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Belle Brigade: Local Band We Love

21 January 2011 6,500 views 35 Comments by:

Belle Brigade original

The buzz behind LA band Belle Brigade, led by siblings Barbara and Ethan Gruska, has grown quickly for three significant reasons –

1) their maternal grandfather is Oscar- and Grammy-winning film composer John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark)

2) Barbara is an in-demand drummer on the LA music scene. She honed her skills at both Oberlin College and Cal Arts before dropping out to hit the road with The Bird and The Bee’s Inara George, followed by tours with Benji Hughes and Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis.

3) The songs are so catchy, you’ll find yourself singing them for days! A perfect example is “Sweet Louise,” which you can stream below (and download as Today’s Top Tune on Monday, January 24!)

Sweet Louise by The Belle Brigade

Jason Bentley has a few favorites on their album and calls their music “exhilarating.”   

Fleetwood Mac is the band comparison that comes to mind first because of their sweet harmonies. But it’s far more upbeat, almost like Fleetwood Mac set to the pace of life in 2011. Barbara’s drumming is obviously key and, in their live shows, it’s hard to take your eyes off her – whether she’s behind the kit or playing guitar.

They’ve been playing a residency at Spaceland all month and you can still catch them on January 24 and January 31.

RR

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35 Comments »

  • Tweets that mention Belle Brigade: Local Band We Love | KCRW Music Blog -- Topsy.com said:

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by KCRW Music, Rachel Reynolds. Rachel Reynolds said: Belle Brigade: Local Band We Love http://bit.ly/eVT0wu on KCRW Music Blog [...]

    # 21 January 2011 at 6:14 pm
  • geoff keller said:

    Great band, thanks!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:01 pm
  • @BetsyKCRW said:

    Thanks for the tunes KCRW!! ;)

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:01 pm
  • Kyle Rodri said:

    Thank you for sharing ! Love the BELLE BRIGADE!

    YOU MADE MY DAY!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:02 pm
  • Erika Wolf said:

    I want this album!!!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:02 pm
  • kacieyoshida said:

    Nothing like awesome contemporary folk music. Nice to hear new music.

    KacieYoshida@gmail.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:02 pm
  • kelliest said:

    i liek these guys and i think they are playing spaceland (or whatever they call it now) tonight right?

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:03 pm
  • Monica Sanchez said:

    I'm really digging this song!!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:03 pm
  • Skylar said:

    Belle Brigade is one of my favorite up and coming bands! So great live. What a joy.

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:03 pm
  • kelly said:

    okay, next time i will read to the bottom :)

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • Holly said:

    Love it!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • eddy gutierrez said:

    Always a pleasure finding new tunes :]

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • nuttyfrancis said:

    good stuff! Love the top tune!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • kacie said:

    Nothing like awesome contemporary folk music. Nice to hear new music.

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • sarah said:

    love this thanks mcsarahmac@gmail.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • Gita Isak said:

    ♬Loving the folk music♬–& thanks for the chance to win some!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • Helen said:

    Can’t wait to bop my head to their songs!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:04 pm
  • Michael Dickens said:

    "Sweet Louise" is a great song and thank you for sharing it with your listeners. Looking forward to hearing other songs by The Belle Brigade.

    Cheers. mdickens3@hotmail.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:05 pm
  • Carole said:

    this tune was the perfect music for monday morning!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:05 pm
  • stine sloae said:

    Love love love

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:06 pm
  • aileen said:

    Really enjoying discovering new music!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:09 pm
  • Lyndsey said:

    I couldn't get enough of this sweet tune once I first heard it on KCRW and I am so pleased it was today's top tune, thank you!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:12 pm
  • tyler wolf said:

    All right! Love the sound, and my record player is fiending for some new wax!!! Hit me!!!

    tylerjwolf@gmail.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:14 pm
  • psa said:

    Very nice

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:15 pm
  • Stewart said:

    I wanted to get this song a few weeks ago!!! And now I'm excited to listen to it as the top tune!!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:16 pm
  • Richard said:

    Absolutely LOVE belle brigade. Doing my part to spread the word!

    Contreras.richard10@gmail.com :)

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:16 pm
  • sher said:

    too late to be a winner but i love the music!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:21 pm
  • Tom said:

    KCRW is one of my main sources for finding out about great new bands – keep up the great work!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:23 pm
  • Dunnwood said:

    LOVE!
    heather.dunn@dunnenvironmental.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:24 pm
  • Tweets that mention Belle Brigade: Local Band We Love | KCRW Music Blog -- Topsy.com said:

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Seraphina, Betsy Moyer. Betsy Moyer said: Commented on Belle Brigade: Local Band We Love / KCRW Music News http://bit.ly/h26fb7 [...]

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:24 pm
  • RachelR said:

    Belle Brigade are playing TONIGHT at Spaceland if you want to see them live!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:28 pm
  • Shastina Rose Ann-Wallace said:

    Thanks for sharing! love it!
    shastoo@gmail.com

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:28 pm
  • Lauren said:

    Diggin it ;)

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:31 pm
  • Almas Sayeed said:

    Love Belle Brigade! Thank you, MBE!

    # 24 January 2011 at 9:34 pm
  • KJ Records said:

    The coolest most original sound since Jack White!!!

    # 25 January 2011 at 8:57 pm

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