
Friday Sep 17
Deer Tick
$25 - $30
HI-FI Annex
Indianapolis, IN
Sep 17
Friday
5:00 PM
Doors Open
Health Check: Vax or TestBuy Tickets
More about this event
HEALTH CHECK REQUIRED: Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours or negative Antigen test with 6 hours.
Download the Bindle Mobile Health App and verify your vaccination and/or test status to expedite entry to the venue.
Holler on the Square is a festival-like series of concerts at HI-FI and HI-FI Annex spanning September 12-19, 2021. Join us for 8 days of live music with performances taking place in both venues, all week. Check out the daily schedule, full lineup and get your tickets now. All shows are individually ticketed.
Download the Bindle Mobile Health App and verify your vaccination and/or test status to expedite entry to the venue.
Holler on the Square is a festival-like series of concerts at HI-FI and HI-FI Annex spanning September 12-19, 2021. Join us for 8 days of live music with performances taking place in both venues, all week. Check out the daily schedule, full lineup and get your tickets now. All shows are individually ticketed.
Learn More About This Show
Add to Calendar 09/17/2021 05:00 PM09/17/2021 10:00 PMDeer TickMore Information: https://mokbpresents.com/event/deer-tick/HI-FI Annex
RSVP on FacebookARTIST PROFILE | Deer Tick

Americana/FolkRockRoots
Emotional Contracts, the latest full-length album from Deer Tick, catalogs all the existential casualties that accompany the passing of time, instilling each song with the irresistibly reckless spirit thatâs defined the band for nearly two decades. Before heading into the studio with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Spoon, Sleater-Kinney), the Providence-bred four-piece spent months working on demos in a perpetually flooded warehouse space in their hometown, enduring the busted heating system and massive holes in the roof as they carved out the albumâs 10 raggedly eloquent tracks. Emotional Contracts fully echoes the unruly energy of its creation, ultimately making for a heavy-hearted yet wildly life-affirming portrait of growing older without losing heart.
Deer Tickâs first new body of work since 2017âs simultaneously released Deer Tick Vol. 1 and Deer Tick Vol. 2, Emotional Contracts is their most collaborative to date, and sees all four members operating at their peak songcraft powers. The album came to life over an unusually lengthy period of time for the band, with each track based in playing around together and connected in the almost telepathic way thatâs only possible after nearly 20 years. Well-rehearsed and overly prepared, Deer Tick embraced a decidedly more free-and-easy approach to the recording process at Fridmannâs Tarbox Road Studios in Western New York. âWeâve had a habit of trying to maintain a strict control over everything in the studio, but this time we wanted to see what it would feel like to let go a bit,â says singer/guitarist John McCauley, whose bandmates include guitarist Ian OâNeil, drummer Dennis Ryan, and bassist Christopher Ryan. âWe figured that the songs were strong enough to stand on their own two feet, so whatever we put them through would just make them stronger and take us in some new directions.â Dennis adds, âThe fact that weâd spent so much time with these songs allowed us to be really free once we got into the studio. No one was overthinking anything, and because of that the album sounds like us in a way that weâd never captured to this extent before.â Featuring guest musicians like Steve Berlin of Los Lobosâand background vocals from singer/songwriters like Courtney Marie Andrews, Vanessa Carlton (who is also McCauleyâs wife), Kam Franklin, Angela Miller, and Sheree SmithâDeer Tickâs ATO Records debut adds an even greater vitality to their feverish collection of timeless rock-and-roll.
Mostly recorded liveâand honed down from nearly 20 songs to a concise, thoughtfully curated tenâEmotional Contracts brings its combustible but sharply crafted sound to an often-pensive look inward. âA lot of these songs are about standing at a certain point in your life and reflecting on whatâs transpired so far, reckoning with the past but looking ahead with a pragmatic hope for the future,â says Chris. Opening on a blistering burst of guitar, Emotional Contracts begins that reflection with âIf I Try To Leaveââthe first-ever co-write between McCauley and OâNeil. âMost of us have families now, and that song came from imagining how lost and aimless Iâd feel if I just walked away from everything,â says McCauley. âItâs about how much I need that grounding force of family in my life.â âIf I Try To Leave,â partly inspired by the warmth and grit of Keith Richardsâs solo records, builds a sublimely bombastic backdrop to the songâs lucid self-revelation (âSome animals survive/But I only play dead/If I were to leave/From my own belovedâ), and illuminates Deer Tickâs undeniable gift for twisting melancholy into something glorious.
