Spanish Love Songs is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, that was founded in 2013.[1][2] The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Dylan Slocum, guitarist Kyle McAulay, drummer Ruben Duarte, and keyboardist/acoustic guitar player Meredith Van Woert. Slocum and Van Woert are married. Since their formation, Spanish Love Songs has released four studio albums: Giant Sings the Blues (2015), Schmaltz (2018), Brave Faces Everyone (2020) and No Joy (2023)
Spanish Love Songs | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels |
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Members |
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Past members |
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Website | spanishlovesongs |
History
edit2013–2019: Formation and early releases
editSpanish Love Songs was originally formed as a trio by Slocum, Mayeshiro, and Duarte. McAulay joined shortly after, making them a four-piece.[2] The band played their first show in August 2013.[2] They began recording their debut EP, which later became their debut studio album.[2] The band released their debut studio album in March 2015 titled Giant Sings the Blues.[2][3] The album was released through their own label.[2] In 2016, the band signed with Wiretap Records and rereleased their debut album with bonus tracks.[2] On October 24, 2016, the band released Little Giants, a collection of b-sides from Giant Sings the Blues. In 2017, keyboardist Meredith Van Woert joined the band, making them a five-piece.[2] In 2018, the band released their second studio album, Schmaltz.[2][4][5] On November 30, 2018, the band released a cover of "Funeral" by Phoebe Bridgers.
2020-2022: Brave Faces Everyone and Brave Faces Etc
editIn 2020, Spanish Love Songs released their third studio album titled Brave Faces Everyone.[6][7] The album debuted at No. 21 on Vinyl Albums chart and No. 61 on the Top Album Sales chart with 2000 copies sold.[8] Along with the album, the band announced a tour in the U.K. with the Menzingers and a U.S. tour with the Wonder Years.[7] The tour started on January 25, 2020.[7] On July 14, 2021, the band released "Phantom Limb", a track from the Brave Faces Everyone sessions, along with a cover of "Blacking Out the Friction" by Death Cab for Cutie. On October 28, 2021, the band released a cover of "I Miss You" by Blink-182. On February 1, 2022, the band announced Brave Faces, Etc., a complete reimagining of Brave Faces Everyone, along with the release of the lead singles, new versions of "Generation Loss" and "Optimism (As a Radical Life Choice)". Three additional singles appeared on digital platforms in the weeks leading into the album’s release on April 15.
On August 4, 2022, the band released a cover of "We’ve Had Enough" by Alkaline Trio, as part of a compilation album for their label, Pure Noise Records.
2023–present: No Joy
editBeginning on March 8, 2023, the band began digitally releasing a series of cover songs, which, on April 25, was packaged as the Doom & Gloom Sessions. Its four songs were originally performed (respectively) by The Killers, Jimmy Eat World, Rilo Kiley, and Grandaddy.
On May 17, the band released a music video for "Haunted", the lead single from their fourth studio album, No Joy - itself released on August 25, 2023.[9]
Musical style
editSpanish Love Songs' musical style has been described as punk rock,[8][10][11] emo,[10][11][12] pop punk,[8][11][12] indie rock,[12] pop rock,[1] alternative rock,[13] garage punk,[14] and indie punk.[2] The band calls themselves "grouchrock".[2] Rich Wilson of AllMusic considers the band to be "[a continuation of] the emotional punk tradition started by bands such as Jawbreaker and Hot Water Music."[2]
Band members
editCurrent members[2]
- Dylan Slocum – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2013–present), lead guitar (2013)
- Kyle McAulay – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
- Ruben Duarte – drums (2013–present)
- Meredith Van Woert – keyboards, acoustic guitar (2017–present)
Former members
- Gabe Mayeshiro – bass (2013–2016)[2]
- Trevor Dietrich – bass, backing vocals (2017–2024)
Discography
editStudio albums
Title | Album details |
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Giant Sings the Blues |
Track listing
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Schmaltz |
Track listing
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Brave Faces Everyone |
Track listing
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Brave Faces, Etc. |
Track listing
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No Joy |
Track listing
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Extended plays
editTitle | EP details |
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Doom and Gloom Sessions |
Track listing
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References
edit- ^ a b "Punk's Spanish Love Songs Urge 'Brave Faces Everyone'". PopMatters. February 11, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Rich Wilson. "Spanish Love Songs AllMusic Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – 'Giant Sings The Blues'". New Noise Magazine. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ Carr, Paul (27 March 2018). "Spanish Love Songs' 'Schmaltz' Is Cathartic for Anyone Seeking Sanctuary From Life's Unpredictability". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ Crowley, James (26 April 2019). "Losers Forever: A Conversation with Spanish Love Songs". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Spanish Love Songs Announce New Album, Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Leuthauser, Adrian (8 January 2020). "Spanish Love Songs announce new album with honesty-fueled song "Kick"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Glenn Rowley (February 20, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs Are Here to Help You Survive the 'Bleak Stuff' With New Album: Emerging Artists Spotlight". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (May 17, 2023). "Spanish Love Songs announce new LP 'No Joy,' share "Haunted" (exclusive splatter vinyl)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Glenn Rowley (January 22, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs' New Single Is As Brutal As Honesty Gets". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Spanish Love Songs Are Here to Help You Survive the 'Bleak Stuff' With New Album: Emerging Artists Spotlight". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c James Crowley (February 20, 2020). "Review: Spanish Love Songs Enlighten a Horrible World with Brave Faces Everyone". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Pearlman, Mischa. "Album Review:Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ Andy Joice (February 4, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs – 'Brave Faces Everyone'". Punktastic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Curtiss, Ryan (April 11, 2022). "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces, Etc". New Noise. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "No Joy, by Spanish Love Songs". Spanish Love Songs. Retrieved 2023-10-24.