La Fonda
Seattle, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | SELF
Music
Press
Seattle-base indie soul pop collective La Fonda – comprised of Veronica Topacio (lead vocals), Valerie Topacio (Vocals, guitar), Jesse Cole (lead guitar), Bryan Dever (bass), Mike Wellner (drums), and Patrick Hodge (keys) – prepped for their brand new Good Love EP with the release of their new music video for all-too-relatable track “FOMO”. As Veronica’s rich vocals flood your ears, you are taken on a journey with her on car rides, down busy streets, and in the midst of party atmospheres surrounded by friends.
Turns out Seattle’s signature rain-drenched streets serve as the perfect setting for everyday shenanigans and impromptu dance parties. - IMPOSE MAGAZINE - MEREDITH SCHNEIDER
Our Seattle Song of the Week is La Fonda’s first single “Seasons Change” off their debut album Good Love. The song is laced with surf rock guitars and indie dream pop vocals while the lyrics tell the story of love lost over an upbeat melody. Veronica and Valerie Topacio beautifully harmonize their vocals over lively drum beats and bright keys as every instrument comes together to create an indie-funk tune. From this track alone, you can tell that each member from the six piece band brings a vital sound that allows them to produce such fun, catchy music. - Next Northwest
Emerging from the Seattle scene, is the dynamic group La Fonda. La Fonda is an indie-pop-soul band with surf-rock overtures. The band is fronted by two very talented sisters, Veronica (lead vocals) and Valerie (vocals and guitar). Both sisters are singer-songwriters. The band also includes a full lineup of stellar musicians including: Jesse Cole on lead guitar; Bryan Dever on bass; Patrick Hodge, keys; and Patrick McKenna on drums. Their single, "Seasons Change," off their EP 'Good Love,' is purely delightful and dreamy, contagious and catchy.
The song "Seasons Change" commences with an up-beat 64-bar intro. Rhythmic guitar playing and light percussion, with a clapping effect, establish a catchy groove; an electric guitar walk-in leads the rest of the band in for a sound that is uplifting. The energy of the band will get you smiling, moving and grooving or catching the next positive wave for a purely enjoyable musical ride. The first verse opens with Veronica on lead vocals, "Seasons change but my mind's the same. I still wake thinking about you." Veronica has a one-of-a-kind vocal presentation; her voice is smooth and warm - dreamy. The vocals to "Seasons Change" are laid back and relaxed. Veronica sings with ease and her style gives the song a soulful and inviting feel.
The song's structure is a verse-chorus format which works well as the chorus is extremely memorable, enhanced my vocal harmonies. "You and I we should have tried, but it's too late too late. We can't go back in time. You and I we should have tried, but it's too late too late. I guess this is goodbye. The theme of "Seasons Change" is universal. It is about a lost love, having met the right love at the wrong time, and about how life goes on and sometimes it is simply too late to go back in time and hit the rewind button. "But when the stars don't align And it's not the right time. Can't just stop, pause and rewind." The lyrics are reflective, honest and straight-forward making the song easy to relate to.
La Fonda gels well together; they sound like they are having a great time and it is easy to have a great time with them. This is exactly the kind of music you want to hear when you go out with your friends to have a good time. There is a wistfulness in the lyrics delivered by a soulful vocal tone over a groovy music foundation that never brings you down, instead they keep the energy upbeat and fun for just the right mix. Mid-way, La Fonda breaks into an instrumental section. Listeners are treated to a nice surf-rock guitar solo. The pulse picks up a bit as the song builds with a melodic bass line, keyboard fill-ins and crisp drums. The songs ends with a drum roll as their message is completed, "it's too late too late. I guess this is goodbye."
La Fonda is breaking the mold by adding elements of soul, pop, surf, and rock together to create a vibe that is uniquely their own; their music has an energy that is catchy and contagious with musicians who move and groove you, vocals and harmonies that are warm and inviting, and lyrics that shoot straight from the hip for everyone to relate to. For more information on La Fonda, please visit their website. - Indie Spoonful
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Rooted in surf rock and indie dream pop, La Fonda fuses the soulful vocals of sister singer/songwriters Veronica & Valerie Topacio with upbeat, funky grooves, exploring the introspective highs and lows of love, longing and loss with their catchy melodies.
Valerie & Veronica have used the art of poetry, story-telling and singing to help guide their youth. From singing in choirs to busking together at Pike Place Market, locals know to recognize them from their soulful ballads and spot-on harmonies. Stirred by the thriving music and collective art scene in Seattle, the sisters continue to be inspired by their love for music and writing and use this as a way to navigate woman, sister and adulthood. After playing as a soulful duo, it was only natural that the sisters would soon find themselves the brothers of La Fonda, combining their dreamy vocals with surf-rock inspired guitar sounds, lively drum beats and bright keys.
La Fonda recorded & produced their “Good Love” EP with head engineer Garrett Reynoldsof Electrokitty Sound Studio in Wallingford, WA.
Band Members
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