Los Angeles quintet Piel today released their single “Custodian,” the opening track from their upcoming debut release A.K.A. Ma out December 10 via Birs Recordings. The song was debuted live for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert where hosts praised Piel as “a very talented band” (Bob Boilen), remarking that “the lead singer’s voice is great and there’s something about the guitar that I just loved right away” (Raina Douris) and was included in NPR Music’s “Best Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw” list.
A.K.A. Ma is a six-song album and is largely dedicated to Thelma Lewis, the mother of lead singer and Piel co-founder, Tiki Lewis. The elder Lewis passed away in 2019, hence “Ma.”
The making of what would become A.K.A. Ma was not a conventionally produced album, but resulted in a formidable final piece of work. Jonathan Burkes, who initially recorded the songs before Birs was in the picture, handed over the tracks to producer, Cisco DeLuna. DeLuna (who championed the group and sought the green light from label owner, Scott Anderson, to get the record made), took what Burkes had and added additional instruments to the recordings. DeLuna’s production gave the songs a commercial radio glow, but without drowning out the band’s sound in the mix. This resulted in an indie-style/modern rock record that can capture the imagination of mainstream listeners, yet appease those in indie rock circles.
Piel lists nature, turbulence, resilience, injustice, mantras, light and dark and beyond among its influences (alongside artists like Joy Division, Sade and Pink Floyd). Piel matches it with a danceable rock sound, grounded by singer Tiki Lewis’ smooth delivery. According to Lewis: “while the bulk of A.K.A. Ma was completed pre-pandemic, divine sources are what guided us through the process, as well as through the dark aftermath of 2020.”
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to Cody at Clandestine PR.]