Pebaluna

Pebaluna’s “No, I Can’t” is so smooth that it should be sipping cognac in a crushed velvet jacket after it took home your girlfriend, your mother, and your sister. It’s stripped down, acoustic, indie soul, but really, the only word you need to describe it is “smooth.” Maybe you could add a “damn” in front of that too.
The first 20 seconds or so are just vocals over finger snaps, but singer-lady Lauren Coleman’s voice is so damn good the whole song could just be that, and you wouldn’t ask for anything more.
Pebaluna’s album Carny Life is out September 18th, but you can pick up “No I Can’t” as a free download down below: - MP3.com

Pebaluna’s “No, I Can’t” is so smooth that it should be sipping cognac in a crushed velvet jacket after it took home your girlfriend, your mother, and your sister. It’s stripped down, acoustic, indie soul, but really, the only word you need to describe it is “smooth.” Maybe you could add a “damn” in front of that too.
The first 20 seconds or so are just vocals over finger snaps, but singer-lady Lauren Coleman’s voice is so damn good the whole song could just be that, and you wouldn’t ask for anything more.
Pebaluna’s album Carny Life is out September 18th, but you can pick up “No I Can’t” as a free download down below: - MP3.com

Pebaluna is a soulful new band out of Long Beach, California, and influenced by folk, R&B, country, Motown and funk. On the group’s new single “No, I Can’t” you’ll hear the loud-as-they-need-to-be vocals of Lauren Coleman glide atop the backing band’s minimalist folk shuffle. You will hear the artist’s strength as a lead singer in her tone and confidence, rather than volume. It is easy to compare her to Laura Marling, Regina Spektor and Fionna Apple in those respects.

On September 18th, Pebaluna will release it’s debut studio album, Carny Life. - Pop'stache

It seems that RX Bandits are getting as well known for their individual projects as much as their collective work and longevity. We recently profiled the continuing work of C-Gak, now there's a new band's debut album out with Matt Embree playing guitar and contributing vocals. But Pebaluna -- either a pun on Petaluma, some sort of moon rock reference, or both -- isn't just him or him as bandleader by any means, being essentially a new group with its own almost surprising appeal. Surprising, in that after another summer of Too Many Dully Obvious Indie Rock Records, it's always nice to hear something that simply works.

Part of the appeal of Carny Life is the constant feeling of engaging playfulness as opposed to the sense of enforced campfire singalong -- and vocalist/guitarist Lauren Coleman, a veteran of the Sound of Animals Fighting along with Embree and C-Gak, is the key here. Possessed with the kind of understated but strong and clear voice that would win attention on its own, she can just as easily bust out into a full-bodied performance -- "All Falling Down," the opening song, steadily shifts into a near anthem.

The sweet duet of "Baby What's Wrong" between her and Embree and the barn-burning live-in-a-room acoustic kick of "Honey" are other showcases, while "Siren Song" has her calmly singing over something that should be from a spooky spy movie circa 1966. Jessica Lankford's drumming is another key factor -- the brush shuffles on "No I Can't" aren't simply driving the song but also accentuating it along with everything from finger snaps, moody bass and Coleman's own performance It's sometimes startling -- in a gentle way -- how well the members are dictating mood as a team, such as when the somewhat darkly contemplative "Sister Sara" fades out and then the perky reverie that's the title track gently swings into life. Add in some summery soul moves on "Hopeless" and garagey r'n'b on "Please Me" and just maybe this is the album for everyone that actually pulls it off. - OC Weekly

It seems that RX Bandits are getting as well known for their individual projects as much as their collective work and longevity. We recently profiled the continuing work of C-Gak, now there's a new band's debut album out with Matt Embree playing guitar and contributing vocals. But Pebaluna -- either a pun on Petaluma, some sort of moon rock reference, or both -- isn't just him or him as bandleader by any means, being essentially a new group with its own almost surprising appeal. Surprising, in that after another summer of Too Many Dully Obvious Indie Rock Records, it's always nice to hear something that simply works.

