Alternative Press FL coverage of LAVOLA’s set in Miami 9.11.15
![LAVOLA in Winter Park [8.7.15]](http://www.iamlavola.com/wp-content/themes/blacklabel/framework/timthumb.php?src=http://www.iamlavola.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11182819_480536205462720_8249828477399354224_o.jpg&h=230&w=590)
Good times in Winter Park. Sound sucked, but we made the best of it. Photos courtesy of Rotten Rabbit TV.
I was revisiting this SLDGHMR song recently (throwback to 2012).
It was the first time I tracked vocals on a song that wasn’t LAVOLA and I’m still really pleased with the result.
The lyrics, as briefly explained to me by the SLDGHMR dudes, are about feeling disenchanted by the state of music (or perhaps music, in general). Although, I initially interpreted the lyrics a little differently (I suppose it…deviated) they were more than cool with me adding the closing lyric (“This club is shivering at the core”) and just trying different things vocally.
I would definitely love to try something like that again at some point. In the meantime, here’s some electro funk for you.
-julian
Hey guys,
I wanted to briefly check in and let you know that Em and I are in 1 piece (and fully rested). More importantly, I want to thank you for making Summer of Cowardice an amazing experience for us.
Finally meeting you peeps in person after years of support was truly special.
Seeing familiar faces was just as special, as well.
Thank you for the tour gifts (Bobby, your gifts and gift wrapping skills are on point), the conversations, & the warm welcomes. I can confidently say that you guys really get our music and are some insanely talented and nice people.
Expect more tours to come in the future, especially as we gear up to record more music in the future (namely a couple of the new songs you heard us tour recently).
Moving on, here are some other Summer of Cowardice highlights.
Austin – Playing a second set behind The Rattle Inn for a few of you who wanted to hear Mary, Your Skull. This was my personal favorite date of the tour despite not having slept for over 48 hours.
Houston – getting behind the drums again.
New Orleans – You were a trip. The show itself was pretty relaxed. Good hangs with Tom Cooper at the show, too. He wrote a fantastic novel I just finished reading titled The Marauders (which recently got signed on by AMC for a TV series). Look out for that, it’s going to be insane.
Lastly, I have to shout out one of the other acts at The Neutral Ground, Clint Kaufmann. This guy turns poop jokes into excellent songs. Kazoo game is also on point. Personal favorite is “Balls Hang Low.”
Sanford – Pretty great sound at The West End. Good hang, Boxwood. And Josh and Chris! Playing to you guys is always a treat.
Boca Raton – Please Excuse the Blood encore at The Funky Biscuit. Such a blast playing with Beauty to The Moon for their album release show. Emily has been a fan of theirs for quite a while. On an unrelated note, some dude told me that my “swag was on another level” which is an interesting compliment. So this blog page will henceforth be refered to as iamswag. In his honor.
Anyway, thanks again. See you around.
-Julian
Hey Masochists-
We just made it to Austin after a grueling overnight drive. With various 5 hour energies (berry flavour or death), old school jams (not really, I just wanted to sound trendy) and French vanilla granola (aka bird food), we finally reached out destination.
Some interesting and/or totally ridic things I’ve seen so far:
1. Various gas station condoms with highly unappealing names such as the Tingler Ring, the Horny Goat, and my personal favourite, Rugged and Ready (who honestly would ever buy that?)
2. Texas flags. Everywhere. Literally. You can’t drive 5 miles without seeing one.
3. Many small/tiny-looking houses! Y’all probably know I am a fan of the THM (tiny house movement), and this both surprised and inspired me. Maybe Texas could grow on me.
4. Many dilapidated old buildings that look like UrBex treasures. If only I had gotten more than 2 hours of sleep, I would have pulled over to explore.
5. Ammo signs. Gun shops. Lots of gun-related gear.
We’re excited to explore what this musical city has to offer. In case you missed the memo, we’re playing tonight at The Rattle Inn. This is Lavola’s first time in Texas. Maybe George W. will come out and throw a Texas rose at my feet. One can dream, especially on very little sleep.
I hope to see some new and old faces tonight. Can’t wait to play for you.
Em
Emily & I performing an acoustic rendition “I’m Leaving Paris” followed by an interview live on WPRK 91.5 FM. This is Emily’s favorite LAVOLA song (and one of mine, as well). The hosts were also hysterical. Definitely one of the more fun interviews I’ve been a part of.
-J
I think I may have done even more damage to my hearing after our set at The Caboose.
Also, bringing out We Were Heroes for the Day was a lot of fun. Don’t really play that one out as much anymore, but maybe that’ll change soon. To the folks moshing, buying our merch, and becoming familiar faces…thank you. Your support truly means a lot to us.
Photography: Sights So Sudden
Rest in Peace Alex Rendon
Photography: Sights So Sudden
NPR announced they were accepting submissions for their Tiny Desk series, so Em & I dragged our tiny desk (and lamp) to Kraft Azalea Garden and harmonized a song of dissent & lament for the passers-by. It was particularly amusing to see how families reacted to screaming “The Queen is Dead.” You should try it sometime.
-Julian
*Video by our buddy Sights So Sudden.
Em & I saw Aimee Mann Friday night performing with THE BOTH. Laura Jane Grace opened. it was a lovely evening. very inspiring, especially to meet her afterwards (I still hold “Lost in Space” as one of my favorite albums).
On a seemingly unrelated note, I believe that any gig that begins with a trail of blood leading from the venue entrance to the bar table, cops, fights, and people screaming at management that they “sell cocaine” is grounds for a bad show to come.
This was unfortunately the case for our LAVOLA acoustic gig Saturday night.
So thank goodness for the residual inspiration from The Both show. We surprisingly had really great time, with the set ranging from The Philosopher’s Daughter to a newer tune in 5/8 (or 5/4?..to be determined).
Also, I’ll try to post on here a little more often, as opposed to never.
Scatterbrained,
Julian