Both long and short time readers of The Burning Ear know I love me some Pompeya. These Russians make the best beach music this side of the arctic circle. And they are bringing their warm vibes here to chilly (kinda) Los Angeles for 5 FREE shows in March. I’m proud to present the 1st of those shows next week at Highland Parks awesome new venue The Hi-Hat.
They will kick off their March LA residency next week for the following dates/venues:
Mon, March 7 @ Hi Hat (FREE!)
Mon, March 14 @ Resident
Fri, March 18 @ Origami Vinyl (acoustic set)
Wed, March 23 @ Sofar Sounds
Mon, March 28 @ Satellite
Russian pop/funk outfit Pompeya released their latest album Real last year and have been touring since with critical support from NPR, Stereogum, SPIN, Paste, Interview Mag, etc. Read more
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2016/03/POMPEYA_MARCH16RES_MAIN.jpg1224792Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2016-03-01 17:34:512016-03-01 17:35:10[LIVE] TBE Presents POMPEYA @ The Hi-Hat March 7th
Mana Island sound like the kind of place I’d love to visit. I’d pack a skateboard and my best headphones and just rip around the back streets and alleyways, lost in the city and lost in my mind. I just hope they grow aloe there. I’m definitely gonna get burned. Read more
https://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/11/Cinta-Vidal.jpg600600Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2015-12-16 12:38:022015-12-16 12:38:25Mana Island - "DOTS"
Russia’s own Cosmonaut Grechko is getting us all ready for the warm rays of summer with the kicked back daytime disco funk of “Anytime”. I would love it if this guy finally blew up this year. So smooth.
Get to know my favorite Russian tropical indie band Pompeya before they play The Spare Room tonight with Beginners! Its their last show in LA so we are going to celebrate their tour, SXSW, and most importantly the awesome piece of art they made for me…
TBE: Where are you right now? Paint us a visual picture!
(They painted a literal picture! Awesome!)
Pompeya:Â LA is busy. There is a lot of commotion, it’s very bright. But it is also inspiring, and we enjoy working here. Unless we are stuck in traffic. Well actually, traffic is fine because there is KCRW.
How would you describe your music to my grandma?
Melodramatic popular music.
How was your recent experience at SXSW?
There definitely was a lot to learn from this experience. The shows are very quick, no time for sound check, and the venues were not that nice all the time. A lot of stress, but also a lot of opportunity. For the first time – we feel good!
What is the best AND worst compliment your music has received?
The best is when people from unexpected demographics love our music. Something like “My daugheter is only 4 years old, and her favorite bands are Depeche Mode and Pompeya” or “My parents like Pompeya, and usually hate everything I listen to.” The worst compliment? Probably when people try to put inappropriate tags like “chill wave” with our music. These are very specific and we feel our music is of much broader influences and tastes than just one sub-genre that was popular for two years.
What is your proudest moment as a band so far?
It is still being here as the band — making a band, being in a band. Every step we reach, every new height, every new adventure, reminds us why we do this.
What is your next big dream or milestone as a band?
There are no dreams, only plans!
What is your dream collaboration?
We would like to collaborate with Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music.
What other bands are you guys listening too in the tour bus/van/boat right now?
We’re listening to the radio! On the road from Phoenix to LA we found a really nice station on Sirius XM – 1st Wave. They play cool 80’s like Duran Duran, Roxy Music, etc. This is our favorite type of music.
What is your favorite food/snack when touring?
Thai and steaks here in U.S. We are really miss the Russian food! We miss borsch!
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
You can expect 4 new songs! Well, actually 3 (“Satellite” you’ve heard already). Generally, the sound is fresh, but still the Pompeya the fans know. It’s a nice introduction of what to expect from the LP, too.
Brandonhttps://www.theburningear.com/media/2015/03/TBE-Header-Logo-2015-stack1.pngBrandon2014-04-10 12:57:262014-04-10 15:04:32[INTERVIEW] Pomepya talk about SXSW, Compliments, Satellite radio, and make an awesome picture for TBE!
I still remember sitting in my apartment in Warsaw, Poland, and getting an email from Russian band Pompeya about their music. That Cheenese EP quickly turned into one of my favorites of 2011, only to be eventually overshadowed by their full LP Tropical. There is something magical and effortless about their style and groove. Indie rock without too much rock. Beach music without the sunburn.
To my great pleasure, they are finally getting the love they deserve here in the states. Tropical got a proper US release last year. A full remix album followed in January. And now their new EP Night is coming soon and “Satellite” is the first taste. It’s soothing, danceable, and I can’t get enough of that flute.
Catch Pompeya at SXSW in Austin next week and then touring the rest of the states through April.
3/13 // No Shame Showcase @ The Blind Pig (5:00pm set)
3/13 // Bond Music Group Showcase @ Karma (9:25pm set)
3/15 // Kodex Showcase @ Speakeasy Kabaret (10:00pm set)
3/20 // Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos
3/26 // Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
4/2 // Seattle, WA @ Barboza
4/5 // Pomona, CA @ Acerogami
4/6 // San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
4/7 // Los Angeles, CA @ Bardot
4/13 // Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
4/15 // Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
4/16 // Atlanta, GA @ 529 Club
4/17 // Indianapolis, IN @ Do317 Lounge
4/18 // Nashville, TN @ The End
4/19 // St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
4/22 // Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/23 // Toronto, Canada @ The Drake Hotel
4/24 // Montreal, Canada @ Cabaret Underworld
4/25 // New York, NY @ DROM
Moullinex is the man behind the chart-topping 2011Â remix of Poland’s Kamp! and now he is doing magic work on another Eastern European crew. Russia’s Sohight & Cheevy (producer & vocalist) are new on the scene but with their debut EP Fonk is already getting Beatport traction. With a dangerously funky remix like this one in their arsenal I only hope they come play the States!
