Durand Jones & The Indications
{{short description|American soul group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Durand Jones & The Indications
| image = Durand Jones & the Indications am Haldern Pop Festival 2019-01 - Foto Martin Schumann.jpg
| caption = Durand Jones & The Indications at Haldern Pop Festival 2019
| alias =
| origin = Bloomington, Indiana
| genre = {{hlist|Retro-soul|contemporary R&B}}
| years_active = 2012–present
| label = Colemine, Dead Oceans
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|durandjonesandtheindications.com/}}
| current_members = *Durand Jones
- Aaron Frazer
- Blake Rhein
- Steve Okonski
- Michael Montgomery
| past_members = *Kyle Houpt
- Justin Hubler
}}
Durand Jones & The Indications is an American contemporary R&B and soul group founded by the core songwriting trio of singer Durand Jones, singer/drummer Aaron Frazer, and guitarist Blake Rhein. Formed in 2012, the band came to prominence as part of the soul revivalist movement around the time of the reissue of their debut album in 2018. Their second album American Love Call was released in March 2019, followed by Private Space in July 2021.
History
Blake Rhein and Aaron Frazer, two students at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, developed a musical relationship with Durand Jones in the early 2010s based on their shared interests in songwriting and old soul 45s.{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Seth|title=Thank god — literally — that Durand Jones was finally convinced to sing|url=https://nuvo.newsnirvana.com/music/thank-god-literally-that-durand-jones-was-finally-convinced-to-sing/article_6be67ffc-9e13-11e7-871f-8356fe266b94.html|access-date=2021-03-09|website=NUVO|date=21 September 2017 |language=en}} Rhein had met Jones, a Louisiana native doing postgraduate studies for classical saxophone, while both were working with Indiana University's Soul Revue. Rhein and Frazer would later bring in the two other members of their blues rock band [https://charliepattonswar.bandcamp.com/ Charlie Patton's War], bassist Kyle Houpt and organist Justin Hubler, to form The Indications.{{Cite web|title=Durand Jones {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/durand-jones-mn0003550803/biography|access-date=2021-03-09|website=AllMusic|language=en}} They wrote what would be their debut album between Fall 2012 and 2014, recording on a Tascam four-track recorder.{{Cite web|last=Frazier|first=Preston|date=2016-07-15|title=Durand Jones, soul singer: Something Else! Interview|url=http://somethingelsereviews.com/2016/07/15/durand-jones-interview/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Something Else!|language=en-US|quote=Aaron, Blake and [Durand] began to write tunes in the late fall of 2012. The last song we recorded was "Now I’m Gone," in 2014. We were just doing this for fun on Sunday nights.}} Concurrently, Charlie Patton's War toured regionally and nationally; between tours, Durand Jones & The Indications played their "one and only show" in May 2014.{{Cite web|date=April 30, 2014|title=Charlie Patton's War|url=https://www.facebook.com/CharliePattonsWar/posts/707920139265815|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Facebook|language=en|quote=For the past year or so, Charlie Patton's War has been recording under a totally different name along with our friend Durand Jones, and next Thursday, we'll be playing our one and only show as Durand Jones & The Indications! ...This project will most likely never play live again, so don't miss out!}}
In 2015, the band was approached by Ohio soul label Colemine Records about releasing an album of music from their earlier sessions. They released their first 45 in 2015 and followed with their debut album Durand Jones & The Indications the following year.{{Cite web|title=Durand Jones & The Indications Make Old-School Soul With A New-School Honesty|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/03/29/597289059/durand-jones-the-indications-make-old-school-soul-with-a-new-school-honesty|access-date=2021-03-09|website=NPR.org|language=en}} They played a single show in Bloomington in April 2016 before going off to separate careers.{{Cite web|date=July 4, 2018|title=Durand Jones & The Indications|url=https://chicagomusicguide.com/durand-jones-the-indications/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Chicago Music Guide|language=en-US}} Following support from critics and independent record stores,{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Seth|date=September 21, 2017|title=Thank god — literally — that Durand Jones was finally convinced to sing|url=https://nuvo.newsnirvana.com/music/thank-god-literally-that-durand-jones-was-finally-convinced-to-sing/article_6be67ffc-9e13-11e7-871f-8356fe266b94.html|access-date=2021-03-09|website=NUVO|language=en|quote="Digitally, there was no traction because the band really wasn’t touring... But in the independent record store, we sold out the day of the first run, and that almost drove the hype."}} the band would reunite and toured throughout 2017, primarily in the Midwest and the South.{{Cite web|title=Durand Jones & The Indications Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick|url=https://www.songkick.com/artists/8098113-durand-jones-and-the-indications/gigography|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.songkick.com|language=en}} In 2017, Steve Okonski replaced Justin Hubler as organist. Their album was reissued by Bloomington label Dead Oceans in 2018 with new live material.