Next, on âForgiving Ties,â OâNeil takes the lead for an anguished yet exuberant track that finds McCauley chiming in to play the part of his jittery inner voiceâlending another layer of lived-in pathos to the songâs punchy introspection (âAll of my confidence/It had a warrant/Knocked on the door/And split open my mindâ). âAs you get older, you end up having to come to terms with traumas from your past while also dealing with the weight of certain responsibilities that you maybe didnât have when you were younger,â says OâNeil. âThatâs especially true of raising a family, but it also applies to how this band has become more and more precious to us the longer it goes on.â Featuring the spirited trumpet work of Fridmannâs son Jon (who also played flute, French horn, glockenspiel, marimba, and trombone across various songs), âForgiving Tiesâ bounces along on a brightly frenetic cascade of rhythms achieved through a mid-session free-for-all. âWe had a little party where we all went crazy with a bunch of different percussion items, like cowbell and a whole other litany of things,â OâNeil recalls. âItâs a dance song thatâs completely authentic to who we are as a band,â adds Dennis.
As revealed throughout Emotional Contracts, that unbridled authenticity stems from Deer Tickâs staying faithful to their instincts while tapping into the ineffable power of their easy camaraderie. On âOnce In A Lifetime,â the band shares a gorgeously sprawling and soul-soothing track born from a spontaneously composed accordion part brought in by McCauley. âI recorded a voice memo of me fooling around with this accordion the very first day I bought it years ago, combined that with another riff, and then we all made a jam out of it,â he says. âIt turned into a song about how when you see an opportunity you need to take it, because time is always running out.â Meanwhile, on âRunning From Love,â Deer Tick deliver a sweetly confessional, â70s-R&B-inspired slow-burner that first came to Dennis in a dream. âI dreamed that the band was performing at Roger Williams Park in Providence and we were all singing this song a cappella, with the whole crowd singing along,â he says. âI woke up and sang it into my phone while I was rocking the baby, and then brought it to the band later on. Itâs funny because at first I didnât really take the song seriously, but with the help of my friends we ended up bringing it to life.â
After the one-two punch of âMy Shipâ (a lovely reverie co-written by McCauley and The Rugburnsâ Steve Poltz) and âA Light Can Go Out In The Heartâ (a particularly wistful track from OâNeil), Emotional Contracts closes out with the all-enveloping catharsis of âThe Real Thing.â Another product of their deliberately free-flowing process, the nine-minute-long epic emerged from a jam at their rain-battered rehearsal space. âAt first I had an idea for a song called âThe Last Book on the Shelf,â which I ended up using as a title for a song about all the creepy book-banning happening lately,â McCauley notes. ââThe Real Thingâ became about living with depression, which has been part of my existence since I was a kid, and how it takes even more work to keep your head above water as you get older.â As the song drifts from brooding urgency to dreamlike grandeur, Deer Tick intensify its captivating impact with an ever-shifting tapestry of sonic details (moody strings, reverbed snare, lush flute melodies, intermittently muted vocals). âDave had me go through that song about five times and create different types of feedback for an hour straight,â OâNeil points out. âItâs a good example of how great he is at piecing together different elements and keeping even a very long song like that exciting all the way through. When I look back on our other records I can remember some incredibly frustrating moments where youâre working on a solo for six hours or something, but there really was nothing frustrating about making this album.â
Founded by McCauley in 2004, with the lineup solidified in 2009, Deer Tick partly attribute their unfaltering chemistry to a shared sense of humor. To that end, the album takes its title from an inside joke regarding potential aliases for the band. âWe were saying that if we had to play a secret show under a fake name, we could be The Hitmen and dress in pinstripe suits like Prohibition-era gangsters. Then we decided, âLetâs just release an album as The Hitmenâweâll call it Emotional Contracts, like contract-killing on an emotional level,â says McCauley. âBut the title connects here with each song somehowâevery song is about a deal youâve made with yourself at some level.â But as a phenomenally rowdy live act who once averaged 250 shows a year, Deer Tick mainly credit their deep-rooted connection to a mutual love for the unpredictability of the musical impulse. âI feel very lucky that we all ran into each other at some point pretty early on in our lives,â says McCauley. âFrom the start, I just wanted to find other musicians that would somehow all stick together, which definitely isnât easy. But we all have a real fascination with music, and that desire to never limit ourselves or repeat ourselves is something that we all very much continue to share.â
READ MORE >>Supporting Acts
SHOW BY SIMILAR ARTISTS
About HI-FI Annex | Indianapolis, IN
HI-FI Annex is an open-air ALL AGES venue located in the back parking lot of The Murphy Arts Center. The main entrance to the venue is located on St. Patrick Street across from the church. All shows end by 10 pm.
