These are the ingredients: One drop of mystery solution into a glass of milk, a ‘60s variety show stage and “obey” subliminal messaging.
This is La Luz, and more specifically, the Seattle-based four-piece's music video for their single “Brainwash." The visual complements the song title, and ‘60s style surf pop rock serves as a sunny disposition masking the message.
As the band continues their first national tour for La Luz through July 27, they stop at The Sweatshop Gallery in Omaha tonight.
The 7-inch called Brainwash on Suicide Squeeze Records is newly released, just more than a week old, and features tracks “Brainwash” and “T.V. Dream,” a track that contains few vocals but has a way of hypnotizing.
“I’ve never been to Nebraska before,” says Shana Cleveland, the guitarist and vocalist for La Luz. “All I know about Nebraska is Saddle Creek Records and Omaha Steaks.”
Earlier this month, La Luz’s van broke down five hours into their drive to Atlanta from Little Rock, Ark. After waiting for an hour and a half in what they compared to a scene from a campy horror film, they made it to a diner in Jasper, Ala., while they waited for repairs.
“After an hour and a half of feral dogs barking at us and no sleep, the tow truck arrived and took us to Jasper, Alabama.” wrote keyboardist Abbey Blackwell on the La Luz Tumblr page. “We passed the time in a fine diner with bottomless cups of coffee, $4 breakfast plates, and pictures of Sarah Palin only to hear from the mechanics that they couldn’t find anything wrong with our van.”
La Luz has been playing everything from bars to warehouses on their tour. No matter the venue the band still encourages dancing at their shows. Their music contains all the ingredients necessary for beach-style dancing, catchy warm guitar riffs and sing-along melodies.
“After sitting in a van all day, it’s nice to get on stage and have fun,” Cleveland says. “We really encourage crowd surfing and dancing at our shows.”
La Luz has only been together for nine months. Keyboardist Alice Sandahl and drummer Marian Li Pino met while playing in Seattle band The Pica Beats. Marian Li Pino also played drums in The Curious Mystery with Shana Cleveland.
Along with the release of their latest single, La Luz has been working on a new album that will be out on Oct. 15. The name of the album hasn’t been released yet. The album will contain the similar pop surf rock aesthetic according to Cleveland.
“It’s danceable, but in a fun and dark sort of way,” Cleveland says.
Cam Penner is a Hear Nebraska intern. He would be going to this show except he’s taking pictures and losing his hearing at Warped Tour. Reach him at camp@hearnebraska.org.