I saw The Dodos on May 24 in Seoul. It was a bit of a nightmarish situation for me, as it was Friday night and I had to work Monday morning. Regardless, I was at the concert until 1:30am, and commuted back home at 5:30am, so I could be at work at 8am.

I’ve been listening to this band since they were originally known as Dodo Bird. Meric Long (guitar) and Logan Kroeber (drums) could be classified as American indie rock.

It was incredible to see a band I’ve been following so long, in a small venue in Korea. There was maybe 100 people in the crowded room. A small, but loyal following. With our tight jeans, various hipster tops, floppy hair, and over-sized glasses, we sang all the lyrics from beginning to end.

Set list: Black Night, The Current, Confidence, Fools, Winter, Ashley, Men, Paint the Rust, Jodi, The Season, Good

It still shocks me that this band is not more famous. They seem to endlessly tour. They’ve played small venues all over the world, but also huge festivals back home, like Bonnaroo and Treasure Island.

I feel like they’re on the verge of greatness and pretty soon it may be laughable to say that I saw them in a small music venue in Asia. Their music is melodic and spirited, and lyrics beautiful and fun.

They’ve recently been signed onto Polyvinyl Record Company. Their new album, Carrier, will be available 8/27. According to their press release, it is heavily influenced by the death of former guitarist Christopher Reimer.