Box Office: 317-986-7101
Main: 317-986-7101
Getting Around the Venue
1065 St. Patrick St,
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 10 am to 6 pm
Doors: 1 hour before doors
Frequently Asked Questions About HI-FI Annex | Indianapolis, IN
What are the age restrictions at this venue?
HI-FI Annex shows are always all ages, with a handful of exceptions when a 21+ restriction is in place. Bring the whole family!
Check the individual show listings at hifiindy.com to view if there are age restrictions for your show.
HI-FI Annex requires a valid ID for admission. For guests who will be consuming alcoholic beverages, a valid state or government issues ID is required. Everyone will be carded during check-in. Expired and temporary IDâs are not accepted.
Can I upgrade my to VIP seating?
The Sidestage Lounge VIP access offers a premium exclusive viewing location with an up-close and personal view of the stage. It features a private bar with a full selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. While the Sidestage Lounge is an all-ages area, you must be 21+ with a valid ID to visit the bar. Additionally, it provides a comfortable seating area with tables and couches, as well as dedicated outdoor restrooms for your convenience. Click here to reserve your spot in the Sidestage Lounge.
What items are permitted or prohibited at this venue?
Our security staff performs a thorough screening of all bodies, purses and bags entering the venue. All guests will go through security screening to ensure no weapons or non-permitted items enter the venue. Screening may include metal detection and/or wanding.
Permitted and restricted items may vary by show. Below is a general list of permitted and non-permitted items and activities. Ticket buyers will receive information prior to the show with any updates.
Permitted Items
- Small purse/fanny pack/diaper bag â subject to security inspection
- Umbrellas â small, handheld only
- Strollers
- To-go food from local restaurants
- (1) factory sealed bottle of water or (1) empty, refillable water bottle
- A warm heart & smiles
- Lawn chairs & blankets are only permitted for a select few shows and in designated areas
Non-Permitted Items
For safety reasons, guests are refused entry if they are in possession of prohibited items. Illegal items will be confiscated. If a guest is found inside the venue with a prohibited item, the item will be confiscated and the guest may be ejected from the facility. HI-FI reserves the right to prohibit any item, including items not listed here, from entering the premises if deemed hazardous or disruptive to the event.
- No weapons of any kind: including firearms (with or without permit), knives, multi-tools
- Pepper spray/mace
- Fireworks or flares
- No outside beverages or coolers
- No oversized bags (larger than 12âł x 12âł) including backpacks, duffle bags, camelbacks, briefcases luggage etc.
- No drugs or illegal substances
- No laser pointers
- No glass
- No smoking or vaping in venue, designated smoking area outside venue
- No pets or animals â with the exception of documented service animals
- No removable lens cameras or flash photography, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks â unless pre-approved by Event Manager
- No audio or video recording devices â unless pre-approved by Event Manager
- Skateboards, hoverboards, rollerblades, bicycles, scooters â bike parking available outside the venue
- Signs large than 11âł x 17âł or any sign attached to a stick
- Hula hoops, spray paint, silly string
Can I bring a bag into the show?
Yes! You are allowed to bring a small purse or fanny pack, but it may be subject to security inspection.
Whatâs the parking situation like?
Depending on the day and time, finding a spot can be tricky. On busy show days we advise arriving early to ensure you get a good spot.
Weâre excited to announce our partnership with LAZ Parking to offer pre-paid parking options for HI-FI and HI-FI Annex events. The lot is conveniently located directly next to HI-FI Annex, in the former PNC Bank parking lot. Check here for parking availability ahead of your show.
