Mates of State Return Home

Connecticut residents Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, the synthpop duo that is Mates of State, returned home on Saturday night (June15th, 2013) to headline a show in Hamden, CT.  The two had been on the road opening for indie-electronic super group The Postal Service, playing in front of thousands of fans in sold out arenas before returning to the more intimate setting of the Spaceland Ballroom, which holds just under 300. 

Upon hearing the initial thump from Jason’s translucent orange bass drum reverberate through the p.a., excited Mates of States fans streamed in to catch the sound check with anticipation.  Unlike previous shows on their tour, the buzz was all about them; Mates of State were the headliners.  That said, they took to the stage with grace and good humor as Kari begged the crowd to bear with them saying “…we don’t have a set list planned, but we have an idea…”.  The spontaneous atmosphere this created made each new song feel like a pleasant surprise.  Kari and Jason conversed briefly between songs away from their mics until finally nodding in agreement as to what they’d play next.  Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but as husband and wife the two appear to have a connection on stage rarely seen in other bands.

Heads bobbed and shoulders swayed in unison to tracks like The Re-Arranger, Maracas, Fluke, and Sway.  While tracks like So Many Ways, Unless I’m Led, You Are Free, and Get Better found the audience looking almost introspective during these thoughtful, warm, and honest tracks.  The duo encored two songs for the appreciative crowd, the first was For The Actor off of their 2006 album Bring It Back.  Then came a final impromptu moment when Jason stood up behind his drum kit, hunched over into his microphone, and shared that “Today is Kari’s birthday, so let’s wish her a happy birthday.  Kori rocks!”  Jason began by conducting the crowd with both drum sticks in one hand through a hearty version of Happy Birthday, eventually joining the guitarist to finish out the tune.  Kori shouted out a request of her own half way through the anthem, “Can you guys get me a wine.”  The evening drew to a close with the herky jerky ditty Whiner’s Bio off of their 2003 release Team Boo.  All in all it was a welcome return of CT’s most famous husband and wife indie pop duo. 

For more about Mates of State check out their website or this excellent video about the band.

Full resolution photos can be found on Flickr.