Amo Amo is ready to shake things up in a vibrantly joyful way. The L.A.-based, mostly 805-raised band whips up an impressively locked-in sound of tight rhythms, irresistible grooves, and dreamy melodies. On Saturday, April 27, the soulfully psychedelic dream-pop/soul band will celebrate the release of its new, self-titled debut at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club a day after the album drops.
Produced by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, the new album promises to showcase Amo Amo’s flair for skilled, craftsperson-level musicianship and uncanny knack for catchy, classic vocal hooks. After igniting interest with a few gigs both near and far, the band has gained an assured admiration for its dynamism.
At front, the dual vocal dynamic of singers Lovelle ‘Love’ Femme and Omar Velasco provides an alluring tonal interplay; equally and essentially, the band moves and grooves with the honed percussive insistence of Alex Siegel (keyboards), Shane McKillop (bassist, of Gardens & Villa fame), and Justin Flint. The end result is something festive, sensual, hypnotic, and sun-beamingly relaxed. A recent performance at Montecito’s under-the-radar Midway Music Festival spoke to their cohesion as a band; there was something effortless in their skill.