Back in October 2004, the Colorado band DeVotchKa released the album How It Ends. The band’s fourth album, How It Ends marked a turning point for DeVotchKa as they soon garnered more attention for their music — in particular, starting in January 2005 with the launch of The Current, and by virtue of the band’s music' being included in the acclaimed 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine.

Now touring in celebration of the 20th anniversary of How It Ends, DeVotchKa frontman Nick Urata connected with The Current’s Jill Riley to share some memories about How It Ends and to talk about the band’s upcoming show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, set for Sunday, Dec. 29. Use the audio player above to listen to the full interview, and find a transcript below.

Interview Transcript

Jill Riley: You're listening to The Current. Well, this morning, we're checking in with a member of a band that, in the history of The Current, this band has a near and dear place in our hearts. Nick Urata from DeVotchKa, a band formed in Colorado, is with me this morning. Hi, Nick, how are you doing?

Nick Urata: Good, how are you? Hello, Current!

Jill Riley: Yes, we are doing well. I've been listening to the new DeVotchKa cover of an absolute Christmas staple, "Blue Christmas," and I'm just loving it. I wonder if we could talk about that a little bit. "Blue Christmas" has been recorded by a number of artists, most famously Elvis Presley, with the gorgeous backing vocals of the Jordanaires. But I just, I love the DeVotchKa version. So can you talk about covering that song a little bit?

Nick Urata: Oh, cool. Well, I'm glad you brought up the Elvis version. I'm sure that had the same effect on all of us when we heard it, and it takes me right back to childhood Christmases every time I hear it. And you know, we just wanted to give a little Christmas gift to our listeners. And out of all the Christmas songs, that was the one that I really could get behind. So hopefully we did it justice. It's pretty big shoulders to stand on.

Jill Riley: Yeah, I like how your version starts. You're the only band that I know that touts a sousaphone — to this day. So there's always been a really interesting assortment of instruments and arrangements. And so I wonder, how did the DeVotchKa style inform how you guys wanted to cover the song?

Nick Urata: Well, yeah, I guess that is what informed it. You know, we looked at our instruments all sitting in the corner of our practice room, and we said, "How could we put our own stamp on this beautiful Christmas song?" Yeah, I guess we just kind of went with what we know, our normal arsenal.

Jill Riley: Yeah, and that's sometimes the best path forward. Hey, we are looking forward to DeVotchKa coming back to town. I know you've played First Avenue in the First Avenue Mainroom a number of times. So that show is coming up Sunday, December 29, and this is a special one. So hey, The Current, this radio station, we're coming up on our 20th anniversary of being in existence. And so it's always kind of cool to see the records that came out in the year 2004, the year 2005, because it takes me back on really great memories. It's the 20th anniversary of the DeVotchKa album, How It Ends. That's incredible.

Nick Urata: Yeah, that is incredible. And I don't know if you guys know this, but you were one of the first stations — we were always kind of an independent band with no backing or record label or management — and you guys were one of the first stations that sort of took that record and played it. So thank you for that.

Jill Riley: I'm so glad that you said that. Thank you for saying that, because I think that's a really good reminder of when there is a radio station, or there's an outlet that exists for independent music, that can lead to some pretty magical and big things. And How It Ends, when I even think about the the title track from that record, I start to think about the work that you guys did with the film Little Miss Sunshine. I wonder if you could talk about that time period a little bit. Did you feel that that record was a real kind of, like, just like a tipping point, a turning point, for you guys?

Nick Urata: When I was writing those songs, it felt like it was a rare occurrence in my life as an artist. The background was, I was in a one-bedroom, crappy apartment; I was living above Tom, our violinist and accordion player. I was unemployed, but the songs were, like, pouring out of me, which is probably one of the only times in my life I can report that they were just coming from another place; I was channeling them! It's a pretty rare occurrence, so I definitely honor that moment in my life, and I'm thankful that we were able to get it on record when we did. But it was like a really romantic period too, in our lives; you know, when you're young and you have a band and you're discovering this incredible, wide-open world of music and this sort of collective consciousness that you're tapping into, if that makes sense. And looking back, I'm glad that we were able to to harness it, because it is fleeting.

