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Oh Darling is the true story of best friends playing music together who formed out of spontaneity and chance. The Oh Darling kids make music together simply because it is the natural thing for them to do.

Singer-keyboardist Jasmine Ash, guitarist Daven Hall, bassist J.Marie Hall and drummer Jake Endicott began playing together in 2006 in Portland, before making L.A. their base of operations in 2009. Oh Darling initially developed between best friends Jasmine and J.Marie. Shortly after meeting, Jasmine moved in with JMarie and Daven and asked Daven to play guitar in their band. Ironically, Jake lived in the house directly behind them. He joined the band in 2008. “It only took one practice to unanimously agree they worked very cohesively, “… it just felt right,” Jasmine says, “We knew we had made the right combination.”

Ash’s gossamer vocals are undergirded by surprisingly muscular arrangements and wild tempo shifts, with the band’s alternate melodic sweetness with propulsive rock.  The net effect, judging by the words of admiring reviewers, is equal parts enchantment and energy.
 
“It's impossible not to get a contact buzz from the band's buoyant, charming pop,” declared the Portland Tribune.  “Fronted by one of the cutest gals in town, Oh Darling possess an intriguing yet subtle mix of sexual tension, plus plenty of indie pop goodness in their delivery,” proclaimed the music blog NadaMucho. “Jasmine Ash knows how to write catchy pop songs as delicious as Cheerios in chocolate milk.” Flavorpill, meanwhile, praised their “intoxicating blend of indie rock” and “unapologetic, perfectly crafted pop punch.” The Vanguard admired their “wealth of adorable melodies” and “healthy propensity for matching outfits.”

Oh Darling released their second disc, Oh Darling, on their own Creative Works/Oh Darling Music label on Nov. 17, 2009. Produced by Gregg Williams (Blitzen Trapper, Dandy Warhols) with additional recording by Chris Roach (451 Recording), the eponymous album is Oh Darling’s follow-up to 2008’s critically adored “Nice Nice.” , also produced by Gregg Williams.  The new collection is the fullest realization yet of the quartet’s inventively bouncy twist on the new-wave pop tradition, recalling influences as diverse as Talking Heads, Blondie, Metric, Kate Bush, Phoenix, Built to Spill and Eels. Listeners unfamiliar with

Oh Darlings name may well recognize songs like the spiky, infectious “I Like You, Baby,” the edgy, compact rocker “Never Go Too Far,” and the winsome “Colorful Day,” which have been featured on such TV series as the CW’s “One Tree Hill,” Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” and USA’s “Royal Pains,” as well as commercials for Volkswagen.  Other featured tracks on

Oh Darling include the punchy infatuation anthem “So Cool,” the ecstatic sugar rush “Just Love, Anyway” the sparkling, melancholy “We’re Just That Way” and “Gotta End This Way,” which manages to combine shimmering post-punk with swoony Brill Building pop.

Oh Darling have toured up and down the West Coast numerous times and appeared at venues like the Doug Fir, Viper Room, Spaceland and the Hotel Café.  Everywhere they’ve gone, they’ve left audiences spellbound and smiling. Indeed, Ash and Hall do tend to coordinate their vibrant retro wardrobes onstage, eschewing sexpot clichés in favor of classic, colorful, vintage frocks.