Parking is free on all of the surrounding streets in Fountain Square and most parking lots.
Rideshare and guest drop-off should take place on the corner of Prospect St and St. Patrick St.
We advise against traveling down St. Patrick St on show days, as it can become congested one-way with traffic coming from both directions.
Bike parking is available outside the HI-FI Annex box office as well as at any of the bike racks on Virginia Ave in front of HI-FI.
What is the camera/photo policy for this venue?
The photo policy for each night is posted at the bandâs discretion. This policy can change on a nightly basis. As a general rule HI-FI Annex does not allow any professional photography unless pre-approved by the band. For approved photographers, Photos permitted for the first three songs only. No flash. Media and professional photographers can contact marketing@hifiindy.com to submit a request for photo credentials.
Is there food and drink at this venue?
HI-FI Annex offers a variety of food, snacks and drinks for guests of all ages. Any guest consuming alcoholic beverages must provide a government issued ID and be 21 years of age or older.
Snack Shack
Snack Shack is a concession stand for guests of all ages. Choose from several hot and ready food times from Easy Rider Diner including hamburgers, chicken nuggets, vegan burritos and much more. In addition, Snack Shack offers popcorn, slushies, candy, sodas and water. Snack Shack also doubles as a HI-FI merchandise store where you can pickup t-shirts, hats, hoodies, stickers and more from our venues.
Main Bar
Main Bar is located to your right when you enter the venue. Itâs the largest container in the venue and serves up the largest selection of beer, wine, spirits, specialty cocktails and boozie slushies. Guests must be 21+ to enter this area.
Stage Bar
Stage Bar is located on the left when you enter the venue, and is the bar closest to the stage. This location serves a selection of beer, wine and cocktails and is the only bar in the venue that serves draft beer.
Sidestage Lounge Bar
This bar is tucked away on the end of Stage Bar, inside of our VIP area known as Sidestage Lounge. This location serves the same options you will find at Stage Bar, but in a private intimate setting.
View seating maps for this venue
The majority of HI-FI Annex shows are general admission, standing-room-only. There is a limited amount of seating upgrades available in Sidestage Lounge. Contact the box office to secure a seating upgrade for your show at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Shows that are reserved or partially reserved seating configurations will have information or purchase options directly on the event listing.
Can I leave and re-enter the venue?
No. Re-entry is not permitted at this venue with the exception of the external smoking area.
Do you offer ADA, handicap or special needs options?
There are 2 handicapped parking spots in the lot located across Prospect St. closest to El Arado Mexican Grill. The box office handles any special needs or ADA seating requests at boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Where is the box office located?
Getting tickets to our shows is super easy! You have a few options, depending on how you like to roll:
Online: Grab your tickets in advance from our official websites, hifiindy.com and mokbpresents.com, or through our trusted ticketing partners tixr.com and seetickets.us.
In Person: Swing by one of our three convenient box office locations around the Murphy Arts Center building and grab tickets with no service fees:
HI-FI Annex Box Office: The box office is located at the front entrance off of St. Patrick St.
HI-FI Box Office: Found at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 4 (at the main entrance to HI-FI). Open only on show nights, starting 1 hour before published show times until 10 pm.
I lost something at the show. Who do I contact?
Have you misplaced something during one of our events? Donât worry, weâre here to help reunite you with your belongings! While we canât take responsibility for lost or stolen items, weâre committed to assisting you in any way we can.
Found items are securely stored at our office until theyâre claimed. Please note that items lost during late-night events might take until the next morning to reach our lost and found. We know you might be eager to retrieve your belongings (like that phone youâre pinging outside our door at 6 am), but our team typically wraps up late-night events and may not be available until later in the morning.
To inquire about lost items, shoot us an email at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Found items can be picked up in our Office (Suite 2) Monday â Friday 10am â 6pm. Guests may be required to provide identification or another form of verification to claim their items.
Letâs work together to get your goods back to you as quickly as possible!
What is your refund policy?
Whatâs Your Refund Policy for Postponed Shows?
If a show gets postponed, donât sweat it! Weâll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if youâre cool with the new date, no further action is needed on your part.Weâll be working diligently to find a new date for the show, and weâll keep you updated every step of the way. But if you canât make it to the rescheduled gig, weâve got your back. Youâll have a generous 30-day window following the announcement of the new date to request a refund.
