The very awesome and cinematic LA shoegaze band, Osnova, have released a dreamy new single with “Climbing Dues.” Musically on this song Osnova weaves delicate textures and accents those with interesting melodies which then are balanced out by the sweeping vocals that accentuate the dreaminess of the song and feeling. Osnova are one of the LA bands that I’ve been watching for sometime now and I’m enjoying each and every song they put out. Their live shows are captivating in the way the music draws you in and it leaves you with a feather light feeling after. 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for Osnova, so do stay tuned to what they have coming up!
A couple months back, I ventured out to an old familiar spot I used to frequent in Hollywood, Boardners, to go see my friends in The Baby Goats during their residency for Club Decades. If you haven’t seen The Baby Goats live, I suggest you do, they are “Fun As Fuck.” No joke, they are seriously one of the most fun, entertaining live bands in Los Angeles. It was on this night that I saw a band before them that caught my attention. As they played, I kept getting more and more drawn into their dreamy soundscapes and shoegaze vibes. With that in mind, allow me to introduce you to Osnova.
The origins of Osonovo began in 2018 as former music journalist and DJ at KXLU FM in Los Angeles, Jean- Claude Vorgeack (aka JC) went looking for a drummer and Sam Ribeyro answered the call. The two would spend time bringing life to JC’s home recording demos throughout the pandemic. It wasn’t until July of 2022 that the final piece was found in vocalist Caroline McLaughlin. With the final puzzle piece in place, Osnova could now begin to hone their sound. Their sound is dreamy and cinematic with bits of shoegaze and alternative rock that all together create an atmospheric yet edgy style that stands out amongst the other shoegaze bands of their ilk. The band released its self-titled debut EP in fall of 2022, and finally made their live debut in November of the same year to a rapturous audience. Osnova has continued to find favor in the Los Angeles dark and dreamy music scene and has now partnered with LA record label Dune Altar (one of the best Indie Labels around) for the release of their latest single “OCTAVIAN,” which is otherworldly!
I’m sure we’ve all heard albums that have left a last impression on ones self. Sometimes these albums take us to different places be it in our minds, imaginations, etc. Then there are times when an album comes out that hits you at the right moment in all the right ways and it makes it feel like everything will be ok because of that album. A couple months back the band Iress, released the song “Ricochet” off their now released and utterly spellbinding and superb EP, Solace. The moment I heard that song, I knew there was something more to it than just a “dark/moody vibe.” What I found was a band that sonically devastates while at the same time draws you in seductively. Iress’s new EP, Solace is a piece of art and music that hypnotizes you while the words and vocals crawl under your skin and gives you the type of chills that you might find when you reach that moment of clarity. The life that these songs breathe is astounding. One of the most intriguing factors about Iress is their ability to utilize atmosphere and space to balance out the heavy nature of the songs. It’s a feeling you will notice as you listen. Through all the darkness on these songs, the hope and light found throughout is breathtaking. The depths these songs take you and the place it leaves you in the end is the light at the end of the tunnel. Fronted by Michelle Malley (aka The Adele Of Doom) her vocals and guitar take you on quite a journey of love, loss, pain, and anguish all while the band Graham Walker (guitar), Michael Maldonado (bass) and Glenn Chu (drums) create the soundtrack to all this and add the right sonic elements the leaves you breathless. Another aspect that makes this release so damn good is the production. Producer/Engineer/Mixer Alex Estrada (Touche Amore, Joyce Manor, etc) makes this all come to life by capturing the raw and emotional charged performances of each member. There is no mistaking the magnitude that Iress puts out and with this EP it’s not even close to where their potential lays. I personally can’t wait to hear what else this band does and goes musically. Solace is not just a superb release, it’s my favorite release of 2023. Congratulations to all involved in the creation and release of this masterful EP. Iress is here and they are coming for you! You can pick up your copy of the EP now via the one and only Dune Altar Records (one of the best indie labels around)!
Every year there are always a handful of albums I eager anticipate. One of the albums I am most eager to be released this year is the Solace EP from the wonderful, Iress. From the first moment I heard this band, I knew I was in for something special. When you listen to Iress, there is this vibe that overtakes you it becomes something more. Their first single off this EP “Ricochet” has been in constant rotation for me and now their newest release “Blush” is right up there as well. Both songs are astonishing and hypnotic. The way these songs hit at the right moments draws you in and never lets go. I love when I hear a band that has all the right pieces and the end result is something that is not only powerful but, it connects on a whole other level. Iress is a band that is not only great for now but, for the future, as I can tell that their evolution as a band is only going to get bigger and better from here.
I remember the first time I heard the term shoegaze. It was around the time that The Smashing Pumpkins released Siamese Dream and all these reviews I read and interviews kept referring to this new sub-genre called “shoegaze.” I thought what a strange term for a genre of music. Then it was explained to me (keep in mind I was only 7 or 8 when Siamese came out) and it made sense. Then later on I was exposed to the great My Bloody Valentine album, Loveless, and that’s when I truly found my deep fondness for shoegaze. Over the years the sub-genre has grown to include other elements from different genre’s making it quite a trip to listen to. There is one band that has combined shoegaze with dream pop, indie rock and a tinge of 90’s alternative rock that has captivated me. Allow me to introduce you to Powder Pink and Sweet. The band was formed in 2016 by the eclectic Cris Verso. And through the years since, Powder Pink and Sweet have carefully crafted a batch of hypnotic, dreamy and lush songs. Their upcoming EP, Little Stories, captures all the above and then some. The first single “Slightly Hopefull” is a dreamy and contemplative tune that provides quite the escape from the harsh realities of the COVID lockdown. Little Stories will be released Friday November 4th.
It’s always exciting when bands you really enjoy but, haven’t heard from in a while release new music. Especially when the new music that is released is THIS good. Glaare have released “Mirrors” the first song and video from their very anticipated forthcoming album, Your Hellbound Heart. This darkwave, dream pop and goth-rock band from Los Angeles has been leaving quite a mark since their inception and their 2017 album, To Deaf and Day, is one of the best albums in the genre in the last decade. So, it comes as no surprise here that, on this new track, Glaare picks up where they left off but have added more compelling elements to really drive home their style and sound.
AUDIOECLECTICA 