CalArts students perform at the Troubadour for
SoundStream 2018. Photos by: Angel Origgi
Courtesy of CalArts. Click here for
high resolution version.
Valencia, CA-April 9—Get ready for the new sounds of next-gen talents at CalArts Soundstream 2019. The annual student-driven showcase of original experimental, indie and pop music comes to West Hollywood’s legendaryTroubadour on Monday, April 29. The evening is presented by the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts, which has launched such stellar artists as indie sensation Julia Holter; Jiro Yamaguchi, Mario Calire, and Asdrubal Sierra of Ozomatli; and soulful songstress Laura Jean Anderson, as well as pop luminaries like Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Kurstin, co-writer of Adele’s mega-hit “Hello.”
The 2019 showcase will feature 8 bands comprised of musicians graduating from California Institute of the Arts ( CalArts ) in May. Since its inception, Soundstream has stood testament to the Institute’s famously innovative music school. With sounds ranging from neo-bubblegum to alt rock and electronica, this year’s showcase continues in that free-wheeling spirit, with performances from such rising bands and artists as Shandy & Eva, Dolly Dirtbag, Gillian Rae Perry, and Love Underwater.
Music industry representatives are invited to the showcase as part of the Institute’s mission to provide career development and professional training opportunities to its students. CalArts Music Source is another example of the Institute’s real-world training in professional practices. This student-run management agency is a project of the Herb Alpert School of Music and was developed to coordinate bookings for student musicians and offer a variety of talent for performance and private instruction.
About the bands:
The genre-busting acoustic trio of vocals, guitars and percussion known as Shandy & Eva features Ewa Zmijewska, Shandrelica Casper and Benjamin Thomas. Weaving in and out of styles ranging from Latin jazz to country and blues, the group’s eclectic sound defies expectations of fusion music. Last summer saw the release of their first music video, “Sunrise” and their new album is in the works.
The “weirdo bubblegum pop” stylings of songstress Dolly Dirtbag, aka Olivia Hauser, segue from dreamy pop ballads to experimental sound poems to club-oriented dance music, all with electronic production and a focus on layered and altered vocals.
Gillian Rae Perry grew up studying music, theatre, and dance. An avid reader and writer of poetry, her compositions explore the ways in which text and music can interact, both in spoken and inaudible ways. Her studies have reinforced her belief that intentionality is one of the most important aspects of composition.
What do you get when you put harp in a rock band? You get eccentric, folk-punk collective Love Underwater. The project started its journey in on the East Coast in 2015 and found success playing shows in New Jersey and New York City. Their latest EP is called “Crosswick.”
The magnetic, alt-rock project Laugh Queens is the brainchild of songwriter, vocalist and lead guitarist Stephanie D’Arcy. Influenced by artists like Björk, Radiohead, and The Kills, Laugh Queens breed multi-layered melodies fused with a bluesy flair. D’Arcy’s recently released debut album is titled “Bathcolors.”
Future Lover is the duo of Daniel Crook and Scarlett Perry. Born out of a shared love of darkwave and industrial dance music, the group uses only hardware to produce sound, with Crook creating haunting synth lines and intense beats with drum machine and sequencer. Perry delivers somber vocals, grounding synth and guitar.
The rhythms of Mexican folk meet looping, electronic beats and modern harmonies in this unique solo project by Sabina Arias. Arias, who performs vocals, guitar and requinto, is accompanied on drums by Matt Smith.
The 5-piece band Off the Cuff brings together a variety of musical cultures to create eclectic folk fusion. With songs written and composed by Chloe Levillant and Atticus Mckittrick, their music absorbs the flavors of its members’ diverse cultural and musical backgrounds, from jazz and classical to folk and world music. Their driving rhythms inspire dancing while the poetic folk melodies capture hearts.
Calendar Editors Please Note:
What: CalArts Soundstream 2019
When: Monday, April 29, 2019, 8:30pm
Where: The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Admission: Free with RSVP, Register here to attend performance