Part of the appeal of Carny Life is the constant feeling of engaging playfulness as opposed to the sense of enforced campfire singalong -- and vocalist/guitarist Lauren Coleman, a veteran of the Sound of Animals Fighting along with Embree and C-Gak, is the key here. Possessed with the kind of understated but strong and clear voice that would win attention on its own, she can just as easily bust out into a full-bodied performance -- "All Falling Down," the opening song, steadily shifts into a near anthem.

The sweet duet of "Baby What's Wrong" between her and Embree and the barn-burning live-in-a-room acoustic kick of "Honey" are other showcases, while "Siren Song" has her calmly singing over something that should be from a spooky spy movie circa 1966. Jessica Lankford's drumming is another key factor -- the brush shuffles on "No I Can't" aren't simply driving the song but also accentuating it along with everything from finger snaps, moody bass and Coleman's own performance It's sometimes startling -- in a gentle way -- how well the members are dictating mood as a team, such as when the somewhat darkly contemplative "Sister Sara" fades out and then the perky reverie that's the title track gently swings into life. Add in some summery soul moves on "Hopeless" and garagey r'n'b on "Please Me" and just maybe this is the album for everyone that actually pulls it off. - OC Weekly

Hot days are upon us. Do you believe people made it through summer before air conditioning. It sure is hard to fathom what it was like in Texas and the rest of the Southern Tier back in those days. Heck, I remember nights when we showered and went to bed wet. As the clock approaches midnight coming home, my clothes were steamy and clingy, the air was still, and it was still 91 degrees. You could cut it with a knife. A state of torpor could easily ensue. I do find I wait until the sun goes down to do the heavy lifting. Ah, but this too shall pass.

Today’s band is Pebaluna (love the name!) The sun is shining brightly in the background of this video and they are barefoot, all putting me in mind of those AC-less days. The Los Angeles based group have debuted a new video for the song “No, I Can’t,” from the band’s forthcoming album, Carny Life, which will be released in just over a month on September 18. Pebaluna is Lauren Coleman on vocals, guitarist Matt Embree, bassist Jonathan Grillo and drummer Jessica Lankford. They will be performing a few dates in California leading up to the release of the album. Here is the exquisite “No, I Can’t”

-Jessie Scott - Music Fog

Hot days are upon us. Do you believe people made it through summer before air conditioning. It sure is hard to fathom what it was like in Texas and the rest of the Southern Tier back in those days. Heck, I remember nights when we showered and went to bed wet. As the clock approaches midnight coming home, my clothes were steamy and clingy, the air was still, and it was still 91 degrees. You could cut it with a knife. A state of torpor could easily ensue. I do find I wait until the sun goes down to do the heavy lifting. Ah, but this too shall pass.

Today’s band is Pebaluna (love the name!) The sun is shining brightly in the background of this video and they are barefoot, all putting me in mind of those AC-less days. The Los Angeles based group have debuted a new video for the song “No, I Can’t,” from the band’s forthcoming album, Carny Life, which will be released in just over a month on September 18. Pebaluna is Lauren Coleman on vocals, guitarist Matt Embree, bassist Jonathan Grillo and drummer Jessica Lankford. They will be performing a few dates in California leading up to the release of the album. Here is the exquisite “No, I Can’t”

-Jessie Scott - Music Fog

Bluesy finger clicking at the beginning followed by the soft almost whispering voice of Lauren Coleman is how Pebaluna introduce themselves. ‘No I Can’t’ is the perfect introduction to this folk band. Coleman’s voice sounds as natural as talking; it’s clear, occasionally sharp, but ultimately gorgeous and quite comforting. The warm guitar rounds off the simple use of strings which deliver a solid base to the vocals. The male backing provided by Matt Embree balances the sound and gives it the richness it needs so that it feels more complete. However, for me, it is the bass that gives it the proper fullness of sound, then again I am exceedingly inclined towards a bass guitar. Despite being quite an earnest, intense song, it is kept fun and light with an unpretentious ‘da da di da’ section that just fills the track with personality and originality. It is effervescent, not too overworked or overdone with quite bare, poetic lyrics (my favourite being ‘giving all of my love ‘til I ain’t got no more’ despite the grammatical inaccuracy). It is a solid, humble sounding song, full of passion; a labour of love and dedication but appears effortlessly done. - Vulture Hound Magazine

