El Lago

When you visit the Texas island town of Galveston, there’s a feeling of relief as you take in the sea spray in the air and the surf on the rocks. Rebirth and resurrection are in the atmosphere.

With debut album <a href="spotify:album:0zA8jQKyeFAZxv8OG5KFHA" data-name="Colors">Colors</a>, EL LAGO arrived fully formed in starry-eyed dream pop and unhurried washes of reverb, with the magic touch of producer Steve Christensen (of <a href="spotify:artist:2mVVjNmdjXZZDvhgQWiakk" data-name="Khruangbin">Khruangbin</a> fame).

After festival sets and tour dates in support of the album, the Texan four piece explores new visions on <a href="spotify:track:6K1os5Q5IkZnog0NM3Q0w5" data-name="Pyramid">Pyramid</a>, which takes their dream pop and shoegaze beginnings and blends in notes of post-punk and new wave. The EP takes bold steps in adding a darker element to their already pleasantly abstracted sound.


EL LAGO has shared the stage with artists including <a href="spotify:artist:5s8mrbpjYHWIuGYUzNTpEb" data-name="Laetitia Sadier">Laetitia Sadier</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:3Rj0tDHoX7C5NFq5DKIpHt" data-name="Stereolab">Stereolab</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:39vA9YljbnOApXKniLWBZv" data-name="Sylvan Esso">Sylvan Esso</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0VNWuGf8SMVU2AerpdhMbP" data-name="The Black Angels">The Black Angels</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0Cx9SrMKbfrkHvnqJLHq6b" data-name="Holy Wave">Holy Wave</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:27rWdoCAtvpwChpCDz9PK0" data-name="Blushing">Blushing</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:4kSGbjWGxTchKpIxXPJv0B" data-name="Crumb">Crumb</a>. The band followed the release of ‘Pyramid’ with a set at LEVITATION 2019, just before the pandemic cancelled tour plans.

Post-pandemic, the Galveston-based members are increasingly active in other bands. Lauren and Charlie launched goth pop/darkwave/shoegaze duo <a href="spotify:artist:59o8QlsBN8IdzKUyI7yutc" data-name="Raudiver">Raudiver</a>. After a brief stint in trio <a href="spotify:artist:1PDCneqf06xTD6KkjzgWi9" data-name="Texas Skeksis">Texas Skeksis</a>, the couple joined <a href="spotify:artist:4cowWSBMgoAFtcglKORnNA" data-name="Young Mammals">Young Mammals</a> on bass, additional vocals, and synth. Lead guitarist Jaron Hall is working on a new album with garage/psych four piece <a href="spotify:album:3jX2jfnXHD8OIqT22QSr4d" data-name="India Tigers in Texas">India Tigers in Texas</a>. Jaron, Lauren, and Charlie are also founding organizers of Galveston music festival Third Eyeland Party.