Synth-Pop Sunsets

What makes for a quintessentially L.A. band? History tells us the answer is always in flux, from the pristine sun-and-surf pop of the Beach Boys to the hairspray and whiskey-fueled sleaziness of Guns n’ Roses and the G-funk-laced bangers of Dr. Dre and Snoop.

As for the present, you could make a case for Lana Del Rey’s Hollywood torch singing or Kendrick Lamar’s Compton revivalism, but I’d like to submit for consideration the quartet Parade of Lights.

What they may lack in popularity, they make up for in sound. The four-piece band — featuring founding members Ryan Daly (guitar, vocals) and Anthony Improgo (drums) along with Michelle Ashley (keyboard) and Randy Schulte (bass) — traffic in a big, bright, unabashed brand of SoCal synth-pop, a perfect soundtrack for a stroll down Sunset or Silver Lake.

Having taken M83 and early MGMT as its patron saints, the band’s look, sound and essence all seem tailor-made for a Coachella sunset or, if the band’s music videos are any indication, a road trip through the California desert shot exclusively in slo-mo.

Fresh off a run supporting Imagine Dragons earlier in the year, Daly and crew are now putting their weight behind the band’s debut full-length, Feeling Electric. Title track included, the record shoots shamelessly and often for big hooks, and largely comes away with a winning average. Expect the lights to be bright, the haircuts expensive and the hooks big.

New York’s alt-rock outfit Tribe Society joins Parade of Lights 8 pm Sunday, Nov. 29, at WOW Hall; $13 adv., $15 door.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!