La Luz

In a world where every weak garage-rock band to ever hear a Kinks album seems to have weaponized their reverb pedals in an attempt to somehow qualify the most basic rock ‘n’ roll drivel as something more mature or “surfy,” bands like La Luz are one in a million. The quartet of ladies developed their altogether unique, yet simultaneously classic, “surf-noir” sound in the unexpected fog and rain of Washington State, (though the band has recently made the move to the sunnier environs of California.) Since the release of the group’s most recent full-length, Weirdo Shrine, (produced by Ty Segall), La Luz has become (in our opinion) the only surf-rock band that matters right now. What’s more, they’re a band that could easily have called Miami home.

The brand of surf music La Luz purveys is chiefly the result of La Luz’s frontwoman/guitarist Shana Cleveland’s creative labors, and can be described to the uninitiated as what might exist in the space between the station pumping out saccharine, broken-hearted girl group harmonies and the station blasting surf instrumentals at some undetermined point in the early ‘60s. Similar to the condition that often exists in South Florida, La Luz’s vibes are sonically quite sunny on the surface, however there is an underlying darkness to juxtapose those sounds in everything La Luz does, from the band’s lyrical content, to its penchant for spooky, minor key guitar vamps which show off everything Cleveland has learned in her years as a student, obsessing over the proper surf music of yore. That is to say that much like Miami’s music scene in general, things are more complex in La Luz’s music than what one might initially perceive. Lofty musical analysis aside, the ladies of La Luz have earned a rep for raucous live performances that inject the group’s ear-worm melodies and fiery guitar licks with the adrenalynn of a punk show and the energy of an ‘80s party scene, a perfect fit for Wynwood’s reigning party palace, Gramps.

La Luz will play Gramps on May 4, with support from Veiny Hands, Ben Katzman’s Degreaser, and Massenger. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. Gramps is located at 176 NW 24th St, Miami, FL, 33127. Show starts early at 9pm! Call 305.669.2669 for more info, or visit Gramps.com  |  RSVP
~ Von Bader