Tearist is my favorite band. I have been sort of shouting their name off rooftops for the past two years, but anyone with a tasteful ear to the ground will already know what more and more people are beginning to realize, that Tearist is without question one of the best bands in the country right now. I was lucky enough to see their first show in 2008, which I think everyone who was there knew right away that they were witnessing something great.

It was at the Gold Room in Echo Park, where vocalist Yasmine Kittles was rolling around on the ground and dancing on the tables as a bewildered bar crowd just sat there and stared. I was blown away and we became friends right there on the spot. My inspirational love affair with Tearist led us to play countless shows together in living rooms and parking lots… It saw them sleeping on my couch when they were in Denver; dealing with the police at 5am; watching Ciara’s “Ride” music video together over and over again, or just banging on steel drums in abandoned warehouses channeling some real Einstürzende Neubauten vibes.

Since then, it seems that Tearist have been on everyone’s lips and ears and have become one of Los Angeles’ most beloved bands. They even graced the cover of the LA Weekly this past week. This is partly because Tearist are of LA’s best young bands and partly because they have a new record out called Living: 2009 – Present. The album compiles 9 of their best tracks recorded live over the past two years at various locations around Los Angeles. If you have never seen Tearist live, (which you should, because they are renowned for their legendary performances) this album will give you the next best thing. A big helping of their their raw and powerful performance energy into songs you can listen to at home or your favorite abandoned warehouse.

Living: 2009 – Present is released on a limited edition vinyl and as a digital download by Thin Wrist Recordings, and can be purchased here. This record is the sound of a new frontier in underground synth music and performance art, and carries my highest recommendation. In case I need to convince you further, check out the two amazing and heart wrenching videos of Tearist performing on LA’s KXLU 88.9FM in this post. Both songs are on Living.

In case you’re wondering (which you probably are) where these photos of Yasmine and William are from, well let me tell you. These are a few outtakes from the Мишка’s Summer 2011 lