Devotchka (and all variants of capitalization thereupon) is a quartet, hailing from the music mecca of Denver, Colorado. They originally were a backing band for burlesque models, including Dita Von Teese, before they released a few albums of Slavic-influenced mariachi folk gypsy indie rock.
Their song "How it Ends" has been used in many a commercial and trailer, including those for Gears of War and Everything Is Illuminated. Anyone who has seen Little Miss Sunshine will recognize some of their music upon hearing it, and their songs have also been used in the Brazilian telenovela Meu Pedacinho de Chão. Despite this, they remain relatively underground.
They have added touring members, but the core of the band band is composed of:
- Nick Urata (lead vocals, guitar, bouzouki, trumpet, piano, theremin)
- Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone, upright bass)
- Tom Hagerman (accordion, viola, piano, Melodica)
- Shawn King (drums, percussion, trumpet, accordion, organ)
Lots of instrument switching ensues during live shows.
They provide examples of:
- Anti-Love Song: "You Love Me."
- Bilingual Bonus: spoken phonetically, the band's name means young girl in several Slavonic languages, including Russian and Czech/Slovakian.
- Break-Up Song: "Such A Lovely Thing," "The Clockwise Witness"
- Concept Album:
Word of God confirms "How It Ends" is about a young Ranchero who goes off to war to find that his childhood sweetheart has married another man for his money. - Cover Version: Siouxsie and the Banshees's "The Last Beat of My Heart," Frank Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid," Velvet Underground's "Venus in Furs."
- Epic Rocking: "Such a Lovely Thing," "The Enemy Guns," "The Man from San Sebastian," "Life is Short," "Dark Eyes."
- Indecipherable Lyrics
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Nick Urata's constant onstage companion: a bottle of red wine. He has been known to splash the audience.
- I Will Wait for You: "The Enemy Guns," "You Love Me," "I Cried Like a Silly Boy."
- Obligatory Bondage Song
- Shout-Out: Their name is a reference to A Clockwork Orange. "Charlotte Mittnacht (The Fabulous Destiny Of...)" sounds like it's straight off the soundtrack to Amélie (Translated: The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain)
- Silly Love Songs: So many that the band has heard tales of people meeting at their shows and later getting engaged or married.
