The LA sextet imbues their vibrant kitchen sink music with elements of gypsy, indie rock, roots, rockabilly, cabaret blues and folk pop. The musician-vagabonds are led by siblings Robert and Rachel Kolar (on guitar and percs, respectively), who harmonize and trade-off on vocal duties. Adding to the instrumental arrangements are tap dancing percussionista Lauren Brown, upright bass player Oliver "Oliwa" Newell, cellist Satya Bhabha, and lap steel guitar slinger Aaron Robinson, his sliding technique bringing a mournful element to their infectious, upbeat sound.
The band just finished recording their debut full-length with Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers, Vetiver, # Devendra Banhart), and is currently raising funds on Pledgemusic.com to pay for buy a new tour van so they can support said record, which is due out in April. Donate here.
Listen to and download "Escape Tonight" below.
Watch the new official video for "Touch The Lightning" below.
And finally, check out the video used by SXSW to promote the band's 2012 SXSW showcase, filmed on the road over multiple nights the last few months...
TROPICAL HEATWAVE DETAILS: Sat., May 12, 4:30-1 a.m., Centennial Park, Collage Ybor, Crowbar, New World Brewery, The Bricks, Orpheum, The Cuban Club, The Ritz, The Roosevelt 2.0, CL Space, El Pasaje Plaza, Ybor City, $30 adults advance/$40 at the door ($12 youths ages 12-20, available by phone or in-person only). Click here to buy online or call 813-238-8001. Stay tuned for further picks from CL along with our own page featuring details about the fest, its performers, stages and schedule...
Local community-funded radio station WMNF brings a mass of local, national and regional talent to Ybor City every year for a multi-venue genre-crossing music fest, Tropical Heatwave. We're counting down the weeks leading up to the 31st annual event — set to occur on Saturday, May 12 — and encompassing 13 stages and more than 60 performers — by featuring our top 10 favorite acts, the ones you can count on to bring the fire to this year's Heatwave. Check out last week's pick here.
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