Baltimore-based June Pastel are an exciting new entrant into the dream pop world, dropping their first single “Without A Phrase” in February, giving the indie world a hint of what’s to come. The project of Venezuelan-American Anthony Peña, June Pastel was first conceived in Salt Lake City before becoming a full realized project in Baltimore. On Friday, June Pastel released the second single, “All To Come”, off the forthcoming debut album, Collages (due out June 29th via The Native Sounds), that certainly shows why Baltimore’s experimental scene is a great place for June Pastel to find their niche.
Taking a page from the dreamy guitar-based pop of artists like Wild Nothing and Craft Spells, June Pastel brings his own spin to the genre, incorporating chamber music and jazz including the existential sequence with about a minute left in “All To Come”. Think Burst Apart era, circa 2011, from The Antlers as June Pastel hits it’s chill stride at the end of the song. June Pastel’s music is a journey full of transitions attacked with a precision to every detail that provides a vividness to the atmosphere of each song. His vocals are smooth and comforting, but show an inner pain that perfectly suites the emotive songs he has produced. This is music you want to get lost in, evoking different colors and landscapes, making for one of the most exciting new releases coming up this summer.
Not only is June Pastel’s debut album Collages coming out on June 29th, they are also setting out on tour of the US in July and August, hitting 14 cities around the country including a stop here in our hometown of Atlanta at The Bakery Atlanta . Check out the full list of tour dates at the bottom.
While we’ve been playing June Pastel’s music on repeat, Anthony Peña was nice enough to take over our Monomania playlist and share 6 tracks that he’s had on repeat lately. If you are digging June Pastel, your sure to love Anthony’s picks for our playlist. Listen to June Pastel’s new single above, and check out Anthony’s song choices and thoughts on each below, including our Monomania Spotify playlist, tour dates, and more info on June Pastel:
Kevin Krauter – “Keep Falling in Love”
Finally caught wind of Kevin’s solo work, we’ve all become pretty good friends with Hoops since our last show together in the fall. Shout out to the killer music scene in Indiana! These new releases are refined and shiny works. Worth every repeat.
Night Beds – “Jade”
By accident – I caught a Night Beds set after doing an interview at a Latinx web show – and I couldn’t be more grateful. Night Beds changed my life. Winston has since taken the project through different shapes and just released a new EP. A lot of thought and detail goes into any project Night Beds releases. I’m thankful for every single one.
Paul Cherry – “Like Yesterday”
We just played an intimate June Pastel show with Paul and his homies Reagan Cats here in Baltimore. Very excited to connect more with these tunes and all the hip stuff going on in Chicago. This has to be the grooviest thing i’ve heard come out in recent. Sleek. Check it out – help Paul stay out of college debt – as he explains.
Crumb – “Recently Played”
In comes this euphoric – story telling – wizard band. My friend and bass player John Murphy played this on the last tour and I was shook. This group’s sound is so round and full of colour. Also great lyrical content. Much respect to everything Citrus City has been putting out. We’re looking forward to playing one of their shows on upcoming summer tour.
Nina Gala – “Bare Bones”
Nina Gala is a pure light here in Baltimore MD. And a unique one at that. Infectious and lifting. She’s super real. I’m glad to have met Nina through my photographer friend Anthony Lupacchino. I have not been able to let go of her music since the moment I first listened. Thank you Nina! This is a film and song she showcased at Light City.
Luke Reed – “I’m Dreaming”
This record was released through our label around the time June Pastel also ended up joining The Native Sound family. It has served as back drop to a wild ride. Luke Reed is a bedroom-pop-master-extraordinaire! We were warmed and welcomed by him and his partners this last spring at our tour stop in Boston.
