Eagle Rock, CA based rock kids Earlimart elegantly blend piano driven melodies with bursts of frenetic rock, firmly rooted in writer Aaron Espinoza’s Central California Valley upbringing. From their Ship collective studio, the produstion harnesses the sonic range of field crickets to distorted guitars to orchestral strings, weaving an intricately textured blanket layered under Espinoza's hushed, bittersweet vocals. Live, the band takes on night vs. day characteristics, punching feedback-driven guitars through crashing cymbals softening into multiple keyboard lullabies. The band is currently in the studio finishing the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed 2003 Palm Pictures debut Everyone Down Here. Earlimart is Espinoza (vox, guitar), Ariana Murray (bass, keyboards), Solon Bixler (guitar) and Davey latter (drums).

Rogue Wave began almost by accident in early 2002 when Zach Rogue decided to take some time off from San Francisco's Desoto Reds to record some of his own music. He set off to New York in March with the intention of recording one or two songs with a friend and came away with an album's worth of material that would later become Rogue Wave's debut, Out of the Shadow.

After returning to the Bay Area with a nearly completed record in hand, Zach decided to leave Desoto Reds and form his own group. At the end of 2002, while preparing the album for release, Zach rounded out the lineup with the addition of Pat Spurgeon (drums/samples/vox) Sonya Westcott (bass/vox), and Gram LeBron (guitar/keys/vox).

Since then, Rogue Wave has built a strong local following and has opened for bands like Spoon, Mates of State, Damien Jurado, and The Thermals. In September 2003 they toured the West Coast with The Clientele, The Tyde, and Destroyer. Spring 2004 sees them on a 3 week west coast tour with Mates of State with plans for extensive national touring for the rest of the year.

Built Like Alaska was born in the sun-annihilated Central Valley of California, landlocked between the Sierras and the Pacific ocean. Residing just north of Modesto, south of nothing, save long and winding roads through rolling pastures and what could barely be considered hills, is Oakdale, the town they call home. Many years spent here nurturing and expanding on their craft have led us to the present-day version of Built Like Alaska, which now consists of four musicians coming from influences far and projects wide. The players are: Neil (songwriter, singer, guitarist); Matt (bass); David (drums); and Susane (keyboards, guitar).

BLA’s sound is intricate yet simple- full of nuance, yet aggressive. The music is familiar, feeling like songs you have never heard but sort of always knew existed. Built Like Alaska's music is, in part, comprised of the soul and simplicity of aged folk music, subtly beautiful melodies, complex and deeply layered arrangements, crunching guitars with richly detailed interplay, soaring keyboards, and a well-choreographed yet reckless rhythm section. At the heart of it are Neil’s vocals, which have been described as both haunting and knee-buckling.

Live showcases bring forth the raw energy and mindful spontaneity of BLA’s music, and they've played with some of the best bands in today’s independent music collective- acts such as Grandaddy, Sparklehorse, Giant Sand, the Red House Painters, M. Ward, Earlimart, Pedro the Lion, Camper Van Beethoven, Elliott Smith, Dios and many more.

BLA rocks but sometimes lullabies, whispers but sometimes shouts, makes you feel anxious but then comforts- and always delivers a great song. Thanks for listening.

playinginfog.com