The Division Men - Portobello Rock Club, Caen november 3rd 2019

The Division Men is a Texan duo formed in... Berlin in 2008. J. Spencer Portillo sings and plays guitar and Caroline Rippy Portillo sings and plays bass. The duo is based in Austin, Texas. The name The Division Men is derived from the idea of artists collaborating around the world despite their location. Spencer and Caroline offer an indie, romantic and ethereal folk, based on their voices and beautiful melodies.

Video of Dying To Get By

The Division Men is on tour all over Europe to promote their splendid album Niños del Sol. And this Sunday, November 3, they stopped at the Portobello Rock Club in Caen. As opening, it is Fabien B. Winfield, the former singer-guitarist of hard rock band Winfield, who alone with his acoustic guitar and some electronic arrangements has gaily ambianced the room for more than 30 minutes. Radical change of style for Fabien who goes from a wild rock to a folk made of covers to his own style. He takes songs from Winfield and offers covers such as the amazing Gimme Shelter of the Rolling Stones. And the guy is doing very well. A clean set, fresh, friendly and very well worked. To be followed.

Then, our two Texans settle on the front of the stage with bass for Caroline and acoustic guitar for Spencer. The current goes immediately with the public (too thin, unfortunately). From the first title (Niños del Sol), we are dazzled by the voices of Spencer and Caroline and by the sober and precious arrangements that the duo proposes. My attention will never diminish during the Texan set. Caroline has a pure crystal voice and Spencer has that deeper voice that smells of Texan and Mexican desert sand and plains.

Video of Heaven Knows Why

The texts are serious but talk about the vagaries of life, alcohol, drugs, emotions, love, death, addictions, goodbyes ... But these serious subjects do not prevent the smiles and even the laughter when Spencer tries French. The intention was there but apparently not the accent.

An hour passed in their company (too short) and their songs from their latest album Niños del Sol and their other album Under The Gun. And they took the time after concert to discuss, sign the records and take pictures. They are touring all over Europe and still have a lot of dates in France. Be careful if they pass near you. Their ethereal folk will delight you, I'm sure.

Video of Niños del Sol

SETLIST :

Niños Del Sol, Under The Gun, Marionette, Criminal , Lay It Down, Lost Highway, Love and Loathe, Heaven Knows, Why, Dying to Get By