Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

The Mating Game

Diablo Cody herself couldn’t script a quirkier indie rom-com than the real-life story behind Mates of State. The indie-pop duo met in the late 1990s in Lawrence, Kan., formed a band, fell in love — in that order — and became one of the most talked about underground acts of the early ’00s. Now married with children, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel are making their best music yet, as evidenced by their widely acclaimed 2008 effort Re-Arrange Us. On Wednesday, February 17, they’ll appear at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge with New Haven psych-pop outfit M.T. Bearington and local twee faves The Smittens.