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Spanish Love Songs

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Spanish Love Songs
Spanish Love Songs performing in 2019
Spanish Love Songs performing in 2019
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2013–present
Labels
Members
  • Dylan Slocum
  • Kyle McAulay
  • Ruben Duarte
  • Meredith Van Woert
Past members
  • Gabe Mayeshiro
  • Trevor Dietrich
Websitespanishlovesongs.com

Spanish Love Songs is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, that was founded in 2013.[1][2] The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Dylan Slocum, guitarist Kyle McAulay, drummer Ruben Duarte, and keyboardist/acoustic guitar player Meredith Van Woert. Slocum and Van Woert are married. Since their formation, Spanish Love Songs has released four studio albums: Giant Sings the Blues (2015), Schmaltz (2018), Brave Faces Everyone (2020) and No Joy (2023)

History

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2013–2019: Formation and early releases

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Spanish Love Songs was originally formed as a trio by Slocum, Mayeshiro, and Duarte. McAulay joined shortly after, making them a four-piece.[2] The band played their first show in August 2013.[2] They began recording their debut EP, which later became their debut studio album.[2] The band released their debut studio album in March 2015 titled Giant Sings the Blues.[2][3] The album was released through their own label.[2] In 2016, the band signed with Wiretap Records and rereleased their debut album with bonus tracks.[2] On October 24, 2016, the band released Little Giants, a collection of b-sides from Giant Sings the Blues. In 2017, keyboardist Meredith Van Woert joined the band, making them a five-piece.[2] In 2018, the band released their second studio album, Schmaltz.[2][4][5] On November 30, 2018, the band released a cover of "Funeral" by Phoebe Bridgers.

2020-2022: Brave Faces Everyone and Brave Faces Etc

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In 2020, Spanish Love Songs released their third studio album titled Brave Faces Everyone.[6][7] The album debuted at No. 21 on Vinyl Albums chart and No. 61 on the Top Album Sales chart with 2000 copies sold.[8] Along with the album, the band announced a tour in the U.K. with the Menzingers and a U.S. tour with the Wonder Years.[7] The tour started on January 25, 2020.[7] On July 14, 2021, the band released "Phantom Limb", a track from the Brave Faces Everyone sessions, along with a cover of "Blacking Out the Friction" by Death Cab for Cutie. On October 28, 2021, the band released a cover of "I Miss You" by Blink-182. On February 1, 2022, the band announced Brave Faces, Etc., a complete reimagining of Brave Faces Everyone, along with the release of the lead singles, new versions of "Generation Loss" and "Optimism (As a Radical Life Choice)". Three additional singles appeared on digital platforms in the weeks leading into the album’s release on April 15.

On August 4, 2022, the band released a cover of "We’ve Had Enough" by Alkaline Trio, as part of a compilation album for their label, Pure Noise Records.

2023–present: No Joy

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Beginning on March 8, 2023, the band began digitally releasing a series of cover songs, which, on April 25, was packaged as the Doom & Gloom Sessions. Its four songs were originally performed (respectively) by The Killers, Jimmy Eat World, Rilo Kiley, and Grandaddy.

On May 17, the band released a music video for "Haunted", the lead single from their fourth studio album, No Joy - itself released on August 25, 2023.[9]

Musical style

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Spanish Love Songs' musical style has been described as punk rock,[8][10][11] emo,[10][11][12] pop punk,[8][11][12] indie rock,[12] pop rock,[1] alternative rock,[13] garage punk,[14] and indie punk.[2] The band calls themselves "grouchrock".[2] Rich Wilson of AllMusic considers the band to be "[a continuation of] the emotional punk tradition started by bands such as Jawbreaker and Hot Water Music."[2]

Band members

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Current members[2]

  • Dylan Slocum – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2013–present), lead guitar (2013)
  • Kyle McAulay – lead guitar, backing vocals (2013–present)
  • Ruben Duarte – drums (2013–present)
  • Meredith Van Woert – keyboards, acoustic guitar (2017–present)


Former members

  • Gabe Mayeshiro – bass (2013–2016)[2]
  • Trevor Dietrich – bass, backing vocals (2017–2024)