For those who paid with cash at our box office, just drop us a line at boxoffice@hifiindy.com for further instructions on processing your refund.
Please bear with us as we explore rescheduling options with the tour. Your patience is much appreciated as we work to present the best possible show experience for you.
Whatâs the Refund Policy for Canceled Shows?
In the unfortunate event of a canceled show, donât fret! If you purchased your tickets online, your refund will be processed automatically. Just sit tight and allow 3-5 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account.
No need to lift a finger! However, there are a few scenarios where you might need to reach out to our box office:
- If you paid cash at our box office.
- If youâve received a new or different card since your original purchase.
- If you havenât seen the refund in your account after 5 business days.
What Happens if a Show Gets Rescheduled?
No worries! If a show youâve already grabbed tickets for gets rescheduled, your tickets will still be valid for the new date. Weâll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if youâre good to go for the new date, no further action is needed on your part.
However, if you canât make it to the rescheduled gig, weâve got you covered. Youâll have a generous 30 days from the announcement of the new date to request a refund. Just reach out directly to our box office to kickstart the process.
Beware of counterfeit tickets. How do I tell if my ticket is valid?
Itâs crucial for all buyers to exercise caution when purchasing tickets from unauthorized sites and ticket resellers. Tixr is the only ticket vendor supported at our venues. Unfortunately, this is a widespread issue affecting venues nationwide, and true fans often find themselves at a loss. Regrettably, thereâs little we can do in such situations. Since the original transaction didnât occur through our authorized ticketing partners, we lack the necessary information to assist. Itâs disheartening to witness fans being taken advantage of, especially on platforms like Craigslist, Facebook, StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, and others. We are only obligated to honor valid tickets purchased through our approved channels.
Can I purchase tickets in person without fees?
Yes. HI-FI Annex box office is located at the main entrance off of St. Patrick St. The box office is open 1 hour prior to the published door time. Additionally, the HI-FI box office (suite 4) is open 1 hour prior to the published door time on HI-FI show nights. HI-FI Annex accepts cash as well as all major credit cards for ticket purchases.
Do you have free WI-FI?
Yes. HI-FI Annex offers free WI-FI during all shows. Simply select the HI-FI Free WI-FI network and you are all set.
Health Check: Vax or Test
Sep 17
Deer Tick
HI-FI Annex
$25 - $30
Presented By: 2021 Holler On The Square
Doors: 5:00 PM
Start Time: 6:20 pm
HEALTH CHECK REQUIRED: Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours or negative Antigen test with 6 hours.
Download the Bindle Mobile Health App and verify your vaccination and/or test status to expedite entry to the venue.
Holler on the Square is a festival-like series of concerts at HI-FI and HI-FI Annex spanning September 12-19, 2021. Join us for 8 days of live music with performances taking place in both venues, all week. Check out the daily schedule, full lineup and get your tickets now. All shows are individually ticketed.
Start Time: 6:20 pm
HEALTH CHECK REQUIRED: Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours or negative Antigen test with 6 hours.
Download the Bindle Mobile Health App and verify your vaccination and/or test status to expedite entry to the venue.
Holler on the Square is a festival-like series of concerts at HI-FI and HI-FI Annex spanning September 12-19, 2021. Join us for 8 days of live music with performances taking place in both venues, all week. Check out the daily schedule, full lineup and get your tickets now. All shows are individually ticketed.
Learn More About This Show
Add to Calendar 09/17/2021 05:00 PM09/17/2021 10:00 PMDeer TickMore Information: https://mokbpresents.com/event/deer-tick/HI-FI Annex
RSVP on FacebookBuy Tickets
ARTIST PROFILE | Deer Tick

Americana/FolkRockRoots
Emotional Contracts, the latest full-length album from Deer Tick, catalogs all the existential casualties that accompany the passing of time, instilling each song with the irresistibly reckless spirit thatâs defined the band for nearly two decades. Before heading into the studio with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Spoon, Sleater-Kinney), the Providence-bred four-piece spent months working on demos in a perpetually flooded warehouse space in their hometown, enduring the busted heating system and massive holes in the roof as they carved out the albumâs 10 raggedly eloquent tracks. Emotional Contracts fully echoes the unruly energy of its creation, ultimately making for a heavy-hearted yet wildly life-affirming portrait of growing older without losing heart.
