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La Luz (band)

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La Luz
La Luz performing live
Performing on tour in 2015
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, United States
GenresIndie Rock, Surf music, Doo-wop, Neo-psychedelia
Years active2012–present
LabelsHardly Art, Burger Records, Sub Pop
Members
Past members
  • Alice Sandahl
  • Lena Simon
  • Marian Li Pino
  • Abbey Blackwell
Websitelaluzband.com

La Luz is an American rock band from Seattle, founded in 2012 by Shana Cleveland, Marian Li Pino, Alice Sandahl, and Abbey Blackwell. La Luz has received critical acclaim following the release of four studio albums on Hardly Art: It's Alive, Weirdo Shrine,[1] Floating Features,[2] the self-titled La Luz[3] and News of the Universe on Sub Pop.

La Luz is known for their "surf noir" style, with layered vocal harmonies.[4] Their energetic live shows often include Soul Train-inspired dance contests and crowd surfing.[5]

History

[edit]
A Shana Cleveland
La Luz performing in New Orleans

Shana Cleveland and Marian Li Pino (former members of Seattle band The Curious Mystery) formed La Luz in Seattle, Washington, with Alice Sandahl and bassist Abbey Blackwell after being inspired by surf and rock and roll acts like Link Wray, The Ventures, and Dick Dale, as well as girl groups like The Shirelles.[6][7] The band name comes from the Spanish for "the light".[8] Cleveland has cited Japanese guitar player Takeshi Terauchi as her biggest guitar influence.[9] After releasing an EP titled Damp Face in 2012, La Luz signed with Hardly Art. They released their first full-length album, It's Alive, on Hardly Art in October 2013.

On tour supporting of Montreal, La Luz was involved in a serious automobile accident on November 5, 2013, while traveling from Boise, Idaho, to Seattle, when their tour van slipped on black ice. After crashing into a highway divider, the van was hit by a semi-trailer truck.[10] Band members sustained injuries, and all of the instruments and merchandise were destroyed with the tour van and trailer, forcing them to cancel the remainder of the tour.[11]

In February 2014, bassist Abbey Blackwell left the group,[12] and was replaced by Lena Simon.[13] In August 2015, La Luz released their second album, Weirdo Shrine, again through Hardly Art. Produced by Ty Segall, the album was more live-sounding than previous efforts, and featured heavy fuzz guitar.[14][15][16] Weirdo Shrine received positive reviews in The Guardian, Pitchfork,[17][18] and The New York Times, and the group embarked on an international tour to support its release. They moved from Seattle to Los Angeles later that year.[19][20]

In February 2024, Alice Sandahl announced her departure from the band [21] and that she was being replaced by musician and producer Maryam Qudus, who has previously performed under the name Spacemoth.[22] Near this time, Lena Simon was replaced by Lee Johnson on bass guitar. These lineup changes (especially with Maryam Qudus) allowed the band to develop its music style, using electronic effects and arpeggiators in some songs. The next album, News of the Universe, was released in May 24 later that year by Sub Pop.

Band members

[edit]

Current

  • Shana Cleveland – guitar, lead vocals (2012–present)
  • Audrey Johnson – drums, backing vocals (2021–present)
  • Maryam Qudus – keyboard, backing vocals (2024–present)
  • Lee Johnson – bass, backing vocals (2024–present)

Former

  • Alice Sandahl – keyboard, backing vocals (2012–2024)
  • Lena Simon – bass, backing vocals (2014–2024)
  • Marian Li Pino – drums, backing vocals (2012–2019)
  • Abbey Blackwell – bass, backing vocals (2012–2014)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
DL 		UK
RS 		UK
Indie 		UK
Indie Br
It's Alive — — — —
Weirdo Shrine
  • Released: 7 August 2015
  • Label: Hardly Art
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
 — — — —
Floating Features
  • Released: 11 May 2018
  • Label: Hardly Art
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
 — 13 33 10
La Luz
  • Released: 22 October 2021
  • Label: Hardly Art
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
 — 24 46 13
News of the Universe
  • Released: 24 May 2024
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • Format: CD, DL, LP
 98 29 24 7
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

[edit]
  • Live from the Black Hole (self-released, 2021)

Instrumental albums

[edit]
  • La Luz Instrumentals (Hardly Art, 2022)

Singles and EPs

[edit]
Year Title Details Tracklist Release
2012 Damp Face EP[23]
  • Label: - Self-released (2012) - Burger Records (BRGR 381, 2013, 2015) - Hardly Art (HAR 080, 2016) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss
  • Formats: Cassette, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue
 1. Call Me in the Day

2. Damp Face
3. Sure as Spring
4. Clear Night Sky
5. Easy Baby

Damp Face EP (2012)
2013 Call Me in the Day b/w Easy Baby[24]
  • Label: - Water Wing Records (WW09, 2013) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss
  • Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45RPM, Single
 1. Call Me in the Day

2. Easy Baby

It's Alive (2013)
Brainwash b/w TV Dream[25]
  • Label: - Suicide Squeeze (S119, SSQ119, 2013, 2015, 2016) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss
  • Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Limited Edition
 1. Brainwash

2. TV Dream

N/A

Single

2015 I'll Be True (La Luz) b/w Misunderstood (Habibi)[26]
  • Label: - Split single; Volcom Entertainment Vinyl Club (VEVC 0041, 2015)
  • Formats: 7", 45RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered
 1. I'll Be True (La Luz)

2. Misunderstood (Habibi)

Weirdo Shrine (2015)
You Disappear[27]
  • Label: - Hardly Art  
  • Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo
 1. You Disappear
Believe My Eyes (La Luz) b/w Don't Want That (Scully)[28]
  • Label: - Split single; Famous Class, (FC 032, 2015)
  • Formats: 7", 45RPM, Limited Edition, Single
 1. Believe My Eyes (La Luz)

