From ARROWS to ARROWWS to LESΔNDS to…

After only five months of writing and performing as a band, the lighthearted boys of San Diego-based indie-glo-fi band LESΔNDS (Formerly known as ARROWWS) have already managed to turn the heads of the biggest critics in town, have lost a member of their team, and have been confronted with pressing legal issues — under the assumption that they will indeed be of great interest to the world…

They come from the sun-drenched suburbia of North County, San Diego… Where the cities are far less crowded, the air is a bit less polluted, and nightly entertainment is non-existent; leaving young boys with not much more to do than pick-up an instrument, grab a pretty girl, and run to the beach. Being a North County native myself, I’ve gravitated toward the warm and positively charged music of such lo-fi artists (Neon Indian, Washed Out, CFCF, Toro Y Moi, Van She, Etc.) and I immediately recognized the band’s vitality when the band’s main vocalist and songwriter, Austin Tirado sent me their demo tracks late this past March, and requested that we play a show together. It seems like it was just a week before that, that I was frustrated with the local talent in San Diego and the quality of music that existed here; pretty much for us to tune out.. And then heaven-sent LESANDS; who was here to rescue us.

“All we want to do, is make people dance”

-Austin Tirado

“Pretenders” – LESΔNDS

The first track that I heard from the group was a slow-paced anthem by the name of “Pretenders”. Beginning with an Arcade-Fire-esque intro beat, with a pulsating synth-line creeping up shortly after, Austin’s powerful vocals steal the listeners attention with their sincere delivery, glo-fi processing, and airy placement in the mix. The lo-fi qualities of their tracks, although not initially what the band was going for, add a veneer of mystique and retro flair, as if this song was recorded in the same studio as Joy Division or The Clash.

“Walks” – LESΔNDS

“Walks” is one of the first newer songs to come from the band; they are much more dance-focused, and have a pseudo African beat. The synth rhythms are the perfect accompaniment to the percussion: Simple, yet infuriatingly catchy, while the lyrics and delivery by Tirado left me listening to the track on repeat the same week that it made its way into my inbox. Much faster in tempo than their other productions, “Walks” gives us an indication of the direction that the band is going in. And gives us a preview of that significantly high level of energy that their live performances will always strive to reach.

“Glowing” – LESΔNDS

Once considered a B-Side song that the band used to throw down just during practice sessions, “Glowing” is another new creation that has made its way onto the upcoming EP, and reminds me most of an early Washed-Out style track; with a big kick, looped beat, and slow-moving melodies; all wrapped around playful vocals.

Despite losing their keyboardist for the sake of a streamlined touring set-up, and the fact LESANDS nearly faced a world of legal issues involving their previous band name, and were thus forced to become what we know them now as LESANDS, it’s only safe for us to assume that the future is looking extremely bright for the young North County natives…

And with an EP in production as we speak, upcoming shows at the most recognized venues in San Diego and Los Angeles already on the horizon, and an ongoing dialogue with a UK-based agent (wouldn’t you like to know..), I would make it a huge point to catch this amazing local band while you still can. Did I mention that their live performances are one of the best I’ve seen in town, ever?

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

JUNE 25th @ NEON VENUS ART THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA

JUNE 30th COMMUNE WED. W/COLOUR VISION @ WHISTLESTOP IN SAN DIEGO, CA

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By: COLOUR VISION