Emerging from Southeast Los Angeles, The Altons have become a fixture in the burgeoning West Coast souldies scene. Helping launch the Daptone Records imprint Penrose as one of the five premier groups on the label, The Altons blossomed from selling out local nightclubs to performing on the grand stages of Austin City Limits and the Corona Capital festival in Mexico–selling thousands of 45s in the process.

The heart of The Altons’ alluring sound is the distinctive and oft romantic vocal harmony of Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce. Their voices intertwine effortlessly, bringing a level of intimacy and sincerity to the music that groups can seldom achieve. Ponce’s virtuosic guitar playing is anchored by the formidable rhythm section of Caitlin Moss on drums and Chris “Bolillo” Manjarrez on bass, creating a captivatingly organic synergy. Together, the evolution of their sound can best be heard via the soulful, sing-along hit singles: “Over and Over” [borrowed as the viral song “Otra Vez” by ProdMarvin, which took over TikTok and Instagram in 2023,] and “When You Go (That’s When You’ll Know)” [sampled by Mary J. Blige on her Grammy-nominated album Good Morning Gorgeous.]

Their forthcoming debut album on Daptone Records, Heartache in Room 14, marks a significant evolution in their journey, as they collaborate with renowned Daptone Records producer Bosco Mann. “This whole album was a new experience for us, from the way we approach songwriting to how we recorded the music,” explains Ponce. Flores adds, “Working at Penrose with Gabe was a turning point for us. Our songwriting process was broken down and rebuilt focusing on lyrics, melody and arrangement. We started to create songs that felt vulnerable lyrically and contagious melodically. We welcomed the change and were like sponges in the new environment taking it all in.”

The opening track “Waiting” is a testament to that vulnerability. Ponce and Flores’s tender vocals tell a story of longing, love and the patience that goes with it. Backed by a haunting organ and creeping rhythm, the song is a head nod to the classic soul sounds that inspired them–albeit delivered with hallucinatory aplomb. Sung in spanish they deliver “Del cielo te cuido,” a heartfelt homage to the boleros of their abuela’s living room and “Perdóname,” a mid-tempo groover whose guitar driven instrumentation and heartbreaking lyrics create a moody juxtaposition that is uniquely theirs. “Your Light”, a dreamy, earnest declaration of love that further showcases the undeniably charming chemistry of Ponce and Flores. With the verses sung in heavenly unison the pleading call and response chorus brings another layer of depth and emotion to the track.

Scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2025, and with extensive worldwide touring in the works, the highly anticipated Heartache in Room 14 is poised to take The Altons distinctive brand of soul music to lofty new heights.

THEE SINSEERS:

Straight out of East L.A. and led by multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Joseph Quiñones, Thee Sinseers feature a full brass section led by Eric Johnson (Tenor sax), Steve Surman (Bari sax) and Joseluis Jimenez (trombone). The line up also includes sweet harmonies and a tight rhythm section consisting of Christopher Manjarrez (Bass), Francisco Flores (Guitar), Bryan Ponce (Guitar/vox), Luis Carpio (Drums/vox) and Adriana Flores (Vox). Together they are a part of a community of musicians who are tying together the nostalgic and the classic with the innovative and the new to bring a unique sound to soul music.

Thee Sinseers are part of the Colemine Records family led by Terry Cole, who released their first singles, “It Was Only A Dream” and “I Don’t Mind” in 2019, with a full-length LP, “Sinseerly Yours” releasing in March 2024. The band’s song “Seems Like” was also included in the inaugural compilation, “Presenting Penrose Records” from the Penrose imprint of the renowned, Brooklyn-based label, Daptone Records. The song “It Was Only A Dream” was featured in the feature film “Self-Reliance” starring Jake Johnson, and in the TV show, “Riverdale.”

To date, Thee Sinseers have dazzled audiences across the country in soul strongholds such as California, Texas, New York, Chicago, Oregon, and more. The road is paved in love and soul and Thee Sinseers are on their way to a venue near you soon.