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Mates of State Debut New Album in NYC

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Taking a break from domesticity, married rockers Mates of State hit up the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan last night to celebrate the release of their newest and fifth album Re-Arrange Us. The crowd was tightly packed at the invite-only gig, a synth-ridden showcase of their latest material and warm-up for their upcoming summer tour.

Keyboardist Kori Gardner and drummer Jason Hammel exchanged intimate glances as they pummeled through an hour-long set, sweetly harmonizing and trading off mic duties while breezing through every track on Re-Arrange Us. The Mates kicked off with the splotchy bleeps of “Now” and followed with a groggy rendition of “Fraud in the ’80s,” a fan favorite from 2006’s Bring it Back. Not entirely cocksure that their synth-drum combo could carry them through the set, the couple brought out a cellist and violinist to beef up the newly minted “Get Better” and older cut “Think Long.”

But like with any marriage, Mates of State’s set was bound to have some bumps to smooth out. The shorting PA spoiled Gardner’s supple coos on their cover of Nico’s “These Days” and the couple had to improvise after the violinist strapped on an electric guitar sans pick. The liquored up audience, which included fellow indie rocker A.C. Newman of the New Pornographers, didn’t seem to mind, and the wedded duo had them moving and shaking by the time they closed their brief set with the anthematic “The Re-Arranger.” Here’s to hoping that the Mates work out the kinks before they make their trek across the States.

We Asked: Mates of State’s new album is called “Re-Arrange Us.” If you could rearrange any two indie rock icons to a couple, who would you put together?

Read the fans’ answers >>
More photos from this show >>

We Asked: Mates of State’s new album is called “Re-Arrange Us.” If you could rearrange any two indie rock icons to a couple, who would you put together?

Back to the story >>
More photos from this show >>

Mates of State / Photo by Jackie Roman

Mates of State / Photo by Jackie Roman

Mates of State / Photo by Jackie Roman

Mates of State / Photo by Jackie Roman

Mates of State / Photo by Jackie Roman

Back to the story >>
Read the fans’ answers >>