2.  Don't Want That (Scully)

Less Artists More Condos #16 (2015)
Clear Night Sky (La Luz) b/w Take a Short Breath (Old Lacy Bed)[29]
  • Label: - Split single; 2670records (2015)
  • Formats: 7", Single, Limited Edition, Record Store Day
 1.  Clear Night Sky (La Luz)

2. Take a Short Breath (Old Lacy Bed)

N/A

Single

2016 Live! at Sonic Boom Records 10/15/13[30]
  • Label: -  Analog Ghost Recordings (2016) - Burger Records (BRGR 381, 2013, 2015) - Hardly Art (HAR 080, 2016) Record Store Day 2016 release, edition of 30. Includes instructions on configuring a tone arm and photograph of the show.
  • Formats: 7", Limited Edition, Record Store Day
 1. Pink Slime

2. Damp Face

Live! at Sonic Boom Records 10/15/13 (2016)
2018 Cicada[31]
  • Label: - Hardly Art (2018)
  • Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo
 1. Cicada Floating Features (2018)
California Finally[32] 1. California Finally
Loose Teeth[33] 1. Loose Teeth
2021 In the Country[34]
  • Label: - Hardly Art (2021)
  • Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo
 1. In the Country La Luz (2021)
The Pines[35] 1. The Pines
Metal Man[36] 1. Metal Man  
2022 Endless Afternoon b/w San Fernando Blues[37]
  • Label: -  Hardly Art (HAR, 144, 2022)
  • Formats: 7", 45RPM, CD-R, Promo
 1.  Endless Afternoon

2. San Fernando Blues

N/A

Single

2024 Strange World 1. Strange World News of the Universe (2024)
Poppies 1. Poppies
I'll Go With You 1. I'll Go With You
Always in Love 1. Always in Love

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Presley, Katie (July 29, 2015). "Review: La Luz, 'Weirdo Shrine'". NPR.
  2. ^ Kapoor, Vikesh (May 11, 2018). "Pop Review: La Luz: Floating Features'". The Times.
  3. ^ Pinnock, Tom (October 22, 2021). "Album Review: La Luz - La Luz". Uncut.
  4. ^ Lobenfeld, Claire (September 16, 2013). "La Luz: "Pink Slime" (Stereogum Premiere)". stereogum.com.
  5. ^ Douglas, Martin (September 16, 2013). "La Luz Just Wants Us All To Dance And Cry". MTV.com.
  6. ^ Spicer, Justin (March 8, 2012). "Shana Cleveland Talks The Curious Mystery, Touring, and the Seattle Music Scene". SSGmusic.com.
  7. ^ Segarra, Brooke (July 30, 2013). "Q&A: La Luz". CMJ.com.
  8. ^ Deming, Mark. "La Luz Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Ventura, Leslie (March 17, 2016). "The Weekly Interview: La Luz Frontwoman Shana Cleveland". Las Vegas Weekly.
  10. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (March 26, 2015). "La Luz Triumph Over Near-Fatal Car Accident on New, Ty Segall-Produced Album". SPIN.
  11. ^ Savage, Emily (November 6, 2013). "Seattle surf rock band La Luz in severe car accident". San Francisco Bay Guardian Online.
  12. ^ Abbey Blackwell on Facebook
  13. ^ La Luz on Facebook
  14. ^ Reiff, Corbin (August 7, 2015) "La Luz subverts the surf-rock sound on Weirdo Shrine," A.V. Club. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  15. ^ Wing, Jaclyn (October 5, 2015) "LA LUZ on surviving a near-fatal car accident & producing new LP with Ty Segall," Archived 2015-11-17 at the Wayback Machine Performer. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  16. ^ Geslani, Michelle (May 14, 2015) "La Luz announces new Ty Segall-produced album, shares 'You Disappear' - listen," Consequence of Sound. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  17. ^ Jack, Malcolm (20 October 2015) "La Luz review – surf 'n' mirth with a sinister undertow," The Guardian. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  18. ^ Hood, Lindsay (August 3, 2015) "La Luz - Weirdo Shrine," Pitchfork. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  19. ^ La Luz on Facebook
  20. ^ Gospe, Andrew (December 31, 2015) "Your New Year's Eve in Seattle music: Shabazz Palaces, La Luz and more," The Seattle Times. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  21. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.com.
  22. ^ "about | Maryam Qudus / Engineer / Producer / Mixer". Maryamqudus.com.
  23. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/master/522726-La-Luz-Damp-Face-EP }}
  24. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/4482301-La-Luz-Call-Me-In-The-Day-Easy-Baby}}
  25. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/4482301-La-Luz-Call-Me-In-The-Day-Easy-Baby}}
  26. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/master/806904-La-Luz-2-Habibi-Ill-Be-True-Misunderstood}}
  27. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/23279477-La-Luz-You-Disappear}}
  28. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/master/874088-La-Luz-2-Scully-Less-Artists-More-Condos-16}}
  29. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/7073073-La-Luz-2-Old-Lacy-Bed-Clear-Night-Sky-Take-A-Short-Breath}}
  30. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/8398606-La-Luz-Live-At-Sonic-Boom-Records-101513}}
  31. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/11928125-La-Luz-Cicada}}
  32. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/12236432-La-Luz-California-Finally}}
  33. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/12615568-La-Luz-Loose-Teeth}}
  34. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/22130101-La-Luz-In-The-Country}}
  35. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/22130152-La-Luz-The-Pines}}
  36. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/release/24078095-La-Luz-Metal-Man}}
  37. ^ {{https://www.discogs.com/master/2858656-La-Luz-Endless-Afternoon-San-Fernando-Shadow-Blues}}
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