The first act at the Echo on Friday night was Air Waves, a band from Brooklyn New York, who was playing for the first time in Los Angeles.
Frontwoman Nicole Schneit, on vocals and guitar, sang bumpy songs with plenty of poppy hooks, gentle loops and a soothing bass line.
Most of her songs seemed to have a melancholic tone, and a bright, almost childish at times, delivery, rolling like an unstoppable vehicle thanks to the three guitars and the steady but light drumbeat.
‘Ride the wave’ was probably one of their darker songs, ‘Circle of Gnomes’ was a fast folk whereas I was swearing I already knew ‘Gems’. ‘Waters’ had something from The Velvet Underground’s ‘I’m sticking with you’, this kind of mix including simplicity, innocence and brightness.
‘Knock Out’, which they performed with the help of Alaina Moore from Tennis, helping with the backup voice and the dance moves, was a lovely tune, a sort of pop tune you miraculously catch at the first listening with its repetitive line ‘I’m on fire, for the first time in my life’…