A few years ago we were introduced to the wonderful music of Madrid DIY art-rock band Al Berkowitz. One of the things that struck us most about this Spanish band was their originality.
The gorgeously mellow and dreamy, “How Could We Get Ourselves Lost?” is truly intoxicating. It may not be everyone’s dig, but chances are if you like this band, you’ll probably grow to love them.
AB was founded in 2006 by composer, producer and vocalist Ignacio Simón who decided to join forces with his psych rock band The Inhabitants and American beatnik Aldous Berkowitz (for whom the band was named).
When Berkowitz suddenly left the band in 2007 for personal reasons, the remaining members decided to pay homage to him by re-naming the band after him – a rare and interesting twist, wouldn’t ya say?
Sometimes loyalty runs deep. Just like the band’s songs. Simon told IRC that Berkowitz was such a mentor to the band that it was just a natural decision for himself, drummer Lorenzo Palomares and bassist Santi Estrada.
The second track we’d like to highlight from the band’s debut is the wonderfully melodic and sweet, “Magical Cynical,” a track which seems to have one foot in the sounds of the grandparents’ heyday, and another foot in the parents’ time, with sweeping, piano-driven choruses.
Al Berkowitz has combined strikingly original music with euphoric live performances, quickly becoming recognized as one of the most captivating and experimental DIY genre-bending bands from Madrid.
They’ve opened for artists like Standstill, Marcus Doo & The Secret Family and Robert Wyatt, and count among their top influences Scott Walker, Grizzly Bear, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, and Talking Heads.