La Luz is an American rock band from Seattle, founded in 2012 by Shana Cleveland, Marian Li Pino, Abbey Blackwell and Katie Jacobson. La Luz has received critical acclaim following the release of five studio albums: It's Alive, Weirdo Shrine, Floating Features, the self-titled La Luz (all on Hardly Art) and News of the Universe on Sub Pop.
La Luz is known for their "surf noir" style, with layered vocal harmonies. Their energetic live shows often include Soul Train-inspired dance contests and crowd surfing.
History
Shana Cleveland formed the idea for La Luz after being inspired by surf and rock and roll acts like Link Wray, The Ventures, and Dick Dale, as well as girl groups like The Shirelles. Cleveland put together a band of fellow Seattle musicians (drummer Marian Li Pino, bassist Abbey Blackwell and keyboardist Katie Jacobson) and they immediately started rehearsing, recording and performing. The band name comes from the Spanish for "the light". Cleveland has cited Japanese guitar player Takeshi Terauchi as her biggest guitar influence. After releasing an EP titled Damp Face in 2012, La Luz signed with Hardly Art. Shortly after the release of Damp Face Jacobson left the band and was replaced by keyboardist Alice Sandahl. They released their first full-length album, It's Alive, on Hardly Art in October 2013.
On tour supporting of Montreal, La Luz was involved in a serious automobile accident on November 5, 2013, while traveling from Boise, Idaho, to Seattle, when their tour van slipped on black ice. After crashing into a highway divider, the van was hit by a semi-trailer truck. Band members sustained injuries, and all of the instruments and merchandise were destroyed with the tour van, forcing them to cancel the remainder of the tour.
In February 2014, bassist Abbey Blackwell left the group, and was replaced by Lena Simon. In August 2015, La Luz released their second album, Weirdo Shrine, again through Hardly Art. Produced by Ty Segall, the album was more live-sounding than previous efforts, and featured heavy fuzz guitar.Reiff, Corbin (August 7, 2015) "La Luz subverts the surf-rock sound on Weirdo Shrine," A.V. Club. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.Wing, Jaclyn (October 5, 2015) "LA LUZ on surviving a near-fatal car accident & producing new LP with Ty Segall," Performer. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.Geslani, Michelle (May 14, 2015) "La Luz announces new Ty Segall-produced album, shares 'You Disappear' - listen," Consequence of Sound. Retrieved on May 21, 2016. Weirdo Shrine received positive reviews in The Guardian, Pitchfork,Jack, Malcolm (20 October 2015) "La Luz review – surf 'n' mirth with a sinister undertow," The Guardian. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.Hood, Lindsay (August 3, 2015) "La Luz - Weirdo Shrine," Pitchfork. Retrieved on May 21, 2016. and The New York Times, and the group embarked on an international tour to support its release. They moved from Seattle to Los Angeles later that year.Gospe, Andrew (December 31, 2015) "Your New Year's Eve in Seattle music: Shabazz Palaces, La Luz and more," The Seattle Times. Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
In February 2024, Alice Sandahl announced her departure from the band and that she was being replaced by musician and producer Maryam Qudus, who has previously performed under the name Spacemoth. Near this time, Lena Simon was replaced by Lee Johnson on bass guitar. These lineup changes (especially with Maryam Qudus) allowed the band to develop its music style, using electronic effects and arpeggiators in some songs. The next album, News of the Universe, was released in May later that year by Sub Pop. Upon returning from touring the album, the band reworked and recorded five songs from News of the Universe and released them on a limited edition EP titled Extra! Extra! for Record Store Day Black Friday 2025. The EP was made available for streaming in January 2026.https://laluz.bandcamp.com/album/extra-extra
Band members Current Shana Cleveland – guitar, lead vocals (2012–present) Audrey Johnson – drums, backing vocals (2021–present) Maryam Qudus – keyboard, backing vocals (2024–present) Lee Johnson – bass, backing vocals (2024–present)
Former Alice Sandahl – keyboard, backing vocals (2012–2024) Lena Simon – bass, backing vocals (2014–2024) Marian Li Pino – drums, backing vocals (2012–2019) Abbey Blackwell – bass, backing vocals (2012–2014) Katie Jacobson – keyboard, backing vocals (2012)
Discography
Studio albums +List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions UKDL UKRS UKIndie UKIndie Br It's Alive Released: 15 October 2013 Label: Hardly Art Format: CD, CS, DL, LP — — — — Weirdo Shrine Released: 7 August 2015 Label: Hardly Art Format: CD, DL, LP — — — — Floating Features Released: 11 May 2018 Label: Hardly Art Format: CD, DL, LP — 13 33 10 La Luz Released: 22 October 2021 Label: Hardly Art Format: CD, DL, LP — 24 46 13 News of the Universe Released: 24 May 2024 Label: Sub Pop Format: CD, DL, LP 98 29 24 7"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Live albums Live from the Black Hole (self-released, 2021)
Instrumental albums La Luz Instrumentals (Hardly Art, 2022)
Singles and EPs YearTitleDetailsTracklistRelease2012Damp Face EP Label: - Self-released (2012) - Burger Records (BRGR 381, 2013, 2015) - Hardly Art (HAR 080, 2016) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss Formats: Cassette, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue1. Call Me in the Day 2. Damp Face 3. Sure as Spring 4. Clear Night Sky 5. Easy Baby Damp Face EP (2012)2013Call Me in the Day b/w Easy Baby Label: - Water Wing Records (WW09, 2013) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 rpm, Single1. Call Me in the Day 2. Easy Baby It's Alive (2013)Brainwash b/w TV Dream Label: - Suicide Squeeze (S119, SSQ119, 2013, 2015, 2016) Mixed and recorded by Johnny Goss Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 rpm, Single, Test Pressing, Limited Edition1. Brainwash 2. TV Dream N/A Single2015I'll Be True (La Luz) b/w Misunderstood (Habibi) Label: - Split single; Volcom Entertainment Vinyl Club (VEVC 0041, 2015) Formats: 7", 45 rpm, Limited Edition, Numbered1. I'll Be True (La Luz) 2. Misunderstood (Habibi) Weirdo Shrine (2015)You Disappear Label: - Hardly Art Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo1. You DisappearBelieve My Eyes (La Luz) b/w Don't Want That (Scully) Label: - Split single; Famous Class, (FC 032, 2015) Formats: 7", 45 rpm, Limited Edition, Single1. Believe My Eyes (La Luz) 2. Don't Want That (Scully) Less Artists More Condos #16 (2015)Clear Night Sky (La Luz) b/w Take a Short Breath (Old Lacy Bed) Label: - Split single; 2670records (2015) Formats: 7", Single, Limited Edition, Record Store Day1. Clear Night Sky (La Luz) 2. Take a Short Breath (Old Lacy Bed) N/A Single2016Live! at Sonic Boom Records 10/15/13 Label: - Analog Ghost Recordings (2016) - Burger Records (BRGR 381, 2013, 2015) - Hardly Art (HAR 080, 2016) Record Store Day 2016 release, edition of 30. Includes instructions on configuring a tone arm and photograph of the show. Formats: 7", Limited Edition, Record Store Day1. Pink Slime 2. Damp FaceLive! at Sonic Boom Records 10/15/13 (2016)2018Cicada Label: - Hardly Art (2018) Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo1. CicadaFloating Features (2018)California Finally1. California FinallyLoose Teeth1. Loose Teeth2021In the Country Label: - Hardly Art (2021) Formats: CD-R, Single, Promo1. In the CountryLa Luz (2021)The Pines1. The PinesMetal Man1. Metal Man 2022Endless Afternoon b/w San Fernando Blues Label: - Hardly Art (HAR, 144, 2022) Formats: 7", 45 rpm, CD-R, Promo1. Endless Afternoon 2. San Fernando Blues N/A Single2024Strange World Label: - Sub Pop (2024) Formats:1. Strange WorldNews of the Universe (2024)Poppies1. PoppiesI'll Go With You1. I'll Go With YouAlways in Love1. Always in Love
References
External links Official website