Balto (band)

Balto is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California composed of singer-songwriter Daniel Sheron, guitarist Carl Osterlof, bassist Benjamin Mower, and Drummer Seth Mower.[1]

Balto
Balto in 2018
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
GenresIndie rock, rock and roll Americana, psychedelic rock, indie folk, power pop, country rock
Years active2010 (2010)–present
Websitebaltoamerica.com
MembersDaniel Sheron,
Seth Mower,
Ben Mower,
Carl Osterlof

History

Balto began in 2010 as loose collective of musicians in New York City, performing the songs of singer-songwriter Daniel Sheron. Recently returned from a failed attempt to begin a journalism career in Russia, Sheron gathered a number of friends from past musical projects and set out to record a group of songs written abroad over the previous year. This project resulted in the recording of Balto's debut album, October's Road, which Sheron self-released in early 2011.[2]

Balto's early performances were largely confined to the Lower East Side of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and in the summer of 2011 the band embarked on its first national tour. Following the 2011 tour, Sheron relocated to Portland, Oregon and continued touring under the Balto name out of the Pacific Northwest.[3]

Over the next two years he slowly established a permanent lineup in Portland, consisting of Seth Mower (Drums), Luke Beckel (Guitar), Devon Hoffner (Bass), and Adam Finger (Keyboards).[4] This group would go on to record Call It By Its Name, a 7" released in 2015, as well as an LP – Strangers – released in 2017.[5] During this period, Sheron embarked on two solo tours in Russia.[6][7]

By early 2018, Sheron and Mower were living in Los Angeles. They brought on guitarist Carl Osterlof and Ben 'Bronco' Mower, who joined the band on a permanent basis.[1] 2018 also saw Sheron perform an extended series of solo performances in Central Europe,[8] as well as the release of several singles and 7"’s – Songs For Viktor (7"), Bullshit Dream, & Black Snake Mojave Blues (7")and their selection to perform at SXSW 2019.[9]

Music and artistry

Balto's musical sound incorporates elements of American Rock’n’Roll, Americana, Psych Rock, and Classic R&B.[5] What Youth Magazine described the band as "a blend of Americana, gospel, alt-country, and a speckle of psych."[10] Rolling Stone writes of the band's 2018 release, Black Snake, Mojave Blues - "Sounding like the twisted soundtrack to some 1960s beach party movie, this punky garage-rocker skewers the hedonism and hollowness of Los Angeles."[11]

Discography

Studio Albums

  • October's Road – 2011
  • Strangers – 2017

EP's & 7" Releases

  • Monuments (EP) – 2012
  • Call It By Its Name (7") – 2015
  • Songs For Viktor (7") – 2018
  • Black Snake Mojave Blues/Still Don't Know (7") – 2018

Music Videos

  • Airplanes – 2013
  • Born Astray – 2016

References
  1. Bronson, Kevin (December 10, 2018). "Premiere: Balto, 'Still Don't Know (What Love Is)'". Buzzbands. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  2. Monger, Timothy. "Balto". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  3. Daniels, Tiffany (October 22, 2012). "Interview: Balto". Drunken Werewolf. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  4. Prado, Ryan (July 18, 2015). "The Long Road Home: Balto's Old Fashioned Formation". Portland Mercury. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. Christensen, David (January 27, 2017). "Balto Live at OPB". OPB Music. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  6. Robley, Chris (October 31, 2016). "Touring Russia as a solo singer/songwriter (an in-depth look with Balto's Dan Sheron)". DIY Musician. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  7. Комяков, Влад (December 11, 2017). "Daniel Sheron (группа "Balto") поет Высоцкого в студии Радио "Комсомольская правда"". Комсомольская Правда. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  8. Am Mo, Francis (April 16, 2018). "Im Farbfernseher Mit Dan Sheron: Ein Interview". Aweyk in Berlin. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  9. "Balto". SXSW 2019 Schedule. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  10. Eslami, Maya (February 2, 2017). "WY Track Premiere: Shots in the Dark". What Youth. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  11. Crawford, Robert (February 11, 2019). "10 Best Country, Americana Songs to Hear Now". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
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