Pennsylvania-based indie rockers the Juliana Theory will release their third full-length set, titled Love, on October 22nd. The album will be the band's first for Epic/Sony, after two earlier releases for Seattle independent Tooth and Nail.

According to frontman Brett Detar, the upcoming album is the result of an "organic progression" for the band -- from the lighter emo-pop of their first albums to denser, well-crafted rock. "It's better songwriting and better performances," he says. "We recorded something this time that actually matches the energy of our live shows, which we'd never been able to do. Some of the stuff we've done in the past has tended to sound a little sterile on recordings, and that's not the case at all on this one."

Detar credits former Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison -- who produced the set -- and veteran engineer Dave Schiffman for the band's more mature sound. "I had never really considered myself a 'singer,'" Detar says. "They helped push my voice and delivery further, and to sing lines as opposed to just play the part. It made the music more expressive and emotional."

"We went through the normal process of trying to find a producer," Detar says of the band's decision to work with Harrison, "and Jerry seemed to have more enthusiasm for the band than anyone else we were talking to. He came to see us more than anyone else, called more often, and we figured that his passion would definitely pay off in the end, and it really did."

The Juliana Theory will add dates to their current tour, which is currently scheduled through an August 13th stop in Seattle. "We'll be on the road non-stop until Christmas," Detar says.

The Juliana Theory tour dates:

7/16: Philadelphia, The Trocadero
7/17: Boston, Axis
7/18: New York City, Bowery Ballroom
8/2: Detroit, Comerica Park
8/3: Toronto, Opera House
8/4: Buffalo, NY, Showcase Theater
8/6: Grand Rapids, MI, The Intersection
8/7: Chicago, Metro
8/8: Freeport, IL, Klub Phenomenon
8/10: Denver, Bluebird Theater
8/13: Seattle, Showbox

AUGUSTIN SEDGERWICK
(July 16, 2002)