Bluesy finger clicking at the beginning followed by the soft almost whispering voice of Lauren Coleman is how Pebaluna introduce themselves. ‘No I Can’t’ is the perfect introduction to this folk band. Coleman’s voice sounds as natural as talking; it’s clear, occasionally sharp, but ultimately gorgeous and quite comforting. The warm guitar rounds off the simple use of strings which deliver a solid base to the vocals. The male backing provided by Matt Embree balances the sound and gives it the richness it needs so that it feels more complete. However, for me, it is the bass that gives it the proper fullness of sound, then again I am exceedingly inclined towards a bass guitar. Despite being quite an earnest, intense song, it is kept fun and light with an unpretentious ‘da da di da’ section that just fills the track with personality and originality. It is effervescent, not too overworked or overdone with quite bare, poetic lyrics (my favourite being ‘giving all of my love ‘til I ain’t got no more’ despite the grammatical inaccuracy). It is a solid, humble sounding song, full of passion; a labour of love and dedication but appears effortlessly done. - Vulture Hound Magazine

Pebaluna is a fast upcoming indie-folk quartet revolving around the songwriting of singer Lauren Coleman which, as soulful as it gets, maintains a light-heartedness that can't fail to seduce. Catchy blend of acoustic instrumentals and a soft-yet-powerful voice, the band's output beautifully illustrates that old 'less is more' cliché. Skipping at ease from low to high notes with nonchalant grace, swaying from folk arrangements to groovy soul and more, scatting even, Coleman proved in the Acoustic EP a confident versatility which the ensemble will be exploiting further in a first album to be released on September 18th. You can catch Pebaluna at L.A's Hotel Cafe on August 24th, and as a teaser here's 'No I Can't', first single off the upcoming record.- Tracy Mamoun - The Deli

Pebaluna is a fast upcoming indie-folk quartet revolving around the songwriting of singer Lauren Coleman which, as soulful as it gets, maintains a light-heartedness that can't fail to seduce. Catchy blend of acoustic instrumentals and a soft-yet-powerful voice, the band's output beautifully illustrates that old 'less is more' cliché. Skipping at ease from low to high notes with nonchalant grace, swaying from folk arrangements to groovy soul and more, scatting even, Coleman proved in the Acoustic EP a confident versatility which the ensemble will be exploiting further in a first album to be released on September 18th. You can catch Pebaluna at L.A's Hotel Cafe on August 24th, and as a teaser here's 'No I Can't', first single off the upcoming record.- Tracy Mamoun - The Deli

I’m not really qualified to comment on this track by Pebaluna. That said, I will ramble on per usual.
Ear catching. Notice taking. Information digging. This is what happened, in that order, when I opened up an e-mail containing a Soundcloud link to “No, I Can’t” and gave it a listen. At it’s core it is a bit of a whimsical pop tune, but without a lot of the usual enablers that accompany this kind of track. It has a touch of regret, a hint of sorrow, and a dash of antagonism.
I’ll be honest, the finger snaps alone would have probably sold me on this piece. I’m a sucker for it.
Fortunately for all of us, though, Pebaluna delivers an amazingly well rounded offering that is anchored by a voice that seems both world weary and innocent simultaneously.
Pebaluna can be found via Facebook and they will be releasing their debut Carny Life on September 18th. - Sirens Of Decay

I’m not really qualified to comment on this track by Pebaluna. That said, I will ramble on per usual.
Ear catching. Notice taking. Information digging. This is what happened, in that order, when I opened up an e-mail containing a Soundcloud link to “No, I Can’t” and gave it a listen. At it’s core it is a bit of a whimsical pop tune, but without a lot of the usual enablers that accompany this kind of track. It has a touch of regret, a hint of sorrow, and a dash of antagonism.
I’ll be honest, the finger snaps alone would have probably sold me on this piece. I’m a sucker for it.
Fortunately for all of us, though, Pebaluna delivers an amazingly well rounded offering that is anchored by a voice that seems both world weary and innocent simultaneously.
Pebaluna can be found via Facebook and they will be releasing their debut Carny Life on September 18th. - Sirens Of Decay

