EP Review: Alaskan Summer (self-titled)

By Whitney Hawke

Alaskan Summer is coming. So slap on some sunscreen and get ready to bake, because these kids are hot. The Los Angeles duo consisting of Ashton Lunceford – a sprightly blonde pixy with a saccharine croon – and Douglas Smith (frontman of the band his Orchestra) is slated to released their self-titled debut EP June 29, and has an acoustic show at El Cid scheduled for June 15 to showcase their pure, unadulterated indie-pop to the masses.

The young twosome orchestrates tracks fit for summer nights on the back porch, barbecues in the park, or holding hands with a cute person you like a whole heckuva lot. With lyrics romanticizing kisses on the eyelids, third floor walk-ups, and love machines, Lunceford and Smith's songwriting plucks at the heartstrings. Carefully placed string arrangements – played by Paul Cartwright of Tandemoro – accent Alaskan Summer's otherwise acoustic, toned-down tracks to give the EP a holistic, full-bodied sound.

Recorded in Eagle Rock's Kingsize SoundLabs with producer Dave Trumfio (Built to Spill, OK GO, Jesus and Mary Chain), the six heartfelt tracks on Alaskan Summer feature accompaniments from Cartwright (violin, bass, trombone), Mike Griffin (electric guitar), and Shannon McKinnon (drums) – all of whom are in L.A. band Tandemoro. With a little help from their friends, Alaskan Summer recorded, mixed, and mastered the EP over the course of nine days in February, but the EP doesn't cut any corners. For a slick start to the summer, check out Alaskan Summer's self-titled EP when it hits the market June 29, or pick up an advance copy at their El Cid show June 15.

And the kids are just getting started. With one EP wrapped up, Lunceford and Smith have already begun work on an LP which they hope to release within the next year. If the fresh faced duo continues to crank out witty, snappy pop tracks, Alaskan Summer will be heating up the scene through the falls, winters, and springs to come.

Standout Tracks:

So I'll Wait -- catchy, jaunty, thoughtful.

Public Office – cute, soft, clever.

(Photo courtesy of Alaskan Summer's Myspace)

Comments

[J Smith]

Heard the EP on their Myspace page and bought on iTunes. Great heart-melting pop.