By: Toni Tiemann

The Districts were wildcards in the indie music scene last year – coming out of left field with their gripping live performances and thoughtfully crafted studio recordings. The group has been compared on numerous accounts to Modest Mouse for their powerful breakdowns and emotionally driven energetic live performances. The parallels don’t end there. Like Modest Mouse, capsule The Districts got their start straight out of high school, remedy performing their initial claim to fame in a HotBox Studios session of their song, viagra sale “Funeral Beds,” while they were still seniors.

The Districts have had a wild ride since then – signing to Fat Possum records to release their first full-length, Telephone; touring with the likes of Dr. Dog, White Denim, and now their label-mates Temples; and taking over last summer’s festival circuit, even making an appearance at May’s Boston Calling the same day as, you guessed it, Modest Mouse. Hailing from just outside of Philadelphia, the indie rock darlings have certainly made a splash in 2014.

The Districts are making their way back to Boston this Friday to open for Temples at Paradise Rock Club, but first, lead vocalist/guitarist Rob Grote took the time to tell me what it was like to become a professional musician out of high school and where they can’t wait to eat while they’re here.

Allston Pudding: So you just started your tour with Temples. How’s that going?

Rob Grote: Oh, hey, yeah we only had one show together on Saturday and then tonight we’re playing Houston, which is the second show with them. But yeah, it’s been cool. They’re nice guys.

AP: So as such young musicians, what was it like venturing off on tours straight out of high school when most of your peers were going off to college or 9-5 careers?

RG: Definitely exciting. It’s been really fun and stuff. Yeah, it kind of was just different, like you said, than what a lot of our friends did, but it was what we wanted to do for quite a while. So it just kind of felt right, for sure. Yeah, it feels like we’re doing the right thing. You know?

AP: Yeah, so were all of your friends and family supportive of that decision?

RG: Yeah, for the most part. Our families were all definitely super supportive and they like the music and stuff. Our friends too.

AP: What are some of the perks of being new musicians?

RG: You get to do what you love, which is awesome. I love traveling, so traveling being your job is pretty awesome.

AP: What’s been your favorite place to travel so far on tour?

RG: Hm, favorite place. San Francisco is awesome and London is really cool. I’d say those are my favorites.

AP: Cool, and what stop on the tour are you most excited for this time around?

RG: Well we’re playing Montreal, which is cool. We’ve gone to Montreal on days off and stuff, but we’ve never played there.

AP: So your guitarist left the band over the summer to go to college. How’s that transition been?

RG: It’s been pretty good. We knew he was leaving a while before he did. He told us. So we started practicing with Pat, our guitar player, a while before hand and it’s been going well. Pat’s a great guy, great guitar player, fun man.

AP: Did you know him before that?

RG: Yeah. We had played with his band (Keepers) a couple of times before and we went from there.

AP: So what does that mean for his other band?

RG: I mean, I don’t want this to sound like this happened because of us, but they broke up a little while ago. That was kind of coming to an end anyways so it worked out timing-wise.

AP: So you’ve played Boston a few times now. How’s the crowd here compared to some other cities you’ve been to?

RG: I like it a lot! I think the last time we played there was Boston Calling, which was awesome. It was really fun. The people seem really cool there and it’s an awesome city. It’s a fun place to go, I definitely like it a lot.

AP: Cool. So, when you were in Boston opening for White Denim, you told me that all you cared about seeing was Harvard University. Next time you come, is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to?

RG: Well, we went to the Friendly Toast last time we were there and we’ll definitely go there again. That was awesome (laughs).

AP: I imagine there’s a lot of travel and waiting time while you’re on tour. What have you guys been listening to on your tour soundtrack?

RG: Ou, um, what have we been listening to? We’ve been listening to the Eastbound and Down soundtrack, which is good. We listen to The Walkmen. What else? I’m listening to Cat Stevens today, which is awesome. Alan Green. We’ve got a good mix up in here, a little light.

AP: So you’re known for your high-energy, wild live performances. Is that something you take into consideration when you’re writing new material?

RG: Not especially. I think that’s something that kind of just had happened over time. The energy side of it, I guess. I think it’s kind of a natural thing that happens when we play live. We kind of write a song and then things take its own shape with playing live and how that energy influences the song afterwards, if that makes sense.

TT: Yeah, definitely. So last question for you – what can we expect next from The Districts?

RG: Well, we have a new album planned for not too far in the future. It will be coming out before too long. Yeah, just playing shows and whatnot. Doing it up. Can’t wait to get the new album out.