Le Divorce
by Allison Diekhoff
Formed in 2009 in the wake of founding members’ Kitty Vincent (vocals/guitar) and Joe Grobelny’s (guitar/vocals) own separate divorces, the pair, having both played in Façade ten years ago, joined up again to make music as a kind of therapy. What resulted is the appropriately named Le Divorce, an early ‘90s inspired (think P.J. Harvey, Blonde Redhead, The Kills, The National, Sonic Youth), guitar-driven, indie-rock band that has quickly become a Denver icon.
In the three years since Le Divorce first played together, they have accumulated an imposing collection of nominations and festival appearances. In the Westword alone, they have earned two nominations for “Best Indie-Rock Band” in 2010 and 2011, won “Best Musical-Re-partnership” from their first year together (Vincent and Grobelny), and have also made Westword’s “Top Ten Shows of 2011”. They have played the Westword Music Showcase twice, and as if this isn’t impressive enough, they have also played the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase twice, played at SXSW last year, made Concerted Effort Blog’s “Top Fifteen Shows of 2011” for their Nirvana tribute, “Come As You Are,” and also played an official CMJ Music Showcase in New York City. Of all of these accomplishments, their favorites have been opening for Liz Phair at the Bluebird, and playing at Red Rocks, and playing the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase.
Vincent: Liz Phair was amazing. It was the largest show we’d played up to that point, and it was a chance for me to open for someone who had a huge influence on me. Guyville was one of those albums I listened to on repeat in my early ‘20s. But I have to say that nothing on earth tops playing the main stage at Red Rocks. We opened for Film on the Rocks this summer, and it was pretty mind-blowing. I grew up going to those shows and imagining what it would be like to play on that stage. To play the same stage shared by the Beatles and Radiohead, where U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky was filmed, to hear yourself through that huge sound system… there is really nothing like it.
All of this success did not come without its complications. After having recently split with two former members, Vincent and Grobelny were forced to have a long discussion on whether or not to continue on with the band. Luckily, they decided that calling it a day was out of the picture. After undertaking the daunting task of auditions, they asked Mike King (bass) and Kim Baxter (drums) to join the band.
Vincent: We tried a number of combinations, but ultimately Mike and Kim really did seem like the perfect fit. They have both played in the scene for a long time, they understood the songs and the aesthetic of the band, and we really liked them on a personal level. They bring a fresh perspective to the music, which Joe and I are really enjoying.
Le Divorce is currently looking for an indie-label, and they are releasing their second EP, The Sting and the Light, at the Hi-Dive on February 4th. Also watch for a new video coming out this Spring.
As for the future, Vincent had this to say: We’re not sure yet what that will look like, but I’m confident it will be worth listening to. I’d like to take it as far as we possibly can. As for future writing, I’m sure the sound will change a bit, as it always has. New members will likely mean some new directions. We’re not sure yet what that will look like, but I’m confident it will be worth listening to.
2/4 EP Release @ Hi-Dive
Facebook.com/ledivorce
Category: The Rock
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