On the West Coast, Durand Jones & The Indications resonate with classic soul music lovers, especially those who have an affinity for that East L.A. brown sound. The band has nudged themselves into the popular Lowrider culture with more than four million YouTube views of their hit “Is It Any Wonder?” which gives tribute to love, glossy 1964 Chevy Impalas, and neighborhood pride.
The band played SOhO Restaurant & Music Club last March as part of their American Love Call tour, selling out the show weeks in advance of their stellar performance. Live, singer Durand Jones alone elevates the music with his gritty tenor; his soaring vocals are straight-up gospel driven. Drummer Aaron Frazer’s falsetto complements Jones’s vocals, while bassist Kyle Houpt, keyboardist Steve Okonski, and guitarist Blake Rhein lay down the other needed elements within their soul formula.
The band has created a knack for hitting the right guitar licks and deep background harmonies that are the signature pieces to the East L.A. sound. “We really try and pay attention to the songcraft,” Frazer explained. “The sonic elements of the drums are fat and big with vocal arrangements. I think it really comes down to the songwriting. If you can build a sturdy foundation, you can record anything regardless of the genre.”