Indie Rock Hit Parade Live Session: Shannon Lay

Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade live session is a key member of expansive Los Angeles music scene. Shannon Lay has been a member of several beloved LA outfits, including FEELS and Ty Segall’s Freedom Band, but her solo albums show off her singularly unique approach. The most recent of those albums, August, was released last year as Lay’s debut for Sub Pop. Recently on tour with Mikal Cronin (who performs on August), Lay recruited a touring band that features even more LA luminaries: guitarist Shelby Jackson of Oog Bogo, drummer Sofia Arreguin of Wand and bassist Denee Segall, also of the Freedom Band. The whole crew stopped by to perform a set of songs that spans Lay’s solo career.

The session begins with a pair of songs from August that fit together like puzzle pieces. A gentle guitar figure guides “The Dream,” which is punctuated by a glossy keyboard part by Arreguin. What you can’t see is this format is the instrument-shuffling that took place as the song reached its conclusion: Arreguin retreated to the drum kit as Jackson took over keyboard duties for a rousing rendition of August‘s title track. Moving backward through Lay’s catalogue, we arrive at a performance of “Coast,” an abstract highlight from 2017’s Living Water. Clattering, percussive performances from each member serve as tent-poles to the song’s shifting arrangement. Finally, we arrive at a pair of songs from Lay’s very first solo album, All This Life Goin Down. “Parked” features intricate, intertwined picking between Lay, Jackson and Segall, as well as a steady beat from Arreguin. Closing the session is the title song from that early 2017 record. Lay’s voice flutters over delicate keyboards and more complex guitar work.

Listen to Shannon Lay’s Indie Rock Hit Parade session below, watch a video of “Coast,” and check out some of Jamie Stow’s photos from the studio.

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