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By John Norris @jonnynono

"We're a part of that 'other stuff'" declares Devin Therriault, who despite being from Brooklyn, is under no delusions that the power pop sound of his eponymous band--the sound captured on his album Romancing, released this past spring on Frenchkiss--is in any way what currently passes for BK trendy. Nor does he have any desire for it to be. "We're not an indie band", he tells Noisevox in this week's edition of Face Time, "whatever that even means. We just happen to be on an indie label."

Unlike the thousands who migrate to Brooklyn to in many cases ape a fashionable style, Therriault is that much rarer of breeds: a native Brooklynite. So it was fitting that we caught up with him and his band mates, bassist Steve Jewett and drummer Angus Tarnawsky, at New York's 4 Knots Music Festival, with the Brooklyn Bridge in the corner of our frame and Kings County looming in the distance. Devin recalled for us growing up in Brooklyn Heights, and going on a musical evolution that took him from early dreams up being an RnB singer to an eventual embrace of a garage/rave up sound that is often tagged (to his annoyance) as "retro". He also shares how a warehouse manager's job in Red Hook allowed him to literally write and record much of Romancing during his down time, which apparently there was plenty of.

You'll see the stylish black and white video for Devin's fiery hit "Masochist", hear how the band has gotten particular traction in the UK and Australia, and hear about plans for a second album, which Devin plans to have out "soon". And as for being trendy or not, Tasmanian transplant Tarnawsky may offer the best advice. While conceding that Brooklyn may have come to represent what for some people is "cool", he says, "I just wish more people would listen to their 'inner cool'". 

Finally, some actual news was made during our interview, when just across Pier 17, in front of the shops of South Street Seaport, a sizeable fire broke out. The FDNY boats were called in, order was restored, and no one was hurt, but it made for an even more memorable 4 Knots. 

Smoke, fire and a young rock n roll hotshot. This week on Face Time, it's Devin.