Now, Now (Minneapolis MN)

Genre:Rock

<p>Threads – the second full-length release from Minneapolis based Now, Now – explores the fragile and often

<br>transitory nature of our existence, our perceived understanding of the world around us and relationships shared

<br>with others physically and emotionally. Produced by Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, An Horse, New

<br>Pornographers), Threads forms a sprawling sonic endeavor that showcases the bands incredible growth as

<br>songwriters and musicians. Vulnerable vocals give way to oceans of sound retaining definition via deftly layered

<br>guitar parts augmented by lingering synths which alternate between background and center stage.</p><p>This past June, Now, Now, a trio composed of Cacie Dalager (Vocals, Guitar), Jess Abbot (Vocals, Guitar), and

<br>Brad Hale (Drums, Synth) packed up their van and drove 1800 miles across North America to record with Redekopp

<br>in Vancouver, BC. Beyond the geographical shift, the recording felt miles removed from their full-length debut

<br>Cars. Released in 2008 prior to Abbot joining the band, Cars saw the fresh out of High School Dalager and Hale

<br>traveling the United States non-stop and finding their way onto European arena tours. Through word of mouth and

<br>constant touring, Now, Now (formerly Now, Now Every Children) began building a support system of fans and

<br>friends, including Maine native, Abbot. Hale and Dalager quickly became fans of the music Abbot was making

<br>in other bands; “It was kind of funny because she and I used to make jokes about how in an alternate universe we

<br>would probably be in a band together," recalls Dalager. “We had a practice where she played for us the parts she

<br>had written for songs off Cars, recalls Hale. It was apparent from those sessions Abbot could bring something to

<br>Now, Now. “Her guitar work is amazing,” says Dalager, “and just adding another creative brain into the mix was

<br>refreshing for us.”</p><p>Soon enough, Abbot relocated to the Twin Cities to become the third member of Now, Now Every Children, sharing

<br>equally in songwriting and vocal contributions. Dropping “Every Children” from their name, Now, Now began

<br>working on the Neighbors EP, an experiment in writing and recording for the first time as a three piece. Though

<br>the original plan was to self-release the EP, it found a home at No Sleep Records, who encouraged the band to tour

<br>through the first half of 2011.</p><p>It was during this time another relationship formed during the years following Cars began to grow. Chris Walla,

<br>guitarist/producer of Death Cab for Cutie, had taken an interest in the band’s music. “From the very first time we

<br>had contact with him,” explains Hale, “he was always excited and positive about things.” Support from an artist

<br>they admired musically and personally proved inspiring to Now, Now. At SXSW 2011 Walla came to each of their

<br>shows, helped them lug gear and even talked a police officer out of giving them a parking ticket. With mutual

<br>admiration all around, it was natural for Now, Now to sign to Walla’s Trans- Records. “In working with Chris and

<br>his label,” explains Abbot, “we’ve been given a lot of freedom to make sure we’re happy with the music. We run at

<br>a slower place as a band, and he’s not pushed us, but instead given us our time. It’s nice to have that from somebody

<br>who could probably sign any number of bands, and make them do what he wants.”</p><p>With a true sense of purpose and excitement they hadn’t felt in years, Now, Now made the trip to meet with

<br>Redekopp to record Threads. “What people will specifically notice about the songs on Threads,” says Hale, “is the

<br>way that they are put together. We spent a lot of time going through the basic song ideas and restructuring them to

<br>make them their best. Since we haven't released a full-length in so long," he explains, "we wanted to make sure we

<br>were all loving everything about it before we went all the way out there to record.” Between recording and tracking

<br>at three studios in Vancouver, the band would hang out with Redekopp at his house or watch him hit the half pipe at

<br>a local skate park. ”He became an extended member of the band;” explains Dalager, “he got inside our heads and

<br>understood everything we were going for.” During the recording Now, Now could tell they were hitting their stride

<br>for the first time. “As happy as we are with Neighbors,” Abbot says, “a lot of things didn’t click because we were

<br>just learning how to write together.” Dalager notes, “We killed ourselves over Threads. That sounds dramatic, but

<br>everything about it was excruciating in a good way. Every little idea was worked to its best.” As a result, “this is the

<br>first release we feel really proud of.”</p><p>With the album complete, Now, Now look to the future with great anticipation. “This band feels like an extension

<br>of us as people,” explains Dalager. “It’s something we’ve been nurturing for a long time and is all we really care

<br>about;something we’ve worked really hard for and need to make happen no matter what.”</p>