The Chicano lowrider community, noted for their love of oldies, were early champions of The Indications and began circulating their music as early as 2016.{{Cite web|last=Dueñas|first=Melissa|title=They're A Midwest Retro-Soul Band And Generations Of LA Latinos Are Here For It|url=https://laist.com/2019/07/19/durand_jones_the_indications.php|access-date=2021-03-09|website=LAist|date=19 July 2019 }}{{Cite magazine|last1=Leight|first1=Elias|date=2019-02-21|title=Harmonies Are Out of Style. This Soul Group Is Trying to Change That|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/durand-jones-and-the-indications-american-love-call-album-796474/|access-date=2021-03-09|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|first1=Mark |last1=Alvarado Moses|date=2019-06-10|title=Durand Jones & The Indications|url=https://www.independent.com/2019/06/10/durand-jones-and-the-indications/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Santa Barbara Independent|language=en-US}} In tribute, the band released the b-side "Cruisin' to the Park" in 2019. The track was later released as a single with an accompanying music video featuring California lowriders.{{Cite web|title=Durand Jones & The Indications - Morning In America|url=https://www.coleminerecords.com/products/clmn178|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Colemine Records|language=en}} In 2021, they released a Spanish language version, "Cruisin' to the Parque," with former tourmate Y La Bamba.{{Cite web|last=Elaine|first=Zoe|date=2021-02-22|title=Tourmates Turned Collaborators: Durand Jones & the Indications and Y La Bamba deliver New Rendition "Cruisin' to the Parque"|url=https://www.grimygoods.com/2021/02/21/durand-jones-y-la-bamba-cruisin-to-the-parque/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Grimy Goods|language=en-US}}
During July and August 2018, the band recorded their second album in Brooklyn, New York and focused on developing a "vocal group sound." Their record, American Love Call, was released in March 2018.{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://durandjonesandtheindications.com/about/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Durand Jones & The Indications|language=en-US}} The band toured continuously through 2020, with Mike Montgomery joining as bassist at the end of 2019.{{Cite web|first=Jay|last=Miller|title=Review: Durand Jones and the Indications light up Boston|url=https://reading.wickedlocal.com/entertainment/20190422/review-durand-jones-and-indications-light-up-boston|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Reading Advocate|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-02|title=Durand Jones and The Indications Try to Bring the World Together at The Birchmere|url=http://thepostrider.com/durand-jones-and-the-indications-try-to-bring-the-world-together-at-the-birchmere/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=The Postrider|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=December 31, 2020|title=DJ & The Indications playing in 2019 with Mike Montgomery|url=https://twitter.com/durand_jones/status/1344785853672017922|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Twitter|language=en}} Among other singles released in 2020, the band put out a studio version of their song "Power to the People" two weeks ahead of the 2020 presidential election;{{Cite web|title=Power To The People, by Durand Jones & The Indications|url=https://durandjonesandtheindications.bandcamp.com/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Durand Jones & The Indications}} the demo version was originally released as part of the 2017 compilation Our First 100 Days.{{Cite web|date=March 5, 2017|first=Bill|last=Pearis|title=Day 45/100: Durand Jones & The Indications – "Power To The People (Demo)"|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/day-45100-durand-jones-the-indications-power-to-the-people-demo/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=BrooklynVegan|language=en}}
Recorded in January 2020, Frazer released a Dan Auerbach-produced solo album in January 2021, at which time he noted that a new Durand Jones & The Indications album was in the works.{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Seth|title=Aaron Frazer is a budding soul sensation|url=https://nuvo.newsnirvana.com/music/aaron-frazer-is-a-budding-soul-sensation/article_2896e33e-5b4a-11eb-a6fd-ef13ef573981.html|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Nuvo|date=21 January 2021 |language=en}} He previously released music under the alias The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY. Jones appeared as a guest vocalist on a number of tracks beginning in 2020, including on The Bamboos 2021 album. Of note, Rhein has worked as a researcher for The Numero Group and produced a number of reissue compilations for the label.{{Cite web|title=Durand Jones & The Indications|url=https://charlestonpourhouse.com/show/durand-jones-and-the-indications/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=Charleston Pour House|language=en-US}}
