Balms share title track “Mirror”, announce US tour via Stereogum

Photo Credit : Naveed Ahmad

On their debut LP ‘Mirror’, Balms chose to submerge their airy, dream rock sound into the depths of the soul, embarking on an internal excavation of the darkest area that exists within us all – the Shadow Self.  Through years of sonic exploration, conjuring melodies from meditative, repetitive improvisation, the band manifests songs that break through the standard rock format and reach for a more profound level of musical communication.  The result is a journey of self-discovery – 11 songs that each offer a place of sanctuary and healing.

Recorded by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, King Woman, Bosse-De-Nage) to create the environment – the raw, live-to-tape experience of the music – and mixed with precision by Justin Gerrish (Brand New, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes), “Mirror” is a nightmarish yet cathartic space for the listener to confront and forgive their own darkness, and out of this experience, to grow.

About Balms

Ten years after they met in high school in the suburbs of San Jose, California, Jared, Michael, and John formed Balms in San Francisco in 2013.  At first playing loud pop-rock sets in John’s basement, as the band spent more and more time in San Francisco record stores and venues, their sound began to evolve — dreamy at first glance, but raw at the core of it.

Armed with the sound of fuzzed out guitars, melodic bass, clear above-ground vocals, and dynamic percussion, the band self-released their first series of singles. With glowing reviews and the support of the underground shoegaze community, the band spent the next year self-recording, mixing, and releasing their self-titled EP. The band went on to tour the west coast extensively, where they honed in on an energetic yet vulnerable live performance.

In the last few years as they wrestled with unfolding questions, the realities of their lives, and with each other, Balms went on to write what would become their debut LP, Mirror. An introspective record with a heavier, darker tone, the album narrates the confrontation of one’s shadow self. ‘Mirror’ is slated to release in February 2019, with a tour forthcoming.

TOUR DATES

01/29 – Sacramento, CA – The Blue Lamp
01/30 – Reno, NV – Holland Project
01/31 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill (Record Release Show)
02/01 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Crepe Place
02/02 – Long Beach, CA – 4th Street Vine
02/03 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex (Part Time Punks)
02/05 – Tijuana, MX – Moustache Bar
02/07 – Mexical, MX – Taberna Lebaron
02/08 – San Diego, CA – Che Cafe
02/10 – Tucson, AZ – Hotel Congress
02/12 – Austin, TX – Electric Church
02/13 – Denton, TX – Backyard On Bell
02/14 – Kansas City, MO – House Show
02/15 – Minneapolis, MN –  Mortimer’s
02/16 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
02/18 – Indianapolis, IN – Healers
02/19 – Detroit, MI – Outer Limits
02/20 – Columbus, OH – Fairy Garden
02/21 – Cleveland, OH – Blank Slate
02/22 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Black Forge
02/23 – Asbury Park, NJ – Ashbury Park Brewery
02/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Ortliebs
02/25 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge
02/26 – Boston, MA – Obrien’s
02/27 – Providence, RI – AS220
2/28 – New Haven, CT – NG2BC
03/01 – Brooklyn, NY – Alphaville
03/02 – Montclair, NJ – The Meat Locker
03/03 – Flemington, NJ – House Show
03/04 – Philadelphia, PA – The Pharmacy
03/05 – Baltimore, MD – CCArts
03/06 – Harrisonburg, VA – Golden Pony
3/07 – Richmond, VA – House Show
03/08 – Asheville, NC – Static Age Records
03/09 – Nashville, TN – Betty’s
03/10 – Chattanooga, TN – JJs Bohemia
03/11 – Atlanta, GA – The Bakery
03/12 – Birmingham, AL The Firehouse
03/13 – New Orleans, LA – Banks St Bar
03/14 – Houston, TX – Leon’s Lounge
03/15-03/16 – Austin, TX – SXSW
03/17 – Albuquerque, NM – House Show
03/18 – Denver, CO – SCMC
03/19 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Beehive
03/20-03/23 – Boise, ID – Treefort Festival