BRNDA, COR DE LUX, EATT

BRNDA is a four-piece from DC with a few rules: No covers, No love songs. Simple enough, right? Think again. After perusing through the late 70s, 80s, and 2010s for musical detritus, it was discovered that only the least ostentatious, most off-kilter sound is fit for BRNDA. And so, if you find yourself unable to put your finger on just what you’re hearing, it is because BRNDA is not just some rehashed comfort listening.

Since their genesis in 2012, BRNDA has released 3 albums (2014, 2015, 2021) and an EP (2018). One could say that the stream of consciousness featured in 2021's Do You Like Salt? (on Crafted Sounds) is arguably BRNDA’s richest yet. Topics of interest include salt, tennis, existentialism, poached avocado, your 45-year plan, tea, incorrect orders... all of which are expressed through a carousel of honest vocal performance (singing, shouting, speaking, radio static) from all members of the band. Above all, BRNDA pulls off an unpredictable and incredibly entertaining sound that can shift between testy art punk, noisy no wave, and groovin’ indie rock at any given moment. Not to mention, there is also a tasteful dusting of saxophone on the record. What is there not to like about all of that in a 10-track, sub-thirty-minute package?
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RIYL: Cheekface, Spread Joy, Self Improvement, Gustaf, Parquet Courts, Foyer Red, illuminati hotties, Grocer, Talking Heads, Pixies, Antelope, Post-2000s Dischord Records 

COR DE LUX grew out of the music scene of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The band found each other during a chance conversation about the love of music between Tim Lusk and Dawn Moraga while Moraga waited for a phone repair in Lusk’s shop. This was the catalyst for the band’s formation, with John Bliven quickly added on bass and Jacob Richardson stepping in for founding member and drummer Dana Quinn in early 2022. Their music (a mixture of post-punk, garage rock and early 2000’s influences

The past year has seen COR DE LUX steadily tour the eastern US coast, fitting DIY and club shows in-between opening slots for Archers of Loaf, LA Witch, Pile, Teenage Fanclub, COLA (Ex-Ought), The Bobby Lees, Hammered Hulls (Dischord), Wishy, Ducks Ltd, Sweeping Promises, Spiral Stairs,Perl Dream Magazine, and Pylon Reenactment Society.

“The post-punk dream-pop band weaves a sonic tapestry of sound and emotion; the atmospheric hooks and Dawn’s effervescent vocals echo Sonic Youth, The Breeders, Fugazi, and the Pixies.” -  Alice Teeple 

“Cor de Lux a really good band” - Henry Rollins   (We love that guy)