Fizzing is an excellent word to describe the latest offering from Kiwi band Santa Barbara. Reptile Lover is collaboration between the LA based band and poet Jeffrey Holgate who provided the lyrics; it is like fizzy sherbet or delightful popping candy for your ears. This track is lively; fast paced and made me smile. Far from the moody theme of The Girl In Black, Reptile lover is extremely upbeat, with gorgeous bass guitar leading you into the track.  

The lyrics tell a story about a person who loves wearing tetrapod skins possibly snakes and lizards turned into shoes and handbags, maybe not PC but does tell a unique tale which works very well with Santa Barbra’s distinctive style of music.

The band is made up of Cassie Gaffaney, Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight) and Geoff Maddock (Goldenhorse). Cassie and Nick relocated to Los Angeles to join Geoff in 2014 and have made a name for themselves in the LA music scene with their cool alt/rock style. I haven’t got my finger on the pulse of the LA music scene, but I reckon it would be pretty cut throat so this is a noteworthy achievement. 

Psychedelic, colourful sixties inspired videography accompany this very catchy song, a trip back in time but with a modern twist. More Austin Powers then Woodstock; with in your face strobing lights, creative camera angles and loads of hallucinogenic colour changes. Certainly a moving visual display of psychedelic art. The video team is made up of Director, Chris Miyasaki and Cinematographer, Anthony Ignacio, while the recording of Reptile Lover was done at producer Jim Scott’s Plyrz studios by fellow Kiwi Neil Baldock (Crowded House, Let Live, Neil Finn, Common).    

I am glad I got the opportunity to discover these guys, Cassie has a beautiful voice and compliments Nick and Geoff extremely well with her vocals and guitar playing, the three of them together are rather swell and groovy and I can imagine they really do capture great audiences when they play live.

Reptile Lover has that cool California sound that makes you want to grab a surfboard and head down the Pacific Coast Highway with the radio blaring. Santa Barbra are definitely an exciting find and I look forward to hearing more from them.

They can be found on all the usual Social Media haunts and at http:/www.santabarbaratheband.com

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