Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased tracks, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Break My Heart” by La Sera from the 2012 album Sees The Light on Hardly Art.
If you hear a little Vivian Girls in La Sera’s latest album, Sees The Light, it’s becasue there is a little Vivian Girls in La Sera -- the band’s fierce, lovelorn power pop is courtesy of Katy Goodman, the Vivian Girls bassist who began writing solo material in 2009, signed to Hardly Art as La Sera, and has since released two 7″s and two full-length albums, the latest of which, Sees The Light, hit shelves on March 24. La Sera’s 2011 self-titled debut featured Goodman’s charming vocals and warm, bubbly instrumentation that, while reminiscent to Vivian Girls, marked a dreamy, poppy departure from her previous band’s DIY vibe. While still lighter than what we’re used to hearing from Vivian Girls, La Sera’s sophomore release is a more aggressive approach to love-centric power pop, proving that though Goodman has softened her sensibilities for La Sera, she still hasn’t lost her edge.
La Sera will be playing a few dates in California this April, but a full touring schedule has yet to be released. Make sure to check back with Hardly Art’s website for updates. In the meantime, here’s the video for “Never Come Around,” La Sera’s 2010 debut single:
