It isn’t often that Winnipeg makes a name for itself among bands from out of town, especially those from across the border. However, the excitement and buzz surrounding the return of the Winnipeg Jets has certainly reached Kip Berman, lead singer and guitarist for New York indie pop darlings The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

“It’s been a while in the making. Congratulations on getting the Jets back,” Berman says over the phone from his home in Brooklyn. “Did the uniforms come out now?”

Berman’s got a few non-hockey-related reasons to be excited as well. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart recently released its second full-length album, Belong, to strong reviews and growing recognition across North America.

In fact, the band, which also includes Peggy Wang, Alex Naidus, Kurt Feldman and Christoph Hochheim, has been touring hard on the strength of the album since the beginning of the year; they’ve played shows all over the States, Europe and Brazil, as well as huge festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza and Osheaga.

Berman says the band has had some amazing audiences throughout the year.

“All that you can really hope for is that enough people like the album so that you can play shows,” Berman says. “The most important things is that people enjoy the music live. We’re finally getting the chance to tour places we haven’t been to. Some places have been cursed by where they are and (this) area of Canada is difficult to tour because of the location.”

In addition, Berman is quick to single out the Osheaga festival in Montreal for its hospitality and top-notch food, which was unparalleled at any concert or festival he had ever been to.

He also speaks to how The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s sound has progressed since the recording and release of its self-titled debut, while still continuing in a sound based around an indie pop background.

Often compared to the Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish and Siamese Dream era, the band is definitely defining its own sound.

“Loud and frail at the same time, a lot of heavy guitars and not a lot of screaming” is how Berman describes the major shift between the two records.

“You see the other guys in other bands who can scream, I’m definitely not able to do it.”

Berman is quick with a glowing endorsement for the opening group, Big Troubles, who hail from New Jersey.

“(It’s) always fun to tour with another good band, because you have to see them play every night for a month,” he says.

Published in Volume 66, Number 4 of The Uniter (September 22, 2011)