Hometown heroes Geographer are set to hit the Fillmore this Thursday, January 31 and they’re bringing with them a thoroughly nomadic opener in the form of ON AN ON, which has fully embraced the life of a touring band. They say that it’s through that spirit of wanderlust that they draw the most inspiration.
It took moving to and from Chicago, then to Minneapolis for the eclectic trio to finally agree upon calling no city their home.
“It’s been a mix of disorientation and relaxation settling into this,” ON AN ON’s Nate Eisland tells the Appeal.
“We’re inspired by all the crazy moves and being inserted and transplanted.”
ON AN ON began with Eisland’s previous project, Scattered Trees, which went from being a solo project to a five-piece band. After three critically acclaimed albums, two of its members left and the remaining trio, including Eisland, shed their indie pop roots in favor of experimentation and ultimately, musical freedom.
“This band is a lot more electronic compared to [Scattered Trees]. It’s got elements that are really raw and more immediate,” Eisland said.
“We’re trying to push ON AN ON in more adventurous directions.”
Those directions see ON AN ON’s debut album, Give In, following an expansive musical trajectory, turning fully formed epic soundscapes on their heads as opener “Cops” pairs an industrial groove with shoegaze harmonies, only to further mellow out, settling into the melancholy of such minimalism as “I Wanted to Say More”. Each change is more unexpected than the last.
Set to be released today, just two days before their Fillmore show, Give In was recorded over nine months ago. With such a lengthy time between initial concept and album release, ON AN ON has most definitely picked up a host of new tricks since they left the studio, especially onstage.
“Our live performances feel more organic. It’s fun to play out new songs to an audience who’s really not familiar with them; just to see their reaction,” Eisland says.
“We love to get people out there and see them really connect with our music.”
Catch ON AN ON opening for Geographer this Thursday, January 31 at the Fillmore.
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