Escondido

Jessica Maros and Tyler James are the two creators of the band Escondido. Since beginning their recording careers together in 2011, they’ve put out two albums, most recently their sophomore effort, Walking With A Stranger, out last month. Initial vibes hint at country, but it becomes clear that rock music is at their core. Their Southwest style is complete with stinging trumpets around the edges and that ever-present twang of their electric guitar. By channeling their inner Ennio Morricone and Fleetwood Mac, they’ve made it easy to conjure up memories of shimmering mirages and cacti, maybe the occasional lizard, too. But sonically, their sound draws easy comparisons to First Aid Kit and Mount Moriah.

Walking With A Stranger is the kind of album you take with you on a road trip through a desert like Death Valley, which happened to be a major source of inspiration during the writing process, though it was mostly produced in Tyler James’ bedroom. The intensive touring life on top of recording another album hit Maros and James hard, so the duo took a break from each other but reunited in the Southwestern desert. Their feelings of loneliness and missing that special someone are major themes across their most recent releases, and it’s safe to say that producing an album this time around was quite a bit more strenuous for them.

That’s not to say that they fell short of a solid piece of work. Together their two full-lengths have earned significant recognition and they’ve embodied a sound of their own. The past few years have seen tours with Lord Huron, The Lone Bellow and Wild Cub. Their songs have been featured in shows like HBO’s Girls and the film Sex Tape. After their recent SXSW appearance, they’re currently headed on their own headlining tour around the U.S. »

– Gina Pieracci