Fan

Meric Long of the Dodos introduced FAN as his solo vehicle, layering synthesizer textures over the unbalanced indie guitar rock already tied to his band work. The project took shape during a break that came after Individ, the 2015 release that served as Long’s sixth Dodos album alongside drummer Logan Kroeber. While pausing to process his father’s death and the arrival of his first child, Long revisited early influences including Brian Eno and Devo after receiving two synthesizers left to him by his father. He gradually assembled the solo recordings wherever time allowed, moving between Galicia, Spain, Portland, Oregon, and after-hours sessions inside his soundproofed garage in Oakland, California. Titled Barton's Den for both the garage and his middle name, the album was self-produced and issued by Polyvinyl Records in 2018, with Ji Tanzer supplying the only outside contribution on live drums.