What separates The Domestics from the escapism of so many other indie pop acts is the fearlessness with which Michael Finn and Leo London confront their own pain. London’s birth parents both battled with drug addiction in his early childhood before he was adopted by his grandparents at the age of two. Finn’s trials came later on, struggling with health issues, depression and dependency in his early adult years. Writing in the aftermath of infidelity, mental illness, substance abuse and child abuse, Finn and London have wrought songs as moving as they are catchy and as honest as they are loud. What The Domestics provide that so many other bands do not is something which all listeners can relate to: vulnerability.
Long before they decided to join forces as The Domestics, Finn and London each spent years honing their craft as individual songwriters. After moving to Portland in the summer of 2013 after over a decade of writing and performing under his own name in Eugene, London found himself tracking piano for Finn at Flora Recording and Playback, studio of Grammy-Nominated producer Tucker Martine where Finn works as an assistant engineer alongside artists like My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, Neko Case, and Sufjan Stevens. This first studio collaboration began a relationship which would eventually lead to the combination of Finn and London’s respective solo projects and to the recording of their first record over 15 days in the spring of 2014.
Less than a year after assembling a live band, The Domestics have triumphantly emerged as one of Portland’s most promising new acts. Their energetic live shows, as well as the strength of their forthcoming debut record have garnered them a dedicated fan base and maelstrom of critical attention. The Domestics are: Michael Finn, Leo London, Kyle Moderhak, Matt Moore, and Brad Norton.