1. Pebaluna – “Hindsight (Lonely Girl)”/Carny Life

Oh, what sweet melancholy… “Hindsight (Lonely Girl)” is a new single from Pebaluna’s freshman album Carny Life, due out this summer. There’s a rustic charm to the acoustic guitar and pining desperation of the written words. It’s short and saccharine as Pebaluna’s songstress, Lauren Coleman, almost whimpers her way through the song, making you pity her relatable sappy regret. Damn all the ones that make you feel this way. Move over RiRi, it’s not time to feel like the only girl in the world, it’s time to feel like the loneliest one. Le sigh. - Music Under Fire

Soulful indie-folk foursome Pebaluna have announced plans to release their debut studio album, Carny Life, on September 18. Listen to the debut track, “No, I Can’t,” now at http://soundcloud.com/pebaluna/noicant.

Pebaluna songstress Lauren Coleman found her stirring voice at a young age, singing in a Las Vegas church choir and training her ear listening to Aretha Franklin in her parents’ car. It was only a matter of time before falling in love with musical instruments like the ukulele and guitar which she quickly picked up and began writing original music.
Coleman teamed up with Matt Embree (RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting) and began making music in Embree’s makeshift garage/studio under the name Pebaluna. After the addition of drummer Jessica Lankford and bassist Jonathan Grillo, the group began work on their debut album, Carny Life.
Carny Life chronicles Coleman’s personal experiences of heartache and hard-fought battles with self that are deeply ingrained within the lyrics and music. With Embree’s highly skilled songwriting skills combined with Coleman’s passionate vocals and guitar play, along with the help of Lankford and Grillo, Pebaluna’s debut is quite impressive to say the least.
Pebaluna will be performing a handful of dates leading up to the release of the album. Stay tuned to https://www.facebook.com/Pebaluna for more information!
Pebaluna Tour Dates:
July 11 - Long Beach, CA - 4th Street Vine
July 20 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse
Aug 22 - Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room
Aug 23 - San Diego, CA - The Irenic
Aug 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
Aug 25 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
Aug 26 - San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah

For More Information:
https://www.facebook.com/Pebaluna
http://pebaluna.tumblr.com/
http://soundcloud.com/pebaluna - Kill The Music

Soulful indie-folk foursome Pebaluna have announced plans to release their debut studio album, Carny Life, on September 18. Listen to the debut track, “No, I Can’t,” now at http://soundcloud.com/pebaluna/noicant.

Pebaluna songstress Lauren Coleman found her stirring voice at a young age, singing in a Las Vegas church choir and training her ear listening to Aretha Franklin in her parents’ car. It was only a matter of time before falling in love with musical instruments like the ukulele and guitar which she quickly picked up and began writing original music.
Coleman teamed up with Matt Embree (RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting) and began making music in Embree’s makeshift garage/studio under the name Pebaluna. After the addition of drummer Jessica Lankford and bassist Jonathan Grillo, the group began work on their debut album, Carny Life.
Carny Life chronicles Coleman’s personal experiences of heartache and hard-fought battles with self that are deeply ingrained within the lyrics and music. With Embree’s highly skilled songwriting skills combined with Coleman’s passionate vocals and guitar play, along with the help of Lankford and Grillo, Pebaluna’s debut is quite impressive to say the least.
Pebaluna will be performing a handful of dates leading up to the release of the album. Stay tuned to https://www.facebook.com/Pebaluna for more information!
Pebaluna Tour Dates:
July 11 - Long Beach, CA - 4th Street Vine
July 20 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse
Aug 22 - Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room
Aug 23 - San Diego, CA - The Irenic
Aug 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
Aug 25 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
Aug 26 - San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah

For More Information:
https://www.facebook.com/Pebaluna
http://pebaluna.tumblr.com/
http://soundcloud.com/pebaluna - Kill The Music

