PREMIERE | FINE. '(W)HOLE'
Fervance, fury and the fantastic world of FINE. (photographed by Frankie Ferrari)
The quest to feel complete and content is an elusive adventure and opaque endeavor. The world we inhabit is ever changing, just as we are always experiencing nonstop states of change. Goals are modified, the dreams that we witness are full of many chapters and sequences, wants are subject to change, just as our needs are not static demands set in tablets of permanent stone. If completeness as a concept is a myth, then there must be certain points of contentment. Places of mind, sacred spaces in our community, moments of kismet with those we love, connections we never thought we could make, the hallmarks that make the duress of living in these mortal coils in a wounded world worthwhile. The fleeting chances where vision, breath, nervous system, spirit and senses align like the constellations in ways that feel almost otherworldly. Feel new. Feel refreshed in ways where burdens and stressors evaporate like water vapors dancing within the liminal ether of the air. There is a peace in this continuous dance. Like the molecules and cells that compose us as living entities, ever moving, shifting and regenerating in states of unlimited motion that make up our individual states of being.
This and so much more are part of the driving engine of the visceral, vulnerable and venerable album of ambition and actualization (W)HOLE from Providence, RI band FINE. A basement pop project that began with Iz Dungan and Ly Barber, turned trio with the addition of bassist Betty Amrhein together create queer positive sonic symphonies that orchestrate exuberance and unflinching honesty through unrelenting energetic audio arts. On the immediate surface it might appear that FINE. are following the alternative rock playbooks from your favorite hedonistic heroes from the vintage terrestrial radio dials, but upon a closer listen they have made a record for our current time. Iz, Ly and Betty pour out the contents of fallen soldiers from all of yesterday’s parties, symbols of remembrance of liberties lost in the faces of our world’s acrimonious attacks on trans people, tributes to those that are no longer with us, motions to make more inclusive communities both in our front and backyards and harnessing a thunderous sound that makes melodic moves towards the infinite skies. Harmonically sailing through the stratospheric levels of skronk, FINE. introduces (W)HOLE with the following preface:
The album title is a sentiment to what living with long-term grief feels like. this record assesses how to find healthy, complete paths to hope and healing as a trans person in the world today feels like.
FINE. welcomes you to witness and experience (W)HOLE in its entirety. A record in name that paradoxically hints from the parenthetical encapsulation of the letter W toward both an allusion to completeness and a cavity, a full presence and absence, a completeness and a depression all at the same time. The instrumental "Intro" gently coasts like a plane onto the radiant runway of "New Year's Day" that kicks the album into full gear. Start the new year with a bang, Iz intonates with grit and determination, I couldn't waste it, I couldn't face it, I couldn't get out of bed, wasting my time instead. FINE. focuses on volition and volatility with unrelenting volume, everything that plagues the consciousness and causes the insomnia that keeps us up all night. The three conjure a sound that swirls and spirals magnificently like a meteorological phenomenon that hits the heart and head hard on moving ballads like the dream drenched machine of "Yellow and Pink", to the emotive embrace of "Welcome Home" that emanates with a special sense of peace and a sanctuary of place. "Indigo" swoons and soars with pure invigorated passions and serves as a distillation of the group's unapologetic, empathetic and untethered sensationalism.
Heartbreaking beauty unbound can be felt on the shifting needs of "Minerals", as "Peaks" is a determined romantic journey to the heart of the sun that stays with you, as "LSP" ties the previous two tracks together with heart that continues its flight toward new experiences and realized identities. "Glowboy" glimmers, blisters, and shines bold and bright far beyond the binary horizon, as "Outro" closes out the album with Iz's moving refrain of, in order to find you I need to be found. (W)HOLE is about the journey, how we find ourselves, how we find one another, how we learn to love ourselves, and how we learn to love others. The message is love, a love that transcends, and a love that is endearing and unique to each and everyone of us is in this paradigm called life.
Iz checking the monitors; photographed by Thea Sheehan.
Iz from FINE. shared some exclusive reflective thoughts in the following exchange:
The stylistic and sentimental considerations that guide the sounds and sensibilities of FINE.
Stylistically FINE. has always been a morphing and organic project. We didn't set out with a vision of our sound, over time it found us. We just wanted to be loud. As far as sentimental considerations go, the spectrum is wide. Most of all it's finding kindness toward one's self, and others, under the duress of loss, grief, and impact. Both personal and the world.
Thoughts on how to find and feel a sense of completeness in an incomplete world.
Completeness I find to be a volatile word. I say this because actions and thoughts that invoke a sense of completeness aren't usually permanent. I find impermanence to be relieving in many ways though. It makes me worry less about owning and keeping, and aids me in being present, thankful, and more at peace living in this incomplete world.
FINE. in session; photographed by Thea Sheehan.
Outlets that offer inspiration, hope, renewal and respite.
Finding a way to meditate offers all of these things to me. I'm not sure if meditating is the right term to use but really what I mean is finding something that allows you to turn your (anxiety) brain off and positively focus. For me this comes in the form of rock climbing, surfing, and playing music.
Notes on how to achieve and/or maintain mindfulness in a world that is often in the throes of madness.
Some of the things I mentioned in the last question apply to this but if I can add one more thing is to tell the people you love that you love them. Give people their roses while they're still here. A loving community is everything.
FINE. coming out of their cage and feeling just fine; photographed by Thea Sheehan.
Insights on how to build better communities and bolster our communities at home.
Don't police each other! Don't yuck other peoples yum! We're all different, we need different things and want different things. Making people feel safe and accepted is, in my opinion, the most important part of building and maintaining community.
Local Providence, RI folx doing amazing things.
Providence is a ripe peach. There are countless amazing, beautiful and talented people in this city. I am honored to call it my home.