DeVotchKa's Nick Urata on the romance and dichotomy of Valentine's Day

I guess one of my favorite memories is kind of personal... We have a very large and gregarious sound guy that travels with us, and one year he dressed up like Cupid for us -- in a loincloth and nothing else -- and shot arrows at the crowd. I'm hoping he does it again this year... The only thing is, he might not be available [to tour with us], but that's the only thing that would hold him back.

A lot of DeVotchKa's music can get pretty heavy. 100 Lovers was romantic in a sweeping, epic kind of way--not the candy hearts and butterflies kind of way. Is this going to be a show for the jilted lovers or for the couples?

You know what, I think it's for both... And First Ave is kind of funny because we actually had someone propose to his girl the last time we were there. I'm sure this happens to a lot of other bands, and we always get letters and cards that say, "I met my betrothed at your show," and that's part of it. We get those kinds of things all the time. We're bringing people together! [The show is] not only a good place to bring people you already love, but to also meet people.

DeVotchKa. 18+, $25, 9 p.m. on Friday, February 15 at First Avenue. Click here.