Los Angeles Artist Spotlight: Adult Books

Los Angeles based post-punk band Adult Books were named after the X song “Adult Books.” The band was formed by Nick Winfrey and released their first self-titled EP in 2012 via Lollipop Records. Their original lineup consisted of brainchild Nick Winfrey and his long time friends Sina Salessi (drums) and Alex Galindo (guitar/synth), who released the band’s full-length debut album Running from the Blows in 2016. The band have been on hiatus since the release of their debut album, but appear to be making a comeback with a brand new release in 2021.

Nick Winfrey hails from Orange County but has been making a name for himself in the music scene in the hipster areas of Los Angeles. Winfrey pokes fun at the niche scenes in LA from “Silverlake Goths” to “Suburban Girlfriend” and “Nihilism for Beginners” in a lighthearted manner. Running From the Blows is unpretentious in its sound and begs to be blasted in the car.

“Silverlake Goths” sounds like Ramones mixed with post-punk synths. Take a listen and imagine a gang of goth kids loitering around Silverlake hipster hangouts.

The opening track to Running From the Blows “Casual Wrecks” paints a picture of jaded love song with lyrics like “I can’t remember last night, but my memory is only of you / I drink, but I can’t even taste anymore / I taste the blood in my mouth, it tastes of you.” Their love found moment had clearly passed as Winfrey finishes with lyrics “I called her up, she asked me to not call anymore / I hang up the phone, I’m always a lover than you / Not to pass, but I’ll always be in love with you,” knowing that he’d blown it with this girl. Take a listen here:

Although they haven’t released any new tracks in a few years, the band have announced that a new album is in the works for 2021. They released “Innocence,” the first single off the new album on their Bandcamp on October 22. “‘Innocence’ is about the end of a relationship and being unable to set boundaries with an emotionally demanding ex. The song plays on the idea of sacrifice within romantic relationships – the ways we sacrifice our energy, our happiness, our own well-being,” the band describes on Bandcamp. Their sound picks up right where the band left off with a down tempo post punk beat and raspy punk vocals. Take a listen and get pumped for the new album here:

Along with new music comes a new label for the band as they’ve signed to Taxi Gauche Records. The new track was recorded with Johnny Bell of Crystal Antlers and mastered by Dave Cooley (Ariel Pink, Animal Collective). Look forward to the new album in early 2021!

Ilana Tel-Oren: Senior Editor at mxdwn.com. Ilana is a freelance social media marketer living in Long Beach, CA. She enjoys learning the ins and outs of marketing, and taking on new projects like “Indiecation,” a music blog website she personally created, designed, markets, and writes for. She obtained her BM in Oboe Performance at CSU, Long Beach, and recently received her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. In her spare time, Ilana enjoys listening to music and attending live concerts, playing the oboe, and writing for her blog www.theindiecation.com.
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