Dehd

Dehd is a three piece indie rock band from Chicago formed in 2015.[1][2] The band consists of members Emily Kempf (vocals, bass guitar), Jason Balla (vocals, guitar), and Eric McGrady (vocals, drums).

Dehd
OriginChicago, Illinois
Genres
Years active2015-Present
LabelsFire Talk, Maximum Pelt
Associated actsNE-HI, Lala Lala
Websitedehd.horse
MembersEmily Kempf, Jason Balla, Eric McGrady

History

The creation of the band in 2015 is a result of Emily Kempf and Jason Balla's desire to go on vacation at the beginning of their romantic relationship in 2015.[3] Balla and Kempf, who had been musicians with Chicago-area bands NE-HI and Lala Lala, respectively, reasoned that going on tour would be the best justification for travel.[4][3] Later, Balla and Kempf recruited their mutual friend Eric McGrady, a first-time drummer, in order to socialize with him.[2]

Dehd and Fire of Love EP

In 2016, DEHD released a nine track self-titled album, via the label Maximum Pelt.[5]

This was followed by a 6 track EP, Fire of Love in 2017, via Infinity Cat Recordings.[5] During the summer of 2017, Balla and Kempf ended their romantic relationship, but opted to continue to make music and tour together [2] In an interview with the publication Noisey, Kempf recounted the emotional toll that the post-breakup tour took on the band, stating "There was lots of sobbing...it was pretty intense but we would just get on stage and nothing mattered when we were performing.[2]

Water

Dehd released their second LP Water on Fire Talk Records in May 2019.[6] The writing process for this record was emotionally fraught in light of Kempf and Balla's breakup, with Kempf noting that the band did not discuss the lyrical content resulting from the band's stream of consciousness writing process, and in some cases only realized their interpersonal meaning after the recording process was complete.[2] The New Yorker referenced this strife, quipping that "To listen to the group's new album, “Water,” is to feel sorry for Eric McGrady, the innocent bystander destined to drum through crossfire: the band has outlasted the relationship, leaving behind a trail of bittersweet melodies and lyrics alluding to lost possibilities."[1]

The track "Wild" from Water was featured in the third episode of season two of The CW series Charmed (2018 TV series)[7]

DEHD toured the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France in October 2019, in support of fellow Chicago act Twin Peaks (band).[8][9]

Flower of Devotion

Flower of Devotion was released in July 2020, having been pushed back from a spring 2020 release date as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] The album was met with widespread critical acclaim, with Pitchfork granting the release a "best new music" designation.[12][13][14]

Musical style and influences

Dehd's sound is characterized by reverb-heavy guitar, blunt drumming, and the use of idiosyncratic vocals, which include drawls, call-and response, yelping, and frequent use of counter-melody.[13][12] Commentators have compared the resulting spareness of the sound to the genre of post-punk, but additional comparisons can be made to wall of sound, surf rock and dream pop.[14]

Jason Balla has cited Cocteau Twins, Broadcast, and Cate Le Bon as influences, while Emily Kempf has referenced the works of James Brown, Roy Orbison, and Dolly Parton as having shaped their musical approach.[15]

Discography

LPs
  • 2016: Dehd
  • 2019: Water
  • 2020: Flower of Devotion

EPs
  • 2017: Fire of Love

References
  1. Ruttenberg, Jay. "Dehd" (May 2019). The New Yorker.
  2. Terry, Josh (7 May 2019). "Chicago's Dehd Made an Optimistic Album Out of a Messy Breakup". Noisey. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  3. Edes, Alyssa (31 May 2019). "Chicago Indie Band Dehd's New Album Puts A Breakup To Music". NPR. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  4. DeVille, Chris (1 November 2018). "Dehd - "Dying For"". Stereogum. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  5. Cimarusti, Luca (8 December 2017). "Dreamy post-punk trio Dehd celebrate the release of two records in one". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  6. "Dehd Announce New Album "Water" Out May 10th !". Fire Talk. Fire Talk. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  7. "Music - Charmed". The CW. The CW. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. Sicurella, Savannah (28 May 2019). "Twin Peaks to Debut New Music on Upcoming North American and European Tour". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  9. "Shows". DEHD. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  10. Julious, Britt (16 July 2020). "Chicago band Dehd's new album is finally out, after a delay due to COVID-19". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  11. McCall, Vivian (2 April 2020). "Can Chicago's Music Scene Survive The Coronavirus Pandemic?". NPR. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  12. Arroyo, Steven (21 July 2020). "Dehd: Flower of Devotion Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  13. Aswad, Jem (17 July 2020). "Dehd's 'Flower of Devotion': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  14. Small, Samantha (17 July 2020). "Dehd - Flower of Devotion". Under the Radar. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  15. Sherburne, Phillip (30 June 2020). "Chicago Indie Rockers Dehd Tackle Life's Cosmic Joke With Unpretentious Charm". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
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