La Luz: The Story of Seattle's Surf Noir Queens
When guitarist and vocalist Shana Cleveland first dreamed up La Luz in 2012, she drew inspiration from the raw, reverb-soaked energy of surf legends like Link Wray, The Ventures, and Dick Dale, weaving in the lush vocal traditions of girl groups such as The Shirelles. Recruiting fellow Seattle musicians drummer Marian Li Pino, bassist Abbey Blackwell, and keyboardist Katie Jacobson, Cleveland built a band that was rehearsing, recording, and performing almost immediately. The name itself, Spanish for "the light," hinted at the luminous, shimmering quality that would come to define their sound.
After releasing the self-produced EP Damp Face in 2012, La Luz quickly caught the attention of indie label Hardly Art, signing a deal that would anchor the band's most prolific creative period. Their debut full-length, It's Alive, arrived in October 2013, introducing the world to their signature "surf noir" style — a thrilling fusion of reverb-heavy guitar, layered vocal harmonies, and a darkly cinematic atmosphere. Cleveland has cited Japanese guitar virtuoso Takeshi Terauchi as her single greatest guitar influence, a detail that speaks to the band's broad and adventurous musical palette.
The band's early journey was not without hardship. While touring in support of It's Alive and opening for of Montreal in November 2013, La Luz was involved in a devastating automobile accident when their tour van slipped on black ice between Boise, Idaho, and Seattle. After striking a highway divider, the van was hit by a semi-trailer truck. Band members sustained injuries, all their instruments were destroyed, and the remainder of the tour was cancelled. It was a traumatic chapter, but one the band refused to let define them.
Emerging stronger and more determined, La Luz returned in August 2015 with Weirdo Shrine, produced by the acclaimed Ty Segall. The record was rawer and heavier than anything they had released before, bristling with fuzz guitar and an urgent, live-band energy. Critics at The Guardian, Pitchfork, and The New York Times all praised the album enthusiastically, and an international tour followed. Around this time, the band relocated from Seattle to Los Angeles, a move that felt symbolic of their expanding horizons.
The years that followed saw La Luz continue to refine and deepen their craft. Floating Features arrived in May 2018, followed by their self-titled record La Luz in October 2021, both released through Hardly Art. Each album revealed new facets of a band unafraid to evolve, while their energetic live shows — often featuring Soul Train-inspired dance contests and crowd surfing — built a fiercely devoted fanbase around the world.
In early 2024, the band underwent significant changes with keyboardist Alice Sandahl departing after more than a decade and being replaced by musician and producer Maryam Qudus, known for her solo project Spacemoth. Bassist Lena Simon was also replaced by Lee Johnson. These new creative voices unlocked fresh sonic territory, with electronic effects and arpeggiators adding new textures to the band's sound. The result was News of the Universe, released in May 2024 through Sub Pop, an album that showcased La Luz at their most adventurous and forward-thinking yet.
Over a decade into their career, La Luz remains a vital, evolving force in indie rock. From their surf-drenched Seattle origins to the sun-bleached experimentation of their Sub Pop era, they have consistently proven that the best bands are never afraid to chase the light, no matter where it leads.