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The Rentals

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Location: Los Angeles, CA

Websites:

• http://therentals.com
• http://myspace.com/therentals

Bio: The Rentals have often been cited as pioneers of the current neo-new wave movement. The group’s signature blend of pop songs features layers of violins, ... (more) violas, vintage synthesizers and boy/girl harmonies, and is as infectious as they are clever and heartfelt.

Founded in 1994 by then-Weezer bassist Matt Sharp, the LA music collective released their debut album “Return Of The Rentals” on Maverick Records and reached # 6 on the Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart with: “Friends Of P.” The single’s stark, Eastern Block style, black and white video where the members of the group barely move, embodied the band’s originality and independent spirit and became an instant MTV’s Buzz Bin favorite while leaving its fingerprints all over the future of independent music.

In 1999, after several worldwide tours, sharing the stage with such artist as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blur, Alanis Morrisette and Garbage, The Rentals released their ambitious sophomore album, “Seven More Minutes” which featured a diverse guest list of European artists and continued the band’s decidedly organic approach to collaboration and shape-shifting evolution.

A long hiatus followed until the band resumed their recording career again in 2007, first with a low-key collection of home recordings titled: “The Last Little Life EP “, followed by the launch of “Songs About Time” in 2009.

“Songs About Time” is The Rentals’ most ambitious project to date, involving a multi-media collaboration between the band, filmmakers, producers and designers to capture and reflect the band’s artistic journey of making a record about time during a single calendar year.

The first chapter on that journey is the 4 song mini album “The Story of a Thousand Seasons Past”, which spotlights a guest appearance by Pixie’s guitarist Joe Santiago who lends his trademark bent sonic plow to the lead track, “Song Of Remembering”. Full of stunning melodies and infectious grooves, “The Story of a Thousand Seasons Past” finds the group off to fresh musical ground and a newfound emotional intensity. The second release will be in July and the final chapter in October. Each mini album will be made available to stream or purchase exclusively on the bands official website.

The sprawling online experimental process of “Songs About Time”, features 52 black and white films in 52 weeks with original scores and arrangements by the band, a daily photo calendar and a limited deluxe edition box set. (less)