New Music Monday

Photo by Kelly Turso

Caramelo is a soulful Spanish-inspired alt-rock outfit that formed in New York City but waves a flag of international charm. Led by singer, songwriter and dancer Sara Erde –who is Brooklyn-raised but lived in Sevilla, Spain, for six years; guitarist and vocalist Jed Miley, hailing from a flamenco background in Seattle, and gritty hooks delivered by Sevilla-born singer Alfonso Cid.

Ride is the crew’s pop-friendly debut, as they say with “genre-crashing twists” to include a violinist/female mariachi, an accordion whiz from Ukraine, and a jazz bassist. The group’s debut mashes up funk with a Latin twist. But according to legend, the band insists that they are reveling in what is called “duende”, which in flamenco tradition is a manifestation of energy and passion, or as lead vocalist Erde says “…that’s what makes people say olé.” Favorite tracks: “Brooklyn” and “The Girl Is Gone”.

Austin-based Suite 709

Based out of Austin, Texas, Suite 709 mixes soul, rock and R&B to make a sound reminiscent of Lenny Kravitz with classic Motown tossed in. Forming in July 2009 (hence the name), the band is led by vocalist Jirod Greene, who states his earliest influences as Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Otis Redding and John P. Kee. Rounding out the quintet is Dietrich Schmidt on keys, David Butler on guitar, Drew Walters (bass) and Zach Boston (drums).

Though the group’s latest album Night and Day released on July 9^th, I’ve only had a chance to listen to their Live Hangout EP which was recorded via Google+ Hangout on August 3rd. Being that the guys are huge into utilizing social networking platforms to reach fans, their first single “I Like It” (also from Night and Day) is part of Google+’s most recent Ad campaign for “Hangouts On-Air”. But from the first listen of the EP, I felt as if a party was about to ensue. With tracks such as “Tonight Is My Night’ and “She Don’t Even Know,” Suite 709 might be one of my new favorite bands of 2012 (next to Alabama Shakes, of course). By the way, if you’re in Austin on Thursday, August 30, the guys will play a FREE show at The Parrish Room (214 E. 6th St.) at 9pm. See ya there!

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