Spanish Love Songs

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Spanish Love Songs
Spanish Love Songs performing in 2019
Spanish Love Songs performing in 2019
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2013–present
Labels
Members
  • Dylan Slocum
  • Kyle McAulay
  • Ruben Duarte
  • Trevor Dietrich
  • Meredith Van Woert
Past members
  • Gabe Mayeshiro
Websitespanishlovesongs.com

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, bassist Trevor Dietrich, and keyboardist 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)

History[edit]

2013–2019: Formation and early releases[edit]

Spanish 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[edit]

Main article: Brave Faces Everyone

In 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[edit]

Beginning 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[edit]

Spanish 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[edit]

Current 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)
  • Trevor Dietrich – bass, backing vocals (2017–present)[15]
  • Meredith Van Woert – keyboards, acoustic guitar (2017–present)

Former members

  • Gabe Mayeshiro – bass (2013–2016)[2]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

Title Album details
Giant Sings the Blues
  • Released: March 25, 2015
  • Length: 38:07
  • Label: Wiretap
Track listing
  1. "Bad Day" – 1:35
  2. "Nervous People" – 4:33
  3. "Concrete" – 3:15
  4. "Dying" – 2:58
  5. "Mexico" – 4:32
  6. "Vermont" – 3:37
  7. "Friends" – 4:12
  8. "Remained" – 4:21
  9. "Stranger" – 5:36
  10. "Bright Day" – 3:27
Schmaltz
  • Released: March 30, 2018
  • Length: 39:25
  • Label: A-F
Track listing
  1. "Nuevo" – 2:10
  2. "Sequels, Remakes, & Adaptations" – 1:56
  3. "Bellyache" – 4:29
  4. "Buffalo Buffalo" – 3:52
  5. "Otis / Carl" – 3:48
  6. "The Boy Considers His Haircut" – 3:56
  7. "El Niño Considers His Failures" – 3:12
  8. "Joana, in Five Acts" – 3:48
  9. "Beer & Nyquil (Hold It Together)" – 3:02
  10. "It's Not Interesting" – 4:28
  11. "Aloha to No One" – 4:33
Brave Faces Everyone
Track listing
  1. "Routine Pain" – 4:23
  2. "Self-Destruction (as a Sensible Career Choice)" – 2:59
  3. "Generation Loss" – 4:26
  4. "Kick" – 4:02
  5. "Beach Front Property" – 4:07
  6. "Losers" – 4:25
  7. "Optimism (as a Radical Life Choice)" – 4:26
  8. "Losers 2" – 4:03
  9. "Dolores" – 3:11
  10. "Brave Faces, Everyone" – 4:26
Brave Faces, Etc.
Track listing
  1. "Routine Pain" (Etc Version) – 4:46
  2. "Self-Destruction (as a Sensible Career Choice)" (Etc Version) – 2:44
  3. "Generation Loss" (Etc Version) – 5:19
  4. "Kick" (Etc Version) – 4:52
  5. "Beach Front Property" (Etc Version) – 4:47
  6. "Losers" (Etc Version) – 4:13
  7. "Optimism (as a Radical Life Choice)" (Etc Version) – 4:32
  8. "Losers 2" (Etc Version) – 4:30
  9. "Dolores" (Etc Version) – 2:47
  10. "Brave Faces, Everyone" (Etc Version) – 5:14
No Joy
Track listing
  1. "Lifers" – 3:34
  2. "Pendulum" – 3:34
  3. "Haunted" – 3:43
  4. "Clean-Up Crew" – 3:58
  5. "Middle of Nine" – 3:49
  6. "Marvel" – 3:35
  7. "I'm Gonna Miss Everything" – 3:21
  8. "Rapture Chaser" – 3:35
  9. "Mutable" – 3:16
  10. "Here You Are" – 3:08
  11. "Exit Bags" – 4:00
  12. "Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse" – 5:32

Extended plays[edit]

Title EP details
Doom and Gloom Sessions
  • Released: April 25, 2023
  • Labels: Pure Noise
  • Length: 17:27
Track listing
  1. "Smile Like You Mean It"
    (originally by The Killers) – 4:04
  2. "Portions for Foxes"
    (originally by Rilo Kiley) – 4:45
  3. "Futures"
    (originally by Jimmy Eat World) – 4:10
  4. "Now It's On"
    (originally by Grandaddy) – 4:27

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Punk's Spanish Love Songs Urge 'Brave Faces Everyone'". PopMatters. February 11, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – 'Giant Sings The Blues'". New Noise Magazine. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ Carr, Paul (27 March 2018). "Spanish Love Songs' 'Schmaltz' Is Cathartic for Anyone Seeking Sanctuary From Life's Unpredictability". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ Crowley, James (26 April 2019). "Losers Forever: A Conversation with Spanish Love Songs". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Spanish Love Songs Announce New Album, Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Sacher, Andrew (May 17, 2023). "Spanish Love Songs announce new LP 'No Joy,' share "Haunted" (exclusive splatter vinyl)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Glenn Rowley (January 22, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs' New Single Is As Brutal As Honesty Gets". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Pearlman, Mischa. "Album Review:Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Andy Joice (February 4, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs – 'Brave Faces Everyone'". Punktastic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "Spanish Love Songs". Pure Noise Records. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  16. ^ a b Curtiss, Ryan (April 11, 2022). "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces, Etc". New Noise. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "No Joy, by Spanish Love Songs". Spanish Love Songs. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
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