My Dear Disco will perform Thursday, Nov. 6 at the UpFront and Company, playing for the first time in the U.P.
The Ann Arbor based band consists of seven members, who play an eclectic selection of instruments, from synth and Irish bagpipes to traditional instruments like drums and guitar.
Theo Katzman, guitarist for the band, said the group tends to let whoever is singing vocals write the lyrics for each song, but gets influence from everyone in the band. He said it was just such a collaboration effort that inspired the band’s name.
“We used to be called Toolbox before (vocalist) Michelle (Shamuel); an instrumental band with bagpipes on lead and no vocals,” Katzman said. “But then Michelle came and we thought we had to pick up a new name for the new sound. (Guitarist) Bob (Lester) had brought in a song that he and Michelle had done for a school project called ‘My Dear Disco,’ and he got the ‘dear’ as a tribute to an electronic musician, Matthew Dear from Ann Arbor. We don’t play disco, but I do think that we are disco influenced.”
While the band may be disco-influenced, the sound can’t be classified into any particular genre. Katzman explains that their music is supposed to keep you on your feet dancing and always thinking about the songs. This inspired the band to make up their own style.
“Dancethink is a word we created hoping we’d fill that title,” Katzman explained. “Every band these days is coming from such a wide range of influences that it can be hard to categorize oneself in a genre. We’re trying to create challenging compositions and we never do any music that’s mindless. People are saying we’ve created our own musical genre, and that’s our goal.”
Entertainment Director Lee Haynes of UpFront and Company said he was excited to have them booked for a show.
“We have been watching My Dear Disco for quite some time,” Haynes said. “We were fortunately able to fit them in our schedule.”
According to Haynes, they’ve planned for a good turnout to the show.
“I expect My Dear Disco to bring a great crowd out for a Thursday night,” Haynes said. “They are a great band and this will be their first time here, so my expectations are high.”
My Dear Disco will be playing at UpFront and Company Thursday at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 at the door.
