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Chicago quartet California Wives were formed in 2009 by multi-instrumentalists Dan Zima and Hans Michel along with drummer Joe O'Connor. These three musicians were quickly rounded out by Jayson Kramer, another multi-instrumentalist, with a focus on guitar and keyboards. The band developed a sound based on a strong '80s new wave and pop influence, blending the dancey bounce of <a href="spotify:artist:5a2EaR3hamoenG9rDuVn8j">Prince</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5NGO30tJxFlKixkPSgXcFE">the Police</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:6kz53iCdBSqhQCZ21CoLcc">Culture Club</a> with more electronic synth pop nods toward <a href="spotify:artist:0yNLKJebCb8Aueb54LYya3">New Order</a> or <a href="spotify:artist:1aX2dmV8XoHYCOQRxjPESG">Human League</a>. Early in its existence, the band set about recording its debut EP, No. 8, settling on the solid instrumentation of Kramer on lead vocals, keyboard, and guitar; Zima on bass; O'Connor on drums; and Michel on lead guitar. The group played often and regularly released new tracks online. A second EP, Affair, followed, and in 2012 Michel was replaced by Graham Masell on lead guitar. Later that year, California Wives signed a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Vagrant+Records%22">Vagrant Records</a> and began working with producer Claudius Mittendorfer on their debut album, Art History. ~ Fred Thomas, Rovi
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