Loomis & The Lust

About Loomis & The Lust

The world could use a little California sunshine, and Loomis and the Lust are just the band to bring it.

On their sophomore EP, Space Camp, the Santa Barbara quartet fuse dance rock riffs to sun-soaked melodies for a sound that's as upbeat as it is unforgettable. Due out in late July, the EP is a sunny and dreamy soundscape like no other. "Good Time Lover" shakes from a bouncy beat into an infectious harmony, while first single "Barberella" swirls seamlessly between a '60s surf rock chorus and a MoTown stomp. Then there's "Move On" and "Bright Red Chords" which could be the anthems for any endless summer—equally danceable and hummable all at once. Loomis and the Lust continue to shine on Space Camp.

For vocalist and guitarist Will Loomis, Space Camp is a whole new place for the band. He elaborates, "We used keyboards for the first time on this EP, so there's a bit of a futuristic vibe to it. I think every guitar band goes through a keyboard phase at some point. This is ours!"

Those keyboards make "Good Time Lover" soar with style and soul. The band's gone in a decidedly dancier direction and you'll no doubt be grooving along to their latest tunes. "We love dance music," exclaims Will with a grin. "We love music that makes you want to dance. We dance across the US, while other bands just 'tour'. Austin went crazy over 'Good Time Lover' when we played it and we felt like we were on to something. For this album, we focused on making more songs that pull that sort of fun energy out of people. We want everyone to have fun!"

Listeners will no doubt have a blast with the intergalactically infectious "Barbarella." The song illuminates just how much Loomis and the Lust have grown since the release of their self-titled EP in 2009. Propelled by a fiery and fresh hook, "Barbarella" pays homage to Jane Fonda's classic sci-fi hottie of the same name with tongue firmly planted in cheek. "That song was inspired by how hot Jane Fonda looks in Barbarella," laughs Will.

There's no need for a big screen remake because Loomis and the Lust cut a video for the track that matches its fun feel and vibe perfectly as Will finds alien love crash landing in Santa Barbara. That's not the only video on deck though. The band has created a sharply hilarious viral clip for "A.D.D." that's set to hit YouTube in June.

Co-produced by Jay Ferguson [Spirit], Space Camp skyrockets listeners into the heart of the band's home state. Space Camp captures that California spirit, and Loomis and the Lust aren’t shy about representin'.

Will goes on, "With all of the traveling we've done, we've realized that Southern California has a very laidback vibe. We seem to use that vibe when writing songs. The area is about having a good time and enjoying life—not taking things too seriously. We try to capture that in our melodies. We just want people to shake those booties when they're listening to our songs and, if they’re female, preferably in front of us!"

In one year since dropping their debut, the band has received numerous accolades from the press and developed a live show that's caused dancing up and down the Cali coast and beyond. Loomis and the Lust was featured in Billboard and they also were lauded by MTV Iggy as one of the "Top 25 Best New Bands in the World." They also won the "Artist on the Verge" award at the New Music Seminar and garnered a $25,000 prize via OurStage.com. However, everything merely leads up to the release of Space Camp this July.

The band was formed by front man and songwriter Will Loomis along with bassist Noah Babcock in 2009. Anthony Sonetti, an award winning drummer from Musician’s Institute in LA soon joined, along with his friend Mike Dapra on lead guitar. The four live together and practice daily in their home studio in sunny Santa Barbara.

To truly experience Loomis and the Lust, you've got to see them on stage. Will continues, "The live show is like a relationship. We're always working on it, but we remember one crucial thing, it's about a good time for us and for you!"

The world will get to share many more good times with the band at Space Camp, as they continue to shine. "We hope to build on the momentum we've started to roll out, and just ride that wave. We certainly hope it's a very bright red future."

Get ready to dance with Loomis and the Lust all the way to outer space.—Rick Florino