Cyrus Butler drums, percussion, backing vocals, electric kazoo (seriously)
Michelle Torrez bass, vocals, keys
May Ann Pescante lead vocals, guitar, keys
Influences
Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Mt. Egypt, Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis, Prince, John Mayer, Rhett Miller, Old 97's, Jason Falkner, Magnet, The Cardigans, Pavement, Far, The Wallflowers, Travis, Elliott Smith, Radiohead, The Postal Service...
Sounds Like
Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Michelle Branch, The Shins, The Cranberries, Rhett Miller, Old 97's, Jenny Lewis, Rilo Kiley, Jason Falkner, Pavement, Elliott Smith, Eisley, The Postal Service
Gracefully hovering between pop and indie, one could liken Eloise's debut record "Semantics" to a delightful ménage à trois, of catchy melodies, agile observations and the young band's growing sonic curiosity. With their independent spirit and a little help from friends, such as the talented engineering mastermind Valente Torrez (Elliott Smith), Eloise took to recording, producing and releasing their debut album on their own. The result was a positively dynamic record with a strong pop sensibility and an indie attitude.
Composed of self-taught musicians, May Ann Pescante, Michelle Torrez and Cyrus Butler, the band's unique sounds originate from a natural attraction to recording. The Los Angeles-based trio met while working as engineers at the world-renowned Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, but it wasn't until years after their meeting that they formed Eloise. May Ann Pescante, an L.A. native, lends her fragile yet robust voice to articulate surprisingly intense ruminations, such as the opening line in "Little Star" ("I bought a phone card / I pay good money to argue with you"), as she gently strums her guitar. Michelle Torrez, a transplant from Santa Fe, New Mexico, combines crafty bass lines and keyboard finesse with her inventive vocal harmonies. Cyrus Butler, hailing from California's central coast, anchors each number with delectable drum patterns and a spirited spontaneity; he also knows how to generate a one-of-a-kind electric kazoo solo.
Eloise's live magnetic energy is a genuine treat, while every song on the album shines a flattering new light on the band's extraordinary potential. Tyler Martin, of the ILP podcast, nominates Eloise as "Better than the Smashing Pumpkins!" In all its comic impertinence, to a real indie music fan, he might be right.
We're kicking off our west coast tour in LA at The Cat Club. Please come out and party with us and help spread the love!! I give thanks for YOU! xoxo - Astra
I've had the CD in my car ever since we played on the same bill and on the occasion the ipod is missing or dead battery it is the default. I know every word! Don't you have a full length out now - hook me up!!
wow that really is cool! w'ell be buying a cd when theyre ready haha errr things are good here going back to england for a few weeks...we managed to get on local tv but its sri lanka so how hard can that be! looking forward to hearing more from Eloise x