Jimmy Pitts
Gypsum’s self-titled debut album, released October 21st on Sonic Ritual, is a reverb-drenched, rhythmically challenging, and harmony-laden affair. With engineer Mark Rains at the controls, who has worked with pioneering female musicians Alice Bag and Tanya Tucker, this Los Angeles post-indie rock trio take their affinity for riot grrl and update it with modern textures and techniques. “We’re super democratic and collaborative,” says guitarist and vocalist Anna Arboles. “We had to take time to grow and adjust, to develop the maturity to get through this record-making process.”
Gypsum is full of rich textures and tasteful effects, adding layers of depth that reveal themselves with repeated listening. Gypsum’s infatuation with world rhythms is present here, with experimental loops and live percussion creating a push and pull throughout the record. Leaving no stone left unturned, they’ve even looked to literature for ideas, citing Joan Didion as the inspiration for the imaginative track “Margaret.”
The name Gypsum comes a mineral that takes both functional and vibrational forms. The band was inspired by the name and idea after a visit to the L.A. Natural History Museum. It is fitting for a group that manages to sound so ethereal while maintaining their band’s democratic ethos.
Music Fiends recently asked Gypsum guitarist and vocalist Sapphire Jewell, “Who’s your little friend?”
This is my most recent photo of Hendrix. He’s my bean boi (note the toe beans in the pic (^ – ^)). He’s named after Jimi Hendrix and he is my cute little demon boi who likes to scream for water from my Brita
and wants to live in my mesh laundry hamper. He is also a hard-core gamer.
Stream Gypsum here.
Watch the video for “Lungs”:
Comments