Jill Riley: And really the way that you even reflect on it, I mean, there's such a fondness in your voice for that period of time, such a creative period of time. And now, bringing it up to almost the end of the year 2024 and thinking about the 20th anniversary of that album, what is it like for you guys to really play those songs now? I mean, are there some where you're like, "Whoa, we haven't really thought about this song in a long time"?

Nick Urata: Yeah, a lot of them are like that. And for me, and I think it's the same for the other members, when I'm standing up there, I am kind of transported back to that, and it's like I'm reliving my younger self emotionally. And, yeah, it brings up a lot of baggage! I think, you know, not necessarily negative, but I did get in touch with some pretty deep emotions when I was writing those songs, and those all come flowing back. Sometimes I find myself tearing up in the middle of a verse, and it's ridiculous, I know, but it actually happens. It's like you can't escape that no matter how many times you perform it. And the real rewarding thing, after the shows, we've been trying to sign everybody's vinyl copy of that album, and I've heard so many stories about where people were in their lives when they happened upon that album, and to hear so many different versions, and to know that we were kind of a part of their soundtrack, it makes [me] feel like maybe I did accomplish something with my life.

Jill Riley: I suppose it's kind of hard to even wrap your mind around until you start hearing those stories from fans. I mean, Nick, I'll tell you that that record is really, that is part of the soundtrack to my first year of having a professional radio job. I listened to those songs, and it's like, I'm pulled back: I was the overnight DJ, I was live overnights, and I have such great,  great memories of hearing those songs. And I think it's one of the reasons that I love the movie Little Miss Sunshine, because when I hear your music in that movie, it just reminds me of those early nights in the radio biz, working alone, I lived alone, and there were so many albums that meant so much to me because they were such a big companion. I hope that makes sense.

Nick Urata: Oh, it does, that's just another example, and it makes me really happy to hear that. Writing these songs or performing, you're kind of singing into the void. You never know if anyone's even going to hear it. So that makes me happy that it was a part of your life, too.

Jill Riley: I'm talking with Nick Urata from DeVotchKa, the show is coming up at First Avenue, Sunday, December 29. The 20th anniversary of the album, How It Ends. And How It Ends, I think a big part of The Current listener soundtrack, especially in the first couple years of The Current when we played that record quite a bit, and it's one of those, I think, music-discovery moments that I think has really led to you having this great following. I think you just got a great following in Minnesota, and I know you've played First Avenue a number of times. How are you feeling about coming back to Minneapolis? What are you excited for?

Nick Urata: Well, you know that First Avenue is a really rare venue, and I'm so happy that it's managed to keep its doors open and people still love it. You should cherish it. The same people are there that were there when we started, and they always welcome us back like family. It's really pretty amazing. And it's kind of rare in this business. So it's always a beautiful reunion when we come back to First Avenue. They're such great people, and they have such a gem of an American classic music venue, so please support them, Minneapolis.

Jill Riley: Well, we look forward to the show. DeVotchKa at First Avenue, Sunday, December 29, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album, How It Ends. Nick, thank you so much for taking the time to check in. It's always nice to see your band's name coming back to town. I have a lot of good memories of seeing DeVotchKa shows. I hope it's a night of a little nostalgia, but then, you know, a little looking forward to the future as well.

Nick Urata: Yeah, I think there'll be a little bit of both. And if I could just say thanks to all your listeners for supporting us all these years.

Jill Riley: For sure, of course! Well, let's go out here with the title track to that album released in the year 2004. "How It Ends," DeVotchKa on The Current.

Credits

Guest – Nick Urata of DeVotchKa
Host – Jill Riley
Producer – Nilufer Arsala
Digital Producer – Luke Taylor

External Link

DeVotchKa – official site