PLUS

Los Angeles band Plus is one of those bands that strive to deliver straight-forward, modern and edgy electronic music with the grit and direct approach of indie rock, not unlike artists such as LCD Soundsystem, Two Door Cinema Club or Does It Offend You Yeah?

The timeless impact of rock and roll does not contrast with the metronomic precision and controlled blast of house music on their self-titled debut album, but instead brings both ingredients to the next level, opening new possibilities and generating new sonic textures, while keeping it all really direct and in-your-face. With such a dynamic and energetic approach, it does not seem weird to me that the band is quickly drawing a lot of attention online and within their local live music scene. From listening to these songs alone, I can tell this band can probably deliver their best on a stage, where the space between them and the audience is shorter than ever. Definitely give a listen to Plus if you are into the artists mentioned above, but also less aggressive electro-indie such as Miike Snow, I Used To Be A Sparrow, Simian Ghost or Passion Pit - Indie Music Album reviews

Tonight in L.A.: Gary Clark Jr., Dr. John, Ed Sheeran, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Ellie Goulding, Trombone Shorty, Petra Haden, Big Freedia, Incan Abraham, Zak Waters, Jr. Juggernaut, PLUS
by KEVIN on FEBRUARY 9, 2013

A huge Grammy weekend Saturday night:

? Might he cover Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour?” Austin’s Gary Clark Jr. does a show at the Roxy they’re calling “A Late Night With Gary Clark Jr.” — it starts at 11:59 p.m.
? The legendary Dr. John visits the Fonda Theatre.
? Grammy-nominated Ed Sheeran holds forth the Hollywood Palladium. That’s his video for “Give Me Love,” above.
? Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, whose collaborative album “Old Yellow Moon” comes out Feb. 26, play a sold out show at the Troubadour.
? Another sold-out show at the Wiltern: U.K. songstress Ellie Goulding plays the Wiltern behind her new album “Halcyon.”
? It’s Night 2 of Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the El Rey Theatre.
? The Petra Haden Choir plays the Church Sessions at the First Unitarian Church in Koreatown; her album of a capella movie theme songs “Petra Haden Goes to the Movies” came out in January.
? Party time at the Echoplex, with Big Freedia and Juiceboxxx.
? Incan Abraham headlines the Satellite, supported by Cuckoo Chaos and Mahgeetah.
? Zak Waters pops back into the Central SAPC, supported by Ghost Beach and Benedek .
? And Jr. Juggernaut celebrates the release of its album “Wake” with a show at the Redwood Bar.

Also:

Wayne Shorter Quartet and Esperanza Spalding at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
PLUS, the Janks and Huh at the Bootleg Bar
LA Font, Spaceships, The Withers, Luna is Honey, Tulips, Ladyheat at the Outpost
Spencer Livingston, Phoebe Bridgers, Janelle and Jules and Tyler Rogers at Lot 1 Cafe
Ozomatli at the Canyon
Paper Diamond and Vaski at Club Nokia
Johnny Mathis at the Agua Caliente Casino
Intocable at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk
Robben Ford at the Catalina Bar & Grill
Alex Dreamz at the Yost Theater
Seapony, Sanglorians and Rose Melberg at Los Globos
Feather Wolf, TraPsPs and Moi at the Smell
Fartbarf, Neighborhood Brats, Pu$$y-Cow and Horror Squad at El Cid
Sweetwater & the Satisfaction, Doran Danoff, Dawn McCoy, What Made Milwaukee Famous and Alanna Clarke at the Hotel Café
Children’s Show feat. the Pop Ups, the Okee Dokee Brothers, Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower, JumpinJazz Kids, Bill Harley and LA Parent at the Mint
Catahoula at the Federal Bar
Garland at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena
Missing Persons at the Tiki Bar
Angie Stone, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove and Richard Elliot at the Terrace Theater
Claudia Nygaard at Templar’s Hall
Finch at the Glass House
Baile Del Amor, La Amistad, El Trono, Tierra Cali and La Apuesta at the LA Memorial Sports Arena
The B-52’s at the Majestic Ventura Theater
Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble and the Lyris Quartet at Vitello’s Jazz & Supper Club
Kurupt at the Industry Theater
Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan at the City National Grove of Anaheim
Lantz Laswell & the Vibe Tribe and the Exquisite Corpse at the Mint
Hollywood Roses at the Whisky A Go Go
Nonpoint, Candlelight Red, Digital Summer and Gary Clark Jr. at the Roxy Theatre
Reagan Browne and Ground Zero at the Viper Room
B.O.B. at the House of Blues Hollywood
Kimberly Dawn, Joe Bresler, Garrett Lee Robinson and the Hidden Lines at the Foundation Room
Trinidad James at the Key Club
Bilal at the Del Monte Speakeasy
Restavrant, the Abigails, RT Valine and Dano Forte at the Detroit Bar
Micah Brown, Katastro and Mergence at the Constellation Room
Ryan Beatty, Pop Fiction and Asher Monroe at the House of Blues Anaheim
The Tubes, Moxie and Aspen at the Coach House - Buzzbands LA

On its first batch of recordings, L.A. quartet Plus aims to capture the moxie, danger and fun of a lot of post-New Wave artists, in the way a lot of third-wavers like Passion Pit have done. The results are little predictable, but the synth-wielding foursome of Dave Farina, Cameron Gharaee, Paul Hiller and David Powell can come at you with jagged rockers such as “Take You On” and arms-wide-open anthems like “Safety in Speed” and still keep it dance floor-friendly. For some reason, I am reminded of this particular moment in the ’80s, which had its audience then and, when properly updated, still does now. - Buzzbands LA

On its first batch of recordings, L.A. quartet Plus aims to capture the moxie, danger and fun of a lot of post-New Wave artists, in the way a lot of third-wavers like Passion Pit have done. The results are little predictable, but the synth-wielding foursome of Dave Farina, Cameron Gharaee, Paul Hiller and David Powell can come at you with jagged rockers such as “Take You On” and arms-wide-open anthems like “Safety in Speed” and still keep it dance floor-friendly. For some reason, I am reminded of this particular moment in the ’80s, which had its audience then and, when properly updated, still does now. - Buzzbands LA

Colombian based publication. Translation below,

El cuarteto de Los Angeles, Plus, nos ha enamorado, sus sonidos que nacen inspirados por bandas como LCD Soundsystem y artistas como Miike Snow, ha logrado fusionar los matices de sonidos electro, indie y rock. ¿Qué nos gusta de Plus? Letras bien escritas, voces impecables y que transmiten exactamente el sentimiento que expresan sus melodías. Es sorprendente además que Plus y sus cuatro integrantes, sigan haciendo música de la manera en que lo hacen, de manera “artesanal”, cada uno de ellos se encarga de tocar uno o más instrumentos y como ellos mismos lo dicen: “En un género que está cada vez más automatizado, nos interesa crear armonías que deriven en melodías únicas”

Nacido en San Francisco como un trío (Paul, Dave y David), Plus pronto se mudó a la ciudad de ángeles y fue allí donde encontraron a Cameron, quien gracias a su recorrido como productor/cantante se sumó para crear la mezcla perfecta que es ahora Plus.

Les dejamos dos canciones de esta banda, que este próximo sábado lanza su primer álbum titulado como la banda, si quieren comprar el álbum Plus, entren a su bandcamp. Imperdible!

Via Google Translate:

The quartet of Los Angeles, Plus, love us, their sounds are born inspired by bands like LCD Soundsystem and artists like Miike Snow, has managed to merge the nuances of sounds electro, indie and rock. What we like about Plus? Well written lyrics, and impeccable vocals that convey exactly the sentiment expressed his melodies. It is surprising also that Plus and its four members, continue to make music the way they do so "craft", each of them is responsible for one or more instruments playing and as they themselves say: "In a genre that is increasingly automated, we want to create harmonies that result in unique melodies "

Born in San Francisco as a trio (Paul, Dave and David), Plus soon moved to the city of angels and there I met Cameron, who thanks to his work as producer / singer joined to create the perfect mix that is Plus now.

We leave two songs of this band, this coming Saturday released their first album titled as the band, if they want to buy the album Plus, enter their bandcamp. Must! Quartet Los Angeles, Plus, love us, their sounds are born inspired by bands like LCD Soundsystem and artists like Miike Snow, has managed to merge the nuances of sounds electro, indie and rock. What we like about Plus? Well written lyrics, and impeccable vocals that convey exactly the sentiment expressed his melodies. It is surprising also that Plus and its four members, continue to make music the way they do so "craft", each of them is responsible for one or more instruments playing and as they themselves say: "In a genre that is increasingly automated, we want to create harmonies that result in unique melodies "
- Lineal Magazine

A unique blend of Electro and Rock, Plus (not to be confused with the crappy Japanese boy band) will appeal to just about anyone. I won’t lie, Electro isn’t exactly my favorite genre, so I went into my process of listening to Plus expecting to be less than impressed. After listening to them, however, I was pleasantly surprised. They have some really good beats and honestly, the Electro part of their sound enhances their likability factor.

Plus has some excellent vocals, and plenty of harmony. Plus reminds me a bit of Metronomy, but more so of The Teddybears. All three bands make use of Electro, but not in a way that would make you think you’re listening to something Techno. They use that Electro sound to add to the songs, not necessarily create the songs. Plus does an excellent job of blending their different sounds. There’s plenty of Indie to go along with the Rock and Electro.

I really liked their song Atom Bomb. It made me feel like dancing – and I hate dancing! I really liked the way the bass stole the attention of the song from the deep and thumping drums early on. If I had one of those super-expensive stereo systems in my car, I would drive around anyplace that had a road with Atom Bomb on as loud as I could get it. Atom Bomb has kind of a different feel than the rest of the songs. It’s less Rock, more Electro, but I’m not exactly sure how to classify it other than awesome.

The only thing I didn’t like about the song was that even though it was nearly four and a half minutes long, it went by too quickly. Good songs tend to have that in common. My recommendation? Make it an 8 minute song.

Feel free to give a listen or two to the rest of Plus’ songs below via the Reverbiest-of-Nations and let me know which songs are you favorite! Enjoy the goodness! - Marsbands.com