BRUTUS VIII

Brutus VIII is Jackson Katz's rejection of his soft indie-rock band roots into no wave experimentation. Brutus VIII was started in 2013 as a solo project and after a few iterations has remained, for the most part, solo. With jarring and oftentimes abrasive live performances, Katz forces audiences to confront the expectations of a performer. The project is an exploration into the hyper masculine ideal, painting a picture of how ridiculous machismo-ism is. Brutus VIII personifies fear being the root of anger. In its most distilled form, Brutus VIII is a reflection of how society both stokes the flames of angry chauvinism and uses escapism to stave off the feelings of being trapped in a cycle of helplessness.

CASINO HEARTS

Casino Hearts formed with Jacob Rubeck (Surf Curse, Gap Girls) recording distortioned Bedroom Pop in his room while living in Reno, NV. Years later after moving to Los Angeles, he’s reunited with his old bandmate Nick Minor and recruited the songwriter Forrest to the group making their own version of Popgaze and 90’s romantic painful ear worms.

CUPID & PSYCHE

Los Angeles duo Cupid&Psyche is the dynamic new project of longtime collaborators Michael Vidal and Juan Velasquez. After a nine-year hiatus following the end of their late aughts indie-rock group, Abe Vigoda, singer/songwriter Vidal and guitarist Velasquez have reconnected to explore new sounds and build on their unique sonic sensibility. Cupid&Psyche offers heartbreaking songs with interlocking guitars, haunting electronics, and blissful production that builds upon the work both artists made with their post-Abe Vigoda projects. Their yet to be released material is nostalgic, while still refreshing. Vidal’s captivating vocals glide along Velasquez’s melodic guitar playing. Each track is draped in atmospheric synths and driven by an understated electronic rhythm section. The pair are carefully constructing their debut release with help from producer and drummer for LA band Moaning, Andrew James McKelvie.