It’s been five years now since the formal dissolution of Joan of Arc, and until Riot Fest throws an obscene amount of money their way to encourage them to regroup, the long-running experimental Chicago band’s various factions are keeping busy with new creative outlets. Three of their non-Kinsella members launched Aitis Band shortly before the release of Tim Melina Theo Bobby—that is, the titular Melina, Theo, and Bobby—and they’ve maintained a sense of momentum with the synth-forward art-punk project (though their current iteration only consists of Melina Ausikaitis and Bobby Burg, joined by Ray Borchers). Next month will see the release of their fourth record together, Aitis Band – IV, which was produced by Tim’s cousin and former Arc member Nate Kinsella.
To add to any confusion that may arise with this list of first names, Aitis Band’s latest single from the album is called “Dan.” Over minimal electronics and programmed drums, Ausikaitis can be heard intoning fragments of slice-of-life vignettes which, by design, don’t quite add up to a cohesive portrait. “‘Dan’ is a handful of those memories that pop up every year or two,” the band shares, “the ones that make you feel weird or wonder if you might have been in love. Our response is like, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.’”
The track is illustrated with an animated music video that strives to keep up with the constantly shifting narrative. “Joe Pankowski’s music video of playful drawings depicts this series of random moments, filtering them through words and lines,” they add.
Check it out below, and pre-order IV here.