Discography

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Studio albums

Title Album details
Giant Sings the Blues
  • Released: March 25, 2015
  • Length: 38:07
  • Label: Wiretap
Track listing
  1. "Bad Day" – 1:35
  2. "Nervous People" – 4:33
  3. "Concrete" – 3:15
  4. "Dying" – 2:58
  5. "Mexico" – 4:32
  6. "Vermont" – 3:37
  7. "Friends" – 4:12
  8. "Remained" – 4:21
  9. "Stranger" – 5:36
  10. "Bright Day" – 3:27
Schmaltz
  • Released: March 30, 2018
  • Length: 39:25
  • Label: A-F
Track listing
  1. "Nuevo" – 2:10
  2. "Sequels, Remakes, & Adaptations" – 1:56
  3. "Bellyache" – 4:29
  4. "Buffalo Buffalo" – 3:52
  5. "Otis / Carl" – 3:48
  6. "The Boy Considers His Haircut" – 3:56
  7. "El Niño Considers His Failures" – 3:12
  8. "Joana, in Five Acts" – 3:48
  9. "Beer & Nyquil (Hold It Together)" – 3:02
  10. "It's Not Interesting" – 4:28
  11. "Aloha to No One" – 4:33
Brave Faces Everyone
Track listing
  1. "Routine Pain" – 4:23
  2. "Self-Destruction (as a Sensible Career Choice)" – 2:59
  3. "Generation Loss" – 4:26
  4. "Kick" – 4:02
  5. "Beach Front Property" – 4:07
  6. "Losers" – 4:25
  7. "Optimism (as a Radical Life Choice)" – 4:26
  8. "Losers 2" – 4:03
  9. "Dolores" – 3:11
  10. "Brave Faces, Everyone" – 4:26
Brave Faces, Etc.
Track listing
  1. "Routine Pain" (Etc Version) – 4:46
  2. "Self-Destruction (as a Sensible Career Choice)" (Etc Version) – 2:44
  3. "Generation Loss" (Etc Version) – 5:19
  4. "Kick" (Etc Version) – 4:52
  5. "Beach Front Property" (Etc Version) – 4:47
  6. "Losers" (Etc Version) – 4:13
  7. "Optimism (as a Radical Life Choice)" (Etc Version) – 4:32
  8. "Losers 2" (Etc Version) – 4:30
  9. "Dolores" (Etc Version) – 2:47
  10. "Brave Faces, Everyone" (Etc Version) – 5:14
No Joy
Track listing
  1. "Lifers" – 3:34
  2. "Pendulum" – 3:34
  3. "Haunted" – 3:43
  4. "Clean-Up Crew" – 3:58
  5. "Middle of Nine" – 3:49
  6. "Marvel" – 3:35
  7. "I'm Gonna Miss Everything" – 3:21
  8. "Rapture Chaser" – 3:35
  9. "Mutable" – 3:16
  10. "Here You Are" – 3:08
  11. "Exit Bags" – 4:00
  12. "Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse" – 5:32

Extended plays

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Title EP details
Doom and Gloom Sessions
  • Released: April 25, 2023
  • Labels: Pure Noise
  • Length: 17:27
Track listing
  1. "Smile Like You Mean It"
    (originally by The Killers) – 4:04
  2. "Portions for Foxes"
    (originally by Rilo Kiley) – 4:45
  3. "Futures"
    (originally by Jimmy Eat World) – 4:10
  4. "Now It's On"
    (originally by Grandaddy) – 4:27

References

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  1. ^ a b "Punk's Spanish Love Songs Urge 'Brave Faces Everyone'". PopMatters. February 11, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Rich Wilson. "Spanish Love Songs AllMusic Bio". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – 'Giant Sings The Blues'". New Noise Magazine. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ Carr, Paul (27 March 2018). "Spanish Love Songs' 'Schmaltz' Is Cathartic for Anyone Seeking Sanctuary From Life's Unpredictability". PopMatters. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ Crowley, James (26 April 2019). "Losers Forever: A Conversation with Spanish Love Songs". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Spanish Love Songs Announce New Album, Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Leuthauser, Adrian (8 January 2020). "Spanish Love Songs announce new album with honesty-fueled song "Kick"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Glenn Rowley (February 20, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs Are Here to Help You Survive the 'Bleak Stuff' With New Album: Emerging Artists Spotlight". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Sacher, Andrew (May 17, 2023). "Spanish Love Songs announce new LP 'No Joy,' share "Haunted" (exclusive splatter vinyl)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Glenn Rowley (January 22, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs' New Single Is As Brutal As Honesty Gets". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c "Spanish Love Songs Are Here to Help You Survive the 'Bleak Stuff' With New Album: Emerging Artists Spotlight". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c James Crowley (February 20, 2020). "Review: Spanish Love Songs Enlighten a Horrible World with Brave Faces Everyone". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Pearlman, Mischa. "Album Review:Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces Everyone". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  14. ^ Andy Joice (February 4, 2020). "Spanish Love Songs – 'Brave Faces Everyone'". Punktastic. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Curtiss, Ryan (April 11, 2022). "Album Review: Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces, Etc". New Noise. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "No Joy, by Spanish Love Songs". Spanish Love Songs. Retrieved 2023-10-24.