"when I write to myself / I don't use punctuation..."
Existing somewhere between East Coast busker punk and folk revival rock, "Punctuation" by California-based rock duo Escape Artist Lovers, made up of Rain Phoenix and Kirk Hellie, goes down easy but, at the same time, feels subversive (albeit gently subversive) like an amalgam of artists like Lou Reed, Miracle Legion, Cracker (or thereabouts). "Punctuation" lifts you up, makes you want to get dirty in the California beach sand before catching some 4 footers.
[Leading up to their partnership, the two have flourished in their extensive backgrounds in the industry. Since the 1990s, Kirk has been a sideman for the likes of Steve Jones and Glenn Branca, collaborated with various artists including Atticus Ross, Jehnny Beth, and Mogwai, and has fronted his own bands. As for Rain, she grew up awash in the arts. Starting out with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic, she has collaborated, toured, or worked with artists ranging from Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) and Gus Van Sant, to the much underrated Alternative Tentacles band, The Causey Way, as well as also fronting her own bands.]
Listening to this freeing track and I can't help but think that there are seeds of 70's garden rock sprouting up through late 70's proto punk, 80's power pop and 90's post grunge. (smiling)
Listening to this freeing track and I can't help but think that there are seeds of 70's garden rock sprouting up through late 70's proto punk, 80's power pop and 90's post grunge. (smiling)
"Punctuation" is Escape Artist Lovers second single and the B side of the "Hey Motherf*cker" 7 inch.
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://twitter.com/escapeartlovers
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C5G4YRhQLa6pB7RSf59lQ
https://www.instagram.com/escapeartistlovers/
https://linktr.ee/escapeartistlovers
Rain Phoenix and Kirk Hellie have been in each other’s orbits for over a decade, but only started writing together as a unit in 2020 when they formed their new rock duo, Escape Artist Lovers. When forming the group, the pair pulled inspiration from their colorful pasts – as well as their extensive record collections – to build on their new vision. The result is solid, honest, and bittersweet rock music.
Escape Artist Lovers’ reverence for their musical heroes might be easy to take for granted. Not everybody opened for Sonic Youth on their 18th birthday or has been a much sought out sideman within the Los Angeles music scene. But for the two artists, it’s impossible to deny their roots. The result is less a recreation of ‘70s Laurel Canyon, ‘80s Paisley Underground, ’90s alt songcraft and sonic exploration, and more of a continuation. Hellie and Phoenix aren’t operating in the shadow of history, they’re basking in its sunlight.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://twitter.com/escapeartlovers
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C5G4YRhQLa6pB7RSf59lQ
https://www.instagram.com/escapeartistlovers/
https://linktr.ee/escapeartistlovers
Rain Phoenix and Kirk Hellie have been in each other’s orbits for over a decade, but only started writing together as a unit in 2020 when they formed their new rock duo, Escape Artist Lovers. When forming the group, the pair pulled inspiration from their colorful pasts – as well as their extensive record collections – to build on their new vision. The result is solid, honest, and bittersweet rock music.
Escape Artist Lovers’ reverence for their musical heroes might be easy to take for granted. Not everybody opened for Sonic Youth on their 18th birthday or has been a much sought out sideman within the Los Angeles music scene. But for the two artists, it’s impossible to deny their roots. The result is less a recreation of ‘70s Laurel Canyon, ‘80s Paisley Underground, ’90s alt songcraft and sonic exploration, and more of a continuation. Hellie and Phoenix aren’t operating in the shadow of history, they’re basking in its sunlight.
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