The Los Angeles League of Musicians (often abbreviated as LA LOM) is an American instrumental band originating from Los Angeles, California. The band consists of guitarist Zac Sokolow, bassist Jake Faulkner, and percussionist Nicholas Baker. The trio began playing together at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where they experimented with a mix of distinct genres, including surf guitar, cumbia, and Peruvian chicha. The band has been noted for its fusion of multiple different styles.
Los Angeles League of Musicians | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Instrumental rock |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Verve Records |
| Members |
|
| Website | thelalom |
History
editLos Angeles natives[1] Zac Sokolow and Jake Faulkner met each other as teenagers and later began performing together in the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 2018, covering classic pop and soul songs from artists such as Aretha Franklin and Roy Orbison.[2][3] Nicholas Baker, also a native of Los Angeles[1] and a friend of Faulkner, later joined the band;[3] his introduction of congas led to LA LOM adopting a higher-tempo, Latin-inspired sound, incorporating genres such as cumbia and bolero. The band's three-hour sets, played five days a week, became a fixture at the hotel.[1][2] In 2021, they released their debut EP and began to upload their performances online.[2] The band's covers and original songs have received millions of views on social media.[1] LA LOM eventually stopped playing solely at the hotel and started to perform at bars and nightclubs around the Los Angeles area.[2][3]
Covers of cumbia and chicha bands form a large part of their discography; Sokolow cited bands such as Los Mirlos and Los Shapis as influences for their music.[1] Their discography also contains numerous original tracks; many of them have titles that pay homage to specific locations in Los Angeles, such as Santee Alley and Figueroa Street.[2][3] Sokolow described their music as an attempt to capture a "nostalgic feeling" of 1950s and 1960s-era Los Angeles.[3] Following an April 2024 concert, KCMP radio host Bill DeVille praised the band's style, which he described as a "blend of surf rock, cumbia sonidera, country twang and Peruvian chicha music."[4] Tyler Fox of The Pitch additionally praised LA LOM's "unique pastiche of musical influences and styles".[5]
In 2024, LA LOM announced the release of its first album, The Los Angeles League of Musicians, which was scheduled for 9 August of that year.[1] The album will be released through Verve Records, which signed the band in June 2024.[6] The band recorded the album with the intent of expanding on their live performances, including through the incorporation of instruments like the piano and organ. The album was produced by Wild Belle member Elliot Bergman and mostly recorded on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles.[2][3] The band toured with Vampire Weekend in support of their upcoming album.[1][7] The band is also scheduled to perform at the music festivals Newport Folk, Pitchfork London,[1] and the Telluride Jazz Festival.[8]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- The Los Angeles League of Musicians (2024, Verve Records)
Singles and EPs
edit- LA LOM (2021)
- Juana la Cubana (2023)
- Maravilla & Lucia (2023)
- Angels Point & Figueroa (2023)
- Llorar (2023)
- Alma Florecida (2024, with Gaby Moreno)
- Danza de LA LOM (2024)
- San Fernando Rose (2024)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Sissler, James (5 June 2024). "Cumbia Sensation LA LOM Announces Highly Anticipated Debut Album, 'The Los Angeles League Of Musicians' [Listen]". Live for Live Music. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Davies, Cerys (5 June 2024). "La Lom got its start at the Roosevelt Hotel. It's now opening for Vampire Weekend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Chiriguayo, Danielle (24 June 2024). "LA LOM embraces cumbia and retro soul with a Los Angeles twist". KCRW. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Bream, Jon (5 April 2024). "6 cool things in music this week include Waxahatchee, Peter Frampton and 'The Lion King'". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Fox, Tyler (11 April 2024). "California-Columbia hybrid trio La Lom sneak into The Ship ahead of tour with Vampire Weekend". The Pitch. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Eggersten, Chris (11 June 2024). "Signed: Kenya Grace Links Up With PPL, Carter Faith Inks Major Label Deal With UMG Nashville". Billboard. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Rivas Alfaro, Cindy. "Vampire Weekend takes the stage in Houston". The Cougar. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "LA LOM". Telluride Jazz Festival. Retrieved 21 July 2024.