannant, Rory Seydel, Jon Crellin and Nathan Gage have released two albums on Asthmatic Kitty Records, which is also home to critical and fan favorite Sufjan Stevens. If you like already-popular acts like Stevens, Rilo Kiley or Arcade Fire, this is a show you do not want to miss.
Andrew Berry '08, FNR booking manager, explained, "I booked Shapes and Sizes because they are accessible but not boring, and because they've gotten good press in the past year or so." A lot of that press stemmed from the band's newest album, "Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner." Pitchfork Media's Jessica Suarez reviewed the album very favorably, saying, "What makes 'Split Lips' rise above similar albums is its ability to inflate small portions of songs into mini-showcases for, say, a few great bars of percussion ('Head Movin''), gameshow synths ('Geese'), or pubescent cracks, shrieks, and hisses ('Can't Stop That (Sinking) Feeling')."
As for how that will translate into a live performance, FNR Publicity Manager Julien Almonte '07 said, "They are described as energetic, and lead singer Thompson-Hannant is said to have a commanding stage presence with a great, powerful voice." The intimate setting of Fuel should only enhance these characteristics.
ShellShag is a little rougher on the ears, but no less enjoyable. It is a two-piece band whose members -- Shell and Shag -- invented a microphone setup, "the flying V," for live shows, just so they can sing facing each other. Kilpatrick in particular is excited to hear the band live, whose sound she said is "a band vaguely reminiscent of '90s alternative rock, but a bit more unpredictable" with "a relatively dark but charming sound."
In the recent past there has been much speculation about the future of FNR. As with any indie-minded operation, logistics can always be a problem. "FNR is still working out the kinks and is still struggling to establish a yearly budget that can support the number and quality of shows we would ideally host," Berry said. However, with such high-profile shows in the past few years, such as Of Montreal, an increasing number of bands are clamoring to be another voice heard crying out in the Hanover wilderness.
"At this point, we have bands literally begging to play here. And we keep growing. It's really nice to see people so dedicated to live music," Kilpatrick said. That dedication also extends to Dartmouth students; some more have joined the organization this year. "We've recruited a few '11s already, but also a number of returning students who had wanted to get involved with FNR in the past, but might have been intimidated or afraid," Kilpatrick said. "It's really becoming a very open and welcoming club."
Music fans have lots to look forward to this term. Menomena, an indie band that counts Brent Knopf '00 as one of its members, is already generating a lot of buzz. "I've already gotten blitzes from non-Dartmouth students who want to know more about that show," Kilpatrick said.
But right now, FNR is all about Shapes and Sizes and ShellShag. Berry said that students should come to the show because "every FNR show is FNalright and never FNdisappoints ... especially come because there are free beers." Doors to Fuel open at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. The show starts at 10. Those beers are only free and available if you're over 21.
