El Camino Sutra began as temporary outfit for a rowdy gig at a Halloween party at the Blue Fin. The makeshift band was assembled by Keith Damron, who already had a presence in the local music scene through his band Bogie and the Turtles. When the Turtles broke up, Damron took a second look at his one-off collective.
The chemistry was there with Adam Behan on drums and Sean Browne on bass, and Damron was eager to present new songs and a different sound.
He summoned his influences – like Dinosaur Jr., Parquet Courts and Jonathan Richman – and constructed feedback-heavy, punk-slanted bedroom rock with a twist: ample harmonies.
With the recent acquisition of guitarist Jacob Elzey, formerly of the band Pipsqueak, that now means some game-changing guitar solos, too.
Damron’s lyrics avoid any lofty existentialism. His words are refreshingly honest, straightforward and stir sincere emotion about relatable experiences – like being dumped by a shallow lover.
Damron sings on the song “In Your Eyes”: “I got a new girl now/ she is so much sweeter/ never tries to put me down/ she thinks I’m alright.”
“In Your Eyes” and four other tracks are included on the band’s latest EP, due by the end of the year.
Another highlight from the album has to be “Blood N Guts,” thanks to the influence of post-punk rockers Parquet Courts, only with cooing harmonies of a Beach Boys song in the refrain.
It was recorded in Elzey’s bedroom. Tangled cords took over the house, some leading to the bathroom.
A full album isn’t far from sight, says Damron, and he plans for it to be more collaborative with other members of the band.
“We’re all writing songs,” he says. “It will be different, but still cohesive.”
El Camino Sutra shows are somewhat rare, largely due the young band members’ academic obligations, but Damron says they will play more frequently in 2017.
El Camino Sutra opens for Coachella Valley’s The Flusters, whose self-described “dreamsurf” is layered from the work of their influences, which range from Mazzy Star to the Smiths, and celebrates an array of elements that make great indie music.
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