CAMBRIDGE: Green Mind @ The Portland Arms

Monday 28th March, 2022

7:30pm

Event information

Bodega's new album was inspired by a book club. In the early months of 2020, the Brooklyn art-punk incendiaries gathered together with close friends to study the works of a wide range of philosophers. Passionate debates lasting long into the night became a regular occurrence, motivating the band to become as ideologically unified as the weighty tomes they were reading. "Broken Equipment" is Bodega's attempt to interrogate the external factors that make them who they are, propelling existential quandaries with tongue-in-cheek humour, highly personal lyrics, and irresistible grooves.

In the album's opening moments, vocalist Nikki Belfiglio urges listeners to "watch the thrown." She is joined by fellow founding member Bodega Ben, who details various ways his personality is constantly influenced, or 'thrown', by phenomena such as 'big rock ads' or 'the itch on my back.' This opening song - "Thrown" - serves as a thesis statement for the record's multi-faceted exploration of how ideology and identity are shaped, but never fixed.

Since Bodega's formation in 2016, Ben and Nikki (who previously played together in the band Bodega Bay) have experienced a rare meteoric rise. The duo double as filmmakers, earning acclaim for their 2020 erotic drama PVT Chat starring Peter Vack, Julia Fox, and other recognizable faces from the Safdie brothers' cinematic universe. When the pandemic forced them to hit pause, they used the opportunity to regroup with drummer/performance artist Tai Lee, bassist/philosophy professor Adam See, and lead guitarist Dan Ryan.

"Broken Equipment" was produced by Ben himself with Bobby Lewis, Bodega's NYC live sound mixer. The record was mixed by Bryce Goggin, whom the band sought out for his work with Pavement, and Adam Sachs (Wives).

Venue information

CAMBRIDGE: Green Mind @ The Portland Arms

0	129 Chesterton Rd Cambridge CB4 3BA
>	www.greenmind.co.uk
!	01223 357268
`	Unless otherwise stated, all our events at The Portland Arms are standing, with no seated areas. If you have accessibility requirements, please email website-queries@greenmind.co.uk