A new album release from Blue Wisteria brings out a lush and edgy alternative pop and rock soundscape that comes with a colorful but slightly gritty tonality and boasts loads of character and persona with each and every track.
The Sucrose album expands this impactful variety of dirty guitars and alluring vocals that all have the ability to give off both old and new-school vibes and in a way deliver a sense of energy that feels like each player is feeding off of each other.
This record gives you the best of so many worlds from this fun and attitude-riddled pop style to elements of punk and alternative rock, but it's all woven into a record that when listened to as a whole, has its own atmosphere and that atmosphere is addicting as hell.
The whole band has an absolute love for their craft and because of that energy that's on the record itself it just makes you want to go see them live because you know it's going to be a hell of a show.
We need more bands like this. Bands that take these different influences and create something refreshing but also almost nostalgic at the same time.
Bands that give off character and really songs that have fewer boundaries than those before them in certain aspects.
This is what makes music fun.
This record has surprises lurking around every corner and by the time you get halfway through it you get a feel for the staple sound of how the band is, but you also learn to expect the unexpected at the same time.
You have these vast indie pop and progressive approaches strewn throughout the record and you don't know when those will pop up but when they do you love them.
This band has its own persona and that is exactly what's been missing with a lot of music in general these days regardless of the genre.
This album is not reinventing the wheel by any means of course, but it's refreshing and different. It stands outside the box just enough to push the envelope where they want it to, and it still comes through catchy and fun.
These songs are super danceable and the ones that you're not really meant to dance to are ones where you're just drawn into the lyrics and how they're delivered.
In a way, this record is a form of escapism it lets you step into their world for a little bit and that's endlessly fun.
With the release of such a unique and full-bodied album, we wanted to have a sit down with Blue Wisteria to find out where this actually came from and what might be coming up next for the band.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Okay, let's start with Sucrose album! This record captured a unique and edgy approach with a ton of character! How did this release come about?
My good friend and longtime collaborator Ethan and I had been discussing getting some of the newer Blue Wisteria stuff recorded for an album. He studied audio engineering at The Evergreen State College where we met. In fact, he was the original drummer for Blue Wisteria. He flew into LA from NYC on two different occasions to record us in Glassell Park at our current drummers recording studio. First in May 2022 for 3 days and again in January this year for a week. Since we were so limited on time, we spent anywhere from 10-14 hours in the studio each night. HA! Teetering on the edge of madness, yet undeniably thrilling and incredibly satisfying to say the least.
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as a band?
Somewhere between reconciling my relationship with music and enrolling in a music theory class where I met Ethan, he has consistently been supportive of my work, helped shape my musical direction, and encouraged me to start playing shows. Initially, I performed under my name, Glo, and later as Blue Wisteria when he and I began playing together. We booked a post-graduation summer tour that was supposed to go down in June of 2020. Our new bassist Shelby would be joining us, but it understandably fell through in the Covid Blip.
I moved back home to LA in Nov 2020 and frequented places like the Sunday open mic nights at Canter's Kibitz Room on Fairfax. Thats where I met Thomas, my drummer. Shortly after, I convinced my sister Luna to play synth. We played our first show at a DIY house venue in Long Beach 2 years ago this September, we’ve been a tripod ever since.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Emotions, experience, nature, films, books, conversation, interviews, movement, art, experimenting with unconventional sounds, dissonance, ostinato/repetitiveness, and simplicity.
Buzz Slayers: This record has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
I’d say the recipe for musical influences on this album looks something like 1/2 cup of Sonic Youth, splash of Yo La Tengo, a tablespoon of My Bloody Valentine, a drizzle of Bauhaus, generous servings of Spacemen3, and a subtle garnish of The Breeders.
Buzz Slayers: What are you all doing when you're NOT working on music?
Luna: “Hiking, tattooing, skateboarding, drawing or working on some graphic design.”
Tom: “When not focused on music I am working on various forms of production and writing short films and stories. I am a painter as well and very passionate about invention and working with ones hands. You can typically find me skating echo park and lakeside or in the woods on a dirt-bike”
Glo: I’m hiking/adventuring, hanging in the film production world, spending time with friends and family, skateboarding, movie nights, or often talking on the phone (call your people, it’s important).
Buzz Slayers: Who's in all your headphones right now?
Glo: Right now... Unwound, The The, Vashti Bunyan, Veronica Bianqui, Dani Miller, Elliot Smith, Traps PS
Luna: Somebody Else by The 1975’s, Uwu Owo by Zane Alexander, Mirror Ball by Taylor Swift
Tom: Bill Evans, Julie London, The Fleetwoods, All Them Witches, Miles Davis, Charlie Spivak, Alice in Chains, Rush, Deep Purple, etc. My definitive few are scores like Bladerunner (82), Twin Peaks and Chinatown!
Buzz Slayers: Are you all doing any live performances right now?
Album release show October 12th at The Goldfish in Highland Park
Buzz Slayers: Do you record these at a big studio, or do you have a home studio set-up?
Generally recording at Thomas’s studio in Glassell Park. No home studio set up yet, other than a Scarlett 2i2 and laptop.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
Aside from a warp-speed journey into new sonic territories, more shows, and new inceptions…Expect the unexpected.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you for all the love.
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