After recently covering Pebaluna‘s single “No, I Can’t,” I was offered the chance to speak with Lauren Coleman, the group’s vocalist. In addition to being a talented musician, she’s also a delight to talk to. The interview is reprinted below verbatim. Read and enjoy, and be sure to pick up their debut album, Carny Life, when it drops on September 18th.
1. How did Pebaluna form? Did you all know each other before you started writing together?
I was in a band in Vegas that opened for RX Bandits when I was 16. Jess was in another band that shared a practice studio with mine and I think we became such good friends because we were the youngest and the only girls. Jon and Matt have known each other since they were in diapers and I believe they played in a band when they were both really young as well. When I was about 17, Matt produced my band’s record and he and I bonded over old jazz standards, Bill Withers and Motown. He told me if I moved there I could use his studio whenever I wanted. At 20 I made the move and Jess followed a few years later to play drums.
2. Where did the name “Pebaluna” come from?
When I was younger I had a dog named Pebbles and she meant the world to me. She was a chunky little white chihuahua I bought from a pet shop that put her in with dogs that were way too large. She was SO tiny and they were just stepping all over her. When I was 17 I moved out and took her with me. I didn’t even have her there a week when someone left one of the doors open and she got out. She was hit by a car and I never really forgave myself. When it came time to name my music something, I wanted to name it after her. Kind of in gratitude for her unconditional love. I used to call her “my little Pebble Luna” and Matt suggested changing the spelling.
3. I understand you used to sing in a Las Vegas church choir. What can you tell us about that?
I sang in choir from third grade to high school. I went to Catholic school until my mid-Sophomore year and what I loved most was that we had music class. I never sang in front of anyone unless it was at church or at the yearly recital. For some reason I was always embarrassed. It’s very weird to have everyone looking at you. I still get that way sometimes. But I loved learning every song and all the harmonies. I would say I’m a very spiritual person, but not a religious one. In some songs I mention God or say Lord, but I’m not specifying a faith. Usually that just means I’m looking for an answer that I know is somewhere already in my mind or that I’m hoping for mercy in a situation that I’m just too tired of dealing with.
4. Who would you say your biggest musical influences are?
My dad would ALWAYS play the oldies station in the car and to this day I love listening to that more than anything. When I really started singing I remember having Mariah Carey’s “Daydream” album and a “Best of” Aretha Franklin record that I would practice with for hours. Then of course Ella Fitzgerald. She sang every note so pristinely, so perfectly. Her tone and pitch were unbelievable. When I heard Janis Joplin I was amazed by her tenacity and how she didn’t seem to just sing. It was as if she was just feeling something so raw in each moment and this fearless yet incredibly vulnerable sound came out. And then listening to Fiona Apple and Ani Difranco, I was so impressed by their lyrics and the fact that they could make the ties between poetry and music seem so effortless, they inspired me as well.
5. Your upcoming debut album is entitled Carny Life. Why is that?
There’s a song on the album with the same name and it’s one of the last ones I wrote. It seemed the perfect way to sum up what my life had been throughout making the whole record. There were so many ups and downs, so many different interesting people that I had met, so much moving around– I just had a lot going on. That way of life just became my “normal”. And I think musicians and carny folk aren’t really all that different. It seems a lot of them leave home at a young age hoping to travel the world and end up scraping by and going as far as they can. At least that’s what I’ve seen in movies about carnies. I don’t know though. I’ve never really met one. I may just be romanticizing. In fact I don’t know if it’s PC to call someone that. I’m definitely digressing now. Yup, a lot going on.
6. How does your writing process work? Is it generally as a group, or individual?
When Matt and I started the record, I didn’t know how to play anything. So literally half the record are songs that I wrote a cappella and brought to him for accompaniment. He was very intent on having me write my own songs and urged me to learn how to play different instruments. He has been more like a mentor and brother than anything else.
Once I began learning ukulele, guitar and piano, my writing style completely changed. I tend to write music and lyrics at the same time over a period of days. I’ll get the chords - Homeless Tracks

The soulful vocals of Pebaluna’s Lauren Coleman are rooted in a well trained ear and a mass of influences and memories. Her memorable impressions still include listening to Aretha Franklin in her parents’ car and Sundays singing in a Las Vegas Church choir. From these fundamental keystones, Long Beach, CA based Pebaluna have forged their sound which spans from Motown to gospel to folk. There is a healthy dose of sentiment in there as well which is demonstrated by their warm radiant tones and their quirky ways which include naming the band after a lost dog.

