Biography
"We shouldn't ignore our common feelings about innocence and excitement… on a sunny day when you don't know how to describe how you're feeling…there should be songs for that, too."
(Justin Riner, San Fernando Valley Sun - December 29, 2005)
“Fun,” “original,” “approachable,“ and “uplifting” are rarely the type of reviews LA club bands get, but for fans of Loverlee, those are feelings that have come to be expected. The one-year-old six piece “lo-fi pop” band is designed in the image of other ensemble bands such as Camera Obscura, The Arcade Fire, The Concretes, and Belle and Sebastian as well as paying homage to influences like Mirah, Eels, and Brian Wilson.
Brought together in late 2005 by Justin Riner, whom the LA Times said “plays musical mad scientist” (Buzz Bands, March 2002) for his work in previous bands, Loverlee brings a down-to-earth and light-hearted sound to the generally overly product conscious Los Angeles music scene. This approach has garnered fans for the band for its simple, fun, and relatable music.
Consisting of a talented group of multi-instrumentalists- Jason Krane (guitar, bass, mandolin), Lauren Brooks (keyboard, guitar), Genevieve Kwong (keyboard, bass, flute), Valerie Ngai (upright and electric bass, drums), Jessica Isaac (drums, keyboard), and Riner (drums, guitar, accordion)- Loverlee uses creates a feeling of familiarity and spontaneity by using a wider variety of instruments to dip into a larger variety of genres and sounds than most bands.. “Our constant sharing of instruments and lead vocals makes for a true group feel and avoids the doldrums of the same fingers on the same instruments through a whole set. This gives each song its own feel and distinctive vibe,” Krane reflected. Kwong agreed, “It keeps the show from being about one person. Things don’t get stagnant on stage and we’re able to use each members’ strengths as they apply to each song.” Audience members enjoy this arrangement as well, many of whom site the on-stage movement as an extension of down-to-earth nature.
In September 2006, Loverlee released their self-produced debut, “Bon Jour: The Hello EP.” The eight track collection of songs from the band’s first months together was recorded and produced by Krane and reflects the fun and eclectic songwriting of a band that works as a collective. Their unique, largely organic sound comes from a mix of “kid” instruments like the tiny junior drum set and children’s Casio keyboards and normal “adult” instruments. Their wide range of abilities, unique instrumentation the organic sound and appeal of the band is broad, greeting audiences with encompassing lyrics and stage persona.
Loverlee is continuing to grow and garner attention with new songs of fuller arrangements and tighter stage dynamics. The band was invited to be one of the original ten “featured bands” on Alternatv; they’ve hit the main stage of the Knitting Factory as opener for Imperial Teen and Donita Sparks of L7; and have been popping up on lists such as the LA Times’ annual 10 songs to download by unsigned artists.
Loverlee is, all at the same time, unique and comfortably familiar.
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