Last month, Chicago-based band Dehd announced Flower of Devotion Remixed – a remix of their “lush and inviting” (Pitchfork, Best New Music) sophomore album – out September 17th via Fire Talk. Since then they’ve released the second and third singles from the album, “Desire – Lala Lala Remix,” which follows the lead single “Flying – Physical Medium Remix” and “Loner – Protomartyr Remix,” a sparse and percussive reimagining of their 2020 breakout hit.
With help from Protomartyr, Dehd transform “Loner” into a hypnotic scorcher, amplifying the ingredients that made the track into an instant classic.
“I have a suspicion that this is the most badass a Dehd song will ever sound simply because Protomartyr are so badass,” says Dehd’s Jason Balla. “They have a way of making gloomy optimism and ‘Loner’ is swimming in it. I got to tour with them a few years back and their live performances have really left an impression on me. I think it was also on this fated tour that our tour manager introduced me to the music of Detroit house producer Moodymann, which has been a big inspiration to me and to the idea of making this remix record.”
Lala Lala’s remix of “Desire” pulses with a bright beat, putting the focus on Emily Kempf’s instantly recognizable vocals. The track clocks in at just above two minutes, but it packs a punch of emotive synth and an addictive, repeating mantra: “You are my dream, you are my dream.”
“Lillie [West] from Lala Lala really cut this one down to just the vocals and built it back from there,” says Dehd’s Jason Balla. “The first time I heard it I was amazed at the intensity of the vocals, it was like hearing the song for the first time. I think sometimes there’s this impulse in music-making that more equals intensity, but I’d say this remix is an argument against that kind of logic.”
“Dehd are some of my best friends and one of my favourite bands,” says Lala Lala’s West, “and it was an honour to remix their song ‘Desire.’ Emily’s isolated vocals made me cry. I hope you dance.”
Flower of Devotion Remixed sees Dehd surrounded by a myriad of close collaborators (Protomartyr, Freak Heat Waves, and more). It points a shining spotlight on the Chicago music scene the band still calls home, staying true to the trio’s earnest melodies while creating an amorphous blend of experimentation in mutated indie pop that feels like a personal mixtape for the friends that know them best.
This fall, the band will tour across North America, including a hometown appearance at Pitchfork Music Festival with an adjacent aftershow. Afterwards, they’ll hit the road as support for Julien Baker. Tickets are on sale now and moving quickly. A full list of dates can be found below.
Pre-order Flower of Devotion Remixed
Flower of Devotion Remixed Tracklist
1. Flying – Physical Medium Remix
2. Disappear – 03sem Remix
3. Loner – Protomartyr Remix
4. Apart – Accessory Remix
5. Drip Drop – Freak Heat Waves Remix
6. Flood – 100% Cement Remix
7. Haha – Rxm Reality Remix
8. Letter – Sunglow Remix
9. Desire – Lala Lala Remix
10. Month – In The New Age : Scott Monroe Remix
11. No Time – Dom Rabalais Remix
12. Moonlight – Lionlimb Remix
13. Nobody – Miranda Winters Remix
Dehd Tour Dates
Fri. Sept. 10 – Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
Sat. Sept. 11 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle – SOLD OUT
Sat. Sept. 18 – St. Augustine, FL @ Sing Out Loud Festival
Fri. Oct.1 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Sat. Oct. 2 – Oberlin, OH @ Oberlin College
Sun. Oct. 3 – Detroit, MI @ El Club
Mon. Oct. 4 – Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
Wed. Oct. 6 – Montreal, QC @ L’esco
Thu. Oct. 7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Market Hotel
Fri. Oct. 8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sat. Oct. 9 – Peekskill, NY @ First River Festival
Tue. Oct. 12 – Boston, MA @ Northeastern University
Wed. Oct. 27 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre *
Thu. Oct. 28 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater *
Fri. Oct. 29 – Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater *
Sat. Oct. 30 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *
Mon. Nov. 1 – Phoenix, AX @ The Van Buren *
Tue. Nov. 2 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park *
Wed. Nov. 3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon
Thu. Nov. 4 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern Theatre *
Sat. Nov. 6 – Oakland, LA @ Fox Theater *
Mon. Nov. 8 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater * – SOLD OUT
Tue. Nov. 9 – Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre *
Wed. Nov. 10 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre *
Fri. Nov. 12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex *
Sat. Nov. 13 – Englewood, CO @ The Gothic Theatre *
Mon. Nov. 15 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada *
Tue. Nov. 16 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall *
*= supporting Julien Baker
Dehd Online:
http://dehd.horse/
http://firetalkrecs.com/dehd/
https://dehdforever.bandcamp.
https://www.instagram.com/