Not ones to let the tides slow their surf, Venice Beach duo MOVIE CLUB has written and recorded a full-length album since the beginning of the year. Fast, deep cut grooves and catchy, scratchy riffs makes “Thunder” the rocking first single off of “Black Flamingo” – Movie Club’s full-length record due out November, 2020. The band is Jessamyn Violet on drums and Vince Cuneo on guitar. In the past two years, they have released 3 EPs, earned local and international airtime, and performances all over Los Angeles. “Thunder” features special guest bassist Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, Black Crowes), is available on all streaming services today, Friday, September 4th, and we’re pleased to give you its first official hearing below, along with the band’s special Modern Instrumental Psych-Rock Spotify Playlist, curated by the band.
The 13-song album “Black Flamingo” will be released in November 2020 on digital & vinyl formats. The LP was recorded & mixed by Jeff Thompson in Los Angeles, California & mastered by Mike Tucci.
“Psych Club” Spotify playlist: a modern instrumental psych-rock playlist curated by Movie Club:
Formed in October 2018, Movie Club is a minimalist instrumental duo out of Venice Beach, California. They believe in the power of a strong and simple union between two instruments to cut through the oversaturated, overproduced music of today. Movie Club is Jessamyn Violet on drums and Vince Cuneo on guitar.
After only a few weeks of playing together, the band performed their first show for a Cal Jam party that local legend Robbie Krieger (The Doors) was headlining. Seeing the potential of the project, the two started writing every day and playing live around Los Angeles. The band experimented with mixing their favorite genres of music and channeling other instrumental groups.
They went on to drop two EPs, “Kraken” & “Hammerhead,” collaborating with producer Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids, Wargirl) and bassist Erick ”Jesus” Coomes (Dr. Dre, Kanye, Lettuce). The group performed 30 shows, received KCRW airtime, & built an international following in one year.
To further show their range, Jessamyn & Vince decided to make a grittier & more psychedelic EP with their third release “Man O’ War” out 3/31/20. Inspired by both modern and classic psych rock bands, they retreated to the desert to demo their new songs. Working with a different team, the four song EP was recorded at Kingsize Soundlabs by Brian Rosemeyer, featuring bassist Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, Black Crowes).
Drawing from their deep love of film, Movie Club produces and directs their own cinematic music videos in order to illustrate their visual, musical, & artistic influences. Their first music video, “Surf Basement,” is classic black and white. Beautifully shot by DP Mike Mast, it shows the group wandering a dilapidated pier in the Pacific ocean. “Navy Seal” is a tribute to surf rock legend Dick Dale, and was coincidentally recorded the day after he passed. For the music video, the group collaborated with notorious street artist Muck Rock & surf videographer Michael Veltman. For their latest “Man O’ War” music videos, they recruited talented videographer Dustin Downing. “Moonbow” was filmed in Venice and was an ode to Beastie Boys “Sabotage.” “Bones” was shot at an abandoned California water park and has heavy references to “Mad Max” and “Indiana Jones.” “Driftwood” was shot in front of iconic independent Hollywood venues during the quarantine as a video tribute to the end of an era.
Movie Club’s mission is to keep producing unique art for an international fan base. They are currently working on a full-length, one-of-a-kind album that will represent their musical & spiritual journey as an instrumental group.