Deer Tickâs first new body of work since 2017âs simultaneously released Deer Tick Vol. 1 and Deer Tick Vol. 2, Emotional Contracts is their most collaborative to date, and sees all four members operating at their peak songcraft powers. The album came to life over an unusually lengthy period of time for the band, with each track based in playing around together and connected in the almost telepathic way thatâs only possible after nearly 20 years. Well-rehearsed and overly prepared, Deer Tick embraced a decidedly more free-and-easy approach to the recording process at Fridmannâs Tarbox Road Studios in Western New York. âWeâve had a habit of trying to maintain a strict control over everything in the studio, but this time we wanted to see what it would feel like to let go a bit,â says singer/guitarist John McCauley, whose bandmates include guitarist Ian OâNeil, drummer Dennis Ryan, and bassist Christopher Ryan. âWe figured that the songs were strong enough to stand on their own two feet, so whatever we put them through would just make them stronger and take us in some new directions.â Dennis adds, âThe fact that weâd spent so much time with these songs allowed us to be really free once we got into the studio. No one was overthinking anything, and because of that the album sounds like us in a way that weâd never captured to this extent before.â Featuring guest musicians like Steve Berlin of Los Lobosâand background vocals from singer/songwriters like Courtney Marie Andrews, Vanessa Carlton (who is also McCauleyâs wife), Kam Franklin, Angela Miller, and Sheree SmithâDeer Tickâs ATO Records debut adds an even greater vitality to their feverish collection of timeless rock-and-roll.
Mostly recorded liveâand honed down from nearly 20 songs to a concise, thoughtfully curated tenâEmotional Contracts brings its combustible but sharply crafted sound to an often-pensive look inward. âA lot of these songs are about standing at a certain point in your life and reflecting on whatâs transpired so far, reckoning with the past but looking ahead with a pragmatic hope for the future,â says Chris. Opening on a blistering burst of guitar, Emotional Contracts begins that reflection with âIf I Try To Leaveââthe first-ever co-write between McCauley and OâNeil. âMost of us have families now, and that song came from imagining how lost and aimless Iâd feel if I just walked away from everything,â says McCauley. âItâs about how much I need that grounding force of family in my life.â âIf I Try To Leave,â partly inspired by the warmth and grit of Keith Richardsâs solo records, builds a sublimely bombastic backdrop to the songâs lucid self-revelation (âSome animals survive/But I only play dead/If I were to leave/From my own belovedâ), and illuminates Deer Tickâs undeniable gift for twisting melancholy into something glorious.
Next, on âForgiving Ties,â OâNeil takes the lead for an anguished yet exuberant track that finds McCauley chiming in to play the part of his jittery inner voiceâlending another layer of lived-in pathos to the songâs punchy introspection (âAll of my confidence/It had a warrant/Knocked on the door/And split open my mindâ). âAs you get older, you end up having to come to terms with traumas from your past while also dealing with the weight of certain responsibilities that you maybe didnât have when you were younger,â says OâNeil. âThatâs especially true of raising a family, but it also applies to how this band has become more and more precious to us the longer it goes on.â Featuring the spirited trumpet work of Fridmannâs son Jon (who also played flute, French horn, glockenspiel, marimba, and trombone across various songs), âForgiving Tiesâ bounces along on a brightly frenetic cascade of rhythms achieved through a mid-session free-for-all. âWe had a little party where we all went crazy with a bunch of different percussion items, like cowbell and a whole other litany of things,â OâNeil recalls. âItâs a dance song thatâs completely authentic to who we are as a band,â adds Dennis.
As revealed throughout Emotional Contracts, that unbridled authenticity stems from Deer Tickâs staying faithful to their instincts while tapping into the ineffable power of their easy camaraderie. On âOnce In A Lifetime,â the band shares a gorgeously sprawling and soul-soothing track born from a spontaneously composed accordion part brought in by McCauley. âI recorded a voice memo of me fooling around with this accordion the very first day I bought it years ago, combined that with another riff, and then we all made a jam out of it,â he says. âIt turned into a song about how when you see an opportunity you need to take it, because time is always running out.â Meanwhile, on âRunning From Love,â Deer Tick deliver a sweetly confessional, â70s-R&B-inspired slow-burner that first came to Dennis in a dream. âI dreamed that the band was performing at Roger Williams Park in Providence and we were all singing this song a cappella, with the whole crowd singing along,â he says. âI woke up and sang it into my phone while I was rocking the baby, and then brought it to the band later on. Itâs funny because at first I didnât really take the song seriously, but with the help of my friends we ended up bringing it to life.â
After the one-two punch of âMy Shipâ (a lovely reverie co-written by McCauley and The Rugburnsâ Steve Poltz) and âA Light Can Go Out In The Heartâ (a particularly wistful track from OâNeil), Emotional Contracts closes out with the all-enveloping catharsis of âThe Real Thing.â Another product of their deliberately free-flowing process, the nine-minute-long epic emerged from a jam at their rain-battered rehearsal space. âAt first I had an idea for a song called âThe Last Book on the Shelf,â which I ended up using as a title for a song about all the creepy book-banning happening lately,â McCauley notes. ââThe Real Thingâ became about living with depression, which has been part of my existence since I was a kid, and how it takes even more work to keep your head above water as you get older.â As the song drifts from brooding urgency to dreamlike grandeur, Deer Tick intensify its captivating impact with an ever-shifting tapestry of sonic details (moody strings, reverbed snare, lush flute melodies, intermittently muted vocals). âDave had me go through that song about five times and create different types of feedback for an hour straight,â OâNeil points out. âItâs a good example of how great he is at piecing together different elements and keeping even a very long song like that exciting all the way through. When I look back on our other records I can remember some incredibly frustrating moments where youâre working on a solo for six hours or something, but there really was nothing frustrating about making this album.â
Founded by McCauley in 2004, with the lineup solidified in 2009, Deer Tick partly attribute their unfaltering chemistry to a shared sense of humor. To that end, the album takes its title from an inside joke regarding potential aliases for the band. âWe were saying that if we had to play a secret show under a fake name, we could be The Hitmen and dress in pinstripe suits like Prohibition-era gangsters. Then we decided, âLetâs just release an album as The Hitmenâweâll call it Emotional Contracts, like contract-killing on an emotional level,â says McCauley. âBut the title connects here with each song somehowâevery song is about a deal youâve made with yourself at some level.â But as a phenomenally rowdy live act who once averaged 250 shows a year, Deer Tick mainly credit their deep-rooted connection to a mutual love for the unpredictability of the musical impulse. âI feel very lucky that we all ran into each other at some point pretty early on in our lives,â says McCauley. âFrom the start, I just wanted to find other musicians that would somehow all stick together, which definitely isnât easy. But we all have a real fascination with music, and that desire to never limit ourselves or repeat ourselves is something that we all very much continue to share.â
READ MORE >>Supporting Acts
About the Venue
HI-FI Annex is an open-air ALL AGES venue located in the back parking lot of The Murphy Arts Center. The main entrance to the venue is located on St. Patrick Street across from the church. All shows end by 10 pm.
Amenities: Live Music, Outdoors, All Ages (Children 5 & under free w/ adult), Premium Sound, Sidestage Lounge, Full Bar, Snack Bar, Street-Level Box Office
Upgrades: The Sidestage Lounge VIP access offers a premium exclusive viewing location with an up-close and personal view of the stage. It features a private bar, a comfortable seating area, as well as dedicated outdoor restrooms. Click here to reserve your spot in Sidestage Lounge.
Ticket Support: Box Office opens 1 hour before published door time. For ticket related questions please email boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Parking: Street Parking, Bike Parking
Upgrades: The Sidestage Lounge VIP access offers a premium exclusive viewing location with an up-close and personal view of the stage. It features a private bar, a comfortable seating area, as well as dedicated outdoor restrooms. Click here to reserve your spot in Sidestage Lounge.
Ticket Support: Box Office opens 1 hour before published door time. For ticket related questions please email boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
Parking: Street Parking, Bike Parking
Refund Policy: All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless the show is canceled. Contact the box office with any questions: boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
1065 St. Patrick St Indianapolis, IN 46203
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