Says the Daily Utah Chronicle, “Luke Wyland and Dana Valatka, the Portland, Oregon-based duo known as AU embody remarkable, frantic energy. It permeates everything they touch. AU brings into question the moment and where you are in it.
Both Lights is their third album and the long-anticipated followup to 2008′s acclaimed LP Verbs and still-memorable tours with Why? and Deerhoof. Wyland’s soaring vocals and multi-tentacled performance on keys and guitar are fortified by Valatka’s adrenalized percussion. Contributions by saxophonist Colin Stetson (most recently seen on stage with Bon Iver) and vocalist Holland Andrews take Both Lights into the stratosphere, where it shines as AU’s finest work yet.
The core members of what is now Holiday Friends met while attending college at the University of Idaho in 2008. Originally forming as a surf-rock band (Shitty Pete and the Fux) they wisely decided on a name change once it was time to get a bit more serious and begin writing original material. Brothers Scott and Jon Fagerland along with Zack O’Connor slowly relocated to Astoria while Jesse Wityczak stayed behind to finish grad school all the while remaining a vital ‘satellite’ member. The lineup was solidified when drummer Brian Bovenizer joined in 2011.
Last year the band self-released their (nearly-out-of-print) debut ‘Chicks’ and hit the road supporting Blind Pilot for dates on the West Coast. A sophomore effort (recorded at Portland’s Type Foundry Studio) has just been completed and is being readied for a late summer/early fall release.
featuring members of Sons Of Guns, Elidila, Test Audiences, Gregory Rawlins and more.