In May 2021, the band announced that their third record, Private Space, would be released July 30, 2021 and released the lead single "Witchoo". The ten track album was recorded in New York City at Diamond Mine and features a more disco and modern soul-inspired sound.{{Cite magazine|last=Mims|first=Taylor|date=May 12, 2021|title=Durand Jones & The Indications Reveal New Album With Single 'Witchoo'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9571324/durand-jones-the-indications-reveal-new-album-witchoo-single/|access-date=May 9, 2021|magazine=Billboard}} The album was written and produced by Jones, Frazer, Rhein, and Okonski with contributions from bassist Michael Montgomery as well as arrangers Ginger Dolden and Peter Lanctot, harpist Brandee Younger, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed, among others.{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Credits / Private Space / Durand Jones & the Indications|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/180981673/credits|access-date=2021-08-02|website=listen.tidal.com|language=en}}
File:Durand Jones October 2023 04.jpg
On May 5, 2023, Jones released a solo record under his own name, Wait Til I Get Over, on record label Dead Oceans. The album chronicles the history of Jones' hometown of Hillaryville, Louisiana.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Thomas |date=2023-05-04 |title=Durand Jones - 'Wait Til I Get Over' review: soul man turns to raw, rugged riffs on debut solo |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/durand-jones-wait-til-i-get-over-review-3438861 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Shahen |first=Jim |date=2023-05-03 |title=SPOTLIGHT: Durand Jones Hits Home with 'Wait Til I Get Over' |url=https://www.nodepression.com/spotlight-durand-jones-hits-home-with-wait-til-i-get-over/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=No Depression |language=en-US}}
Members
- Durand Jones – vocals (2012–present)
- Aaron Frazer – vocals, drums, percussion, synthesizer (2012–present)
- Blake Rhein – guitar, synthesizer, percussion, vocals (2012–present)
- Steve Okonski – organ, piano, synthesizer, vocals (2017–present)
- Michael Isvara Montgomery – bass, vocals (2019–present)
Former members
- Kyle Houpt – bass (2013–2019)
- Justin Hubler – organ, piano (2013–2017)
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Live albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:21em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | US Indie ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | US |
|---|
| scope="row" |Live Vol. 1
|
| 36 | 11 |
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:2em;" | Year ! scope="col" style="width:3em;" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;" | Album ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:4em;" | Format |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" |US AAA {{Cite magazine|title=Durand Jones & The Indications Chart History: Triple A|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/durand-jones-the-indications/chart-history/aaa/|access-date=2021-08-08|magazine=Billboard}} |
|---|
| scope="row" |"Smile" "Tuck 'n' Roll" | 2015 | — | rowspan="2" | Durand Jones & The Indications |45 |
| scope="row" |"Make a Change" "Is It Any Wonder?" | 2017 | — | 45 |
| scope="row" |"You and Me" (Penny & The Quarters cover) "Put a Smile on Your Face" (E.J. & The Echoes cover) | rowspan="2" |2018 | — | Durand Jones & The Indications (Deluxe Edition) | 45, digital |
| scope="row" |"Don't You Know"
| — | rowspan="5" |American Love Call | digital |
| scope="row" |"True Love" "Don't You Know" | rowspan="5" |2019 | — | 45 |
| scope="row" |"Long Way Home"
| — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Morning in America"
| — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Morning in America" "Cruisin' to the Park" | — | 45 |
| scope="row" |"Cruisin' to the Park"
| — | rowspan="5" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} | digital |
| scope="row" |"Young Americans (David Bowie cover)
| rowspan="3" |2020 | — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Never Heard 'Em Say"
| — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Power to the People"
| — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Cruisin' to the Park" (featuring Y La Bamba)
| rowspan="5" |2021 | — | digital |
| scope="row" |"Witchoo"
| 22 | rowspan="4" |Private Space | digital |
| scope="row" |"Witchoo" "Love Will Work It Out" | — | 45 |
| scope="row" |"Love Will Work It Out"
| — | digital |
| scope="row" |"The Way That I Do"
| — | digital |
| colspan="5" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Awards !Category !Nominated work !Result |
| 2019
| rowspan="2" |Libera Awards | rowspan="2" |Best R&B Album |Durand Jones & The Indications | {{nom}} |
| 2020
|American Love Call | {{nom}} |
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Durand Jones and The Indications}}
Category:American soul musical groups