Matt Embree is Lauren’s frequent collborator and right-hand-man, the remainder being drummer Jessica Lankford and bassist Jon Grillo. Just feast your ears on ‘No, I Can’t’ which is the debut song from their album ‘Carny Life‘ due for release on 18th September. Lauren’s vocals sound effortless and the band are so in there, a very soulful and laid back track with a touch of a trip-hop back-beat. - Folk Radio UK

The soulful vocals of Pebaluna’s Lauren Coleman are rooted in a well trained ear and a mass of influences and memories. Her memorable impressions still include listening to Aretha Franklin in her parents’ car and Sundays singing in a Las Vegas Church choir. From these fundamental keystones, Long Beach, CA based Pebaluna have forged their sound which spans from Motown to gospel to folk. There is a healthy dose of sentiment in there as well which is demonstrated by their warm radiant tones and their quirky ways which include naming the band after a lost dog.

Matt Embree is Lauren’s frequent collborator and right-hand-man, the remainder being drummer Jessica Lankford and bassist Jon Grillo. Just feast your ears on ‘No, I Can’t’ which is the debut song from their album ‘Carny Life‘ due for release on 18th September. Lauren’s vocals sound effortless and the band are so in there, a very soulful and laid back track with a touch of a trip-hop back-beat. - Folk Radio UK

From the inbox, a jam from Pebaluna that we happen to like. Typically, it’s a hard road for a singing chick to my heart but this makes it through all those roadblocks. - Folk Hive

Not much can be found out about her or ‘them’ on the nets, cept that Pebaluna is from Long Beach, Ca and that they make music that goes perfectly with our sweet serenade mixtapes. I think its best to let the music speak for itself and you will probably like this as much as i do. Spread the word – and thanks for the tunes, Pebaluna - Chromemusic

Not much can be found out about her or ‘them’ on the nets, cept that Pebaluna is from Long Beach, Ca and that they make music that goes perfectly with our sweet serenade mixtapes. I think its best to let the music speak for itself and you will probably like this as much as i do. Spread the word – and thanks for the tunes, Pebaluna - Chromemusic

Since Rx Bandits announced their indefinite hiatus last year, the crew have been laying low. That was up until today when a link on their twitter feed linked to a soundcloud page for Pebaluna, a new outfit featuring Lauren Coleman, Jessica Lankford, Jonathan Grillo, and former Rx frontman Matt Embree. - Bedwetting Cosmonaut

Since Rx Bandits announced their indefinite hiatus last year, the crew have been laying low. That was up until today when a link on their twitter feed linked to a soundcloud page for Pebaluna, a new outfit featuring Lauren Coleman, Jessica Lankford, Jonathan Grillo, and former Rx frontman Matt Embree. - Bedwetting Cosmonaut

Pebaluna, the new project of Matt Embree (RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting), have released their video for "No, I Can't." Watch it in the replies. - AbsolutePunk.net

Pebaluna, the new project of Matt Embree (RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting), have released their video for "No, I Can't." Watch it in the replies. - AbsolutePunk.net

Pebaluna is an up-and-coming indie group from California that fuses folk with soul for a unique flavor of musical excellence. The band has announced that their debut studio album, Carny Life, will be released on September 18th of this year. They released the debut track,”No, I Can’t,” just a few days ago. In today’s highly competitive world of music, a new band needs a strong debut to prove themselves. “No, I Can’t” is the perfect example of the right way to start.
The strength of this song lies in its simplicity. It starts with the bare minimum, and subtly builds from there. It’s a prime example of how musical minimalism, done right, can lead to a rock-solid product. The instruments are the perfect complement to Lauren Coleman’s exceptional voice. Influenced by Aretha Franklin, Coleman’s vocals are soulful, soft enough to draw the listener in but strong enough to keep them there.
Incredible vocals, jazzy snaps, groovy drums, ukulele flair and piano padding, all these ingredients go in together to create an end result that’s downright irresistible. This is definitely a band to keep your eye (and ear) on. Just a few seconds into the track and I was already dying for September. Check it out for yourself below. - Homeless Tracks