Getting to Know: Cuco, L.S. Dunes, and Spanish Love Songs

Omar Banos, better known as Cuco is a Chicano singer/songwriter and record producer from Hawthorne, CA. Racking up over 260 Million streams on his breakout single “Lo Que Siento” in 2017, after two successful self-recorded EP’s Wannabewithu and Songs4u. Inking a deal with Interscope Records for his first debut full-length titled Para Mi, which garnered over 290 Million streams. For Cuco’s newest record Fantasy Gateway, he teamed up with producer, songwriter, and engineer Manuel Lara (Bad Bunny, Kali Uchis) alongside, Andres Rebellion, Julien Bernal, and Ian Fitchuk (Kacy Musgraves) Determined to become the healthiest version of himself, Cuco spent time in his parents native land of Mexico, specifically Mexico City to look internally and develop his unique sound of chill, dreamy, psych inspired music.

Watch: Cuco’s latest single titled, “Best Disaster“.

Sounds Like: Hers, Banes World, Clairo

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Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys and the Ernie Ball Music Man – Kaizen 6-string guitar.

Luminaries from rock’s thriving post-punk, and hardcore scenes, guitarist Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), guitarist Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive), bassist Tim Payne (Thursday), and drummer Tucker Rule (Thursday) have joined forces to create L.S. DUNES. On their debut album, Past Lives L.S. DUNES deliver super-charged anthems crackling with punk energy for a sound unlike anything that has come before it. Dunes prove that you can’t beat the refreshing but familiar formula of loud guitars, a driving and powerful rhythm section, and passionate vocal delivery when it comes to a true rock formula.

Watch: Benadryl Subreddit (Official Music Video)

Sounds Like: The Bronx, The Sounds of Animals Fighting, Fear Before the March of Flames

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Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom and Burly Slinky electric guitar strings and Everlast Medium Light Phosphor Bronze acoustic strings.

Self-produced by the band and Collin Pastore (Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, Illuminati Hotties) and mixed by Carlos de la Garza (Paramore, M83, Best Coast) Spanish Love Songs put 12 songs together that tackle the difficult processes and emotions that come with living in the modern age rightfully titled No Joy. Uncertain of the answers themselves, the band tore themselves down, only to rebuild and find the next stage of their growth and evolution, leading to an overarching theme of finding internal peace and finding happiness with what you have, despite the world around you. Check out the music video for the single “Haunted” out on Pure Noise Records now below and look out for No Joy set to be released August 23rd, 2023.

Watch: The official music video for “Haunted“.

Sounds Like: The Menzingers, Arms Length, The Wonder Years

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Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky electric guitar strings and Stainless Steel Regular Bass Slinkys.