MUSIC

Amo Amo Offers a Vinyl Sound in a Streaming World

The band's debut album blends classic songwriting with stripped-down production for a refreshingly vintage LP.

What happens when a talented group of songwriters and musicians teams up with the front-man of My Morning Jacket for their debut full-length album?

Amo Amo happens. The band's eponymous debut is a well-crafted collection of groovy dream pop, but they don't allow themselves to get too wrapped up in the constraints of genre. The band is truly unbridled on their freshman effort, freely and gracefully weaving through an eclectic list of influences, resulting in a sound that is as unique as it is fun and infectious. The eight songs of this release show that Amo Amo is not a band that will allow themselves to be put in a box.

Come for the dream pop ambiance (expertly produced by the veteran of ethereal rock, My Morning Jacket's Jim James) stay for the jam band vibe and solos, funky guitar licks and bass lines, retro soul harmonies, and timeless songwriting. Much of this album sounds like something from another era – oscillating between the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Part of this can be attributed to the sparse and stripped-down, somewhat lo-fi quality of the production, but much of this vintage sound comes from the songwriting itself. It is almost entirely organic, save for a couple of synths layered into the mix here and there.

Amo Amo is not feeding into the trend of heavy sampling, auto-tuned vocals, big electronic drums, or 808 basses that pervade pop music today. They are making modern music the old-fashioned way – with nothing more than a bass, a guitar, a keyboard, a drum set, and a few microphones. This album was made for vinyl.

The band's self-titled debut album comes out on April 26. If you like what you hear, you can catch Amo Amo on tour this summer.

Amo Amo




Dustin DiPaulo is a writer and musician from Rochester, New York. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University and can most likely be found at a local concert, dive bar, or comedy club (if he's not getting lost somewhere in the woods).


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L.A. psych-pop band Amo Amo has a new music video out, called "Closer To You."

"Closer To You" is the second single from Amo Amo's soon-to-drop debut album, produced by Jim James of My Morning Jacket. Although a new project, the band is already creating a buzz, especially after sharing the stage with Os Mutantes, Hailu Mergia, and Jonathan Wilson, and has more shows scheduled post-Christmas, including two at the Independent in San Francisco. We decided to reach out to the group to learn a little bit more about the new project.

Amo Amo - "Closer to You" OFFICIAL VIDEOyoutu.be

How would you describe yourself?

We are nectar in your flowers, prisms in your crystals, and notes in your coffee.

What is the most trouble you've ever gotten into?

Pursuing music as a profession.

What's your favorite song to belt out in the car or the shower?

A song that we wrote together and will never be released for obvious reasons. The chorus is "living it up na na naaa na na naaa."

Who is your favorite music artist?

Any living artist that is sharing and embodying a message of peace.

What musicians influenced you the most?

Bowie, Marley, Freddie, Bjork, Piaf, Heart, Wonder,Clinton (as in George).

What's the story behind the band's name - Amo Amo?

Our old name "The Mother Tongues" was under trademark so Jim James and the band sat in a kitchen for 3 weeks with no cellphone service or wi-fi watching Stranger Things and eating dark chocolate peanut butter cups till the name Amo Amo was birthed. In our free time we made an album.

Who makes up the band and what instrument do they play?

Everyone sings backing vocals in the band. Love is lead vocals with a little guitar, Omar is also lead vocals with lead guitar, Alex is keys, Shane is bass, and our heartbeat, Justin (lil juicy box), on drums.

How did you hook up with lead singer Love Femme?

Love showed up to a session one day with a huge white tiger head backpack and a real ball python in hir pocket, sang some words into a microphone and that was that.

Your music video for "Closer To You" is wonderful. What was the inspiration for the song?

"Closer To You" is a song about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, whether it be between lovers, nature, a dream. Letting go of the hurt and embracing truth, understanding, maturity.

The video for "Closer To You" presents visuals reminiscent of the '60s hippie movement. Where did the idea come from?

The video was inspired by naturists, not hippies. It's a duet between "humans" and the earth and ends with a joyful return to an organic identity as vast as the ocean.

Most artists like to believe their music is evolving. Is yours? If so, in what way?

Amo means love and we mean it. The sound evolves on an unspoken, instinctual/psychic soul level, melodically, and the lyrics evolve according to our awareness, experiences and the work we do.

What's next for you musically? An EP, an album, or more singles?

An EP will be released early next year.

Will you be doing any touring?

We have some good tour dates in the U.S. lined up for next year.

Follow Amo Amo Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


Randy Radic is a Left Coast author and writer. Author of numerous true crime books written under the pen-name of John Lee Brook. Former music contributor at Huff Post.


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