La Luz (band)

La Luz is an American rock band from Seattle, founded in 2012 by Shana Cleveland, Marian Li Pino, Abbey Blackwell and Katie Jacobson.

[5] Shana Cleveland formed the idea for La Luz after being inspired by surf and rock and roll acts like Link Wray, The Ventures, and Dick Dale, as well as girl groups like The Shirelles.

[6][7] Cleveland put together a band of fellow Seattle musicians (drummer Marian Li Pino, bassist Abbey Blackwell and keyboardist Katie Jacobson) and they immediately started rehearsing, recording and performing.

Shortly after the release of Damp Face Jacobson left the band and was replaced by keyboardist Alice Sandahl.

[14][15][16] Weirdo Shrine received positive reviews in The Guardian, Pitchfork,[17][18] and The New York Times, and the group embarked on an international tour to support its release.

[19][20] In February 2024, Alice Sandahl announced her departure from the band [21] and that she was being replaced by musician and producer Maryam Qudus, who has previously performed under the name Spacemoth.

These lineup changes (especially with Maryam Qudus) allowed the band to develop its music style, using electronic effects and arpeggiators in some songs.

A Shana Cleveland
La Luz performing in New Orleans