Digging the Dirt

posted in: Artist Features • Rock

Laurel Canyon has seen its share of rock stars over the past 60 years, with residents ranging from Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa and Neil Young to Pete Wentz, Jenny Lewis and Slash. And about 100 more famous names. Producer Rick Rubin’s studio is there, as well as countless others. So maybe it’s overly romantic to say that a lot of that frenetic, creative energy has seeped into the soil to produce great rock and roll records, but we’re saying it. And we’re holding up Northstar Session as proof. The southern California rock band’s music has the neo-country crackle of bands like Wilco along with the dreamy, pop luster of Nada Surf. A Letter Each Morning is a coal miner’s love song ” tender and dusty. But Northstar Session is also capable of aggressive, gritty bluesy rockers. In Feels Like I’m Falling swirling organs and staggering guitars push you to the edge, jab after jab until you feel like you’re about to topple into the melee. And if you’re looking for a good song for a sunset drive”hand out the window, wind streaming through your fingers“ play Not Alone. Sunshine and longing equals some serious heartstring action. Whatever it is in the dirt out there in the canyon, we’re loving it.