LITVAR
Litvar is an American indie rock band formed in Willimantic, Connecticut and is made up of Rex Thurstan (he/they), Violet Falkowski (she/they) and Joe Lemieux (he/they).
Litvar’s early beginnings come from the childhood friendship of Rex and Violet, who have been playing and writing music together since high school. While working together as songwriters in various bands and projects, they met Joe at a local Connecticut show at a VFW in 2019. Upon meeting, Joe immediately asked to be Rex and Violet’s drummer, and he started playing shows with them in the local music scene.
When Covid hit in early 2020, Joe and Rex were living together in Willimantic, and started working on a collection of songs that became the debut album of a new band, Litvar. The duo released the single ‘Hi I’m Andy’ in May 2020, and quickly started developing a cult fanbase, amassing over 100,000 streams and building a loyal online following.The full album, “The Greatest Movie of All Time” followed in September, catching the eye of indie label Mother West. Litvar signed to Mother West in October 2020, and re-released ‘The Greatest Movie of All Time” on Vinyl, followed by a radio campaign that saw the record reaching #193 on the NACC charts.
In early 2021, seeing the need to prepare for new music and live shows, Rex and Joe brought Violet into the band as a third songwriter and bass player. Throughout 2021 the trio toured extensively, playing over 30 shows across the United States, including a West Coast tour in October.
Returning from tour, the band started rehearsals for their first proper studio record, ‘Eloquently Aimless’, to be produced by Charles Newman (The Magnetic Fields). In February of 2022, Litvar drove cross country to New Monkey Studio in Los Angeles, the former studio of the late Elliot Smith, recording on a 1970’s Trident A Range console.
After recording the record, Litvar embarked on a tour back home across the country, including a tour stop at South by Southwest. Before heading home in April, the band also recorded the one off single ‘No One Tastes Like You’ with Wolfgang Zimmerman, producer of Band of Horses, and shot a music video with Award winning film director Alejandro Montoya Marin (The Wrong Guy, Millennium Bugs, Rebel without a Crew).
The Summer of 2022 saw Litvar playing even more shows to promote the release of ‘No One Tastes Like You’, but they now have their eyes set on the release of their new record. Written over the course of 2020 and 2021, many of the songs were created while on the road touring in support of ‘The Greatest Movie of All Time’, including the first single, ‘You Should Find a New Boyfriend’. A lowkey indie pop track in the first half, ‘Boyfriend’ explodes at 1:39, playing into the bands strengths of huge choruses with massive hooks.
Litvar is continuing to tour in support of their upcoming album, Eloquently Aimless.
PRESS
"They really take their time building up the layers of sparkling beats and simmering angst in the lyrics. All of a sudden though, the track rapidly transforms into a hedonistic rock anthem as they give way to all of those complex emotions. It’s a really stunning effort from these newcomers from the little heard of town of Willimantic in Connecticut." - Unrecorded
"I said this song was unexpected and that's because I was already vibing along with the sweet indie/pop sounds of this song's first half, but then I was absolutely blown away by the fury of its second half. Around the halfway point, Litvar's single turns into a huge indie/rock tune with a sing-along chorus, "You’ll meet the one, / find yourself, / make a child, / and move on / (you should find a new boyfriend, you should find a new boyfriend)". These words are still ringing in my head as I write up my thoughts and that's a surefire sign of good songwriting. Litvar are a one to watch." - Get It Shared
"It also doesn’t hurt that they’re electrifying in concert. They’ve overcome the challenges of isolation and toured widely, and with each show, they’ve grown a little tighter, a little louder, and a little closer. The Litvar that recorded “No One Tastes Like You” is a chosen family in the truest sense — and from the first downstroke to the last cymbal crash, they sound ferociously together." - Indie Music
"Litvar’s music is stellar, but what drew me to the band was their ability to tell a story. The album follows characters Andy and Beverly, and allows listeners to experience their doomed relationship. The songs aren’t just derived from the lives of a fictitious cast, but also represent the artists’ battles with anxiety, depression and addictions. Listeners can find solace within this personal album; it’s definitely an album that many can relate to." - Mia Nguyen
"While the opening (of You Should Find a New Boyfriend) is a charming, elegant flow of music, for me the real power comes through when the sound changes pace. Showcasing innovativeness and versatility in this transition, Litvar proves they are no one-trick pony." - The Other Side Reviews
"Undoubtedly, the hidden gem of this track lies at the 1:36 minute mark, where the elements flip into a wondrous eruption of sound and emotion. Litvar play on dynamics to evoke shock and delight. The musical take-off illustrates a rebellion, a desperate need for escape. In response, the vocal tone becomes enveloping and warm, and later lightens back up in the third section, where ‘You Should Find A New Boyfriend’ truly becomes an anthem you will not be able to stop reciting." - Turtle Tempo
"The band obviously have a lot of brilliant and inventive musical ideas, the track has a real sense of creativity and of enjoyment. It’s a joy to listen to and has hidden depth beneath it’s youthful, teenage angsty exterior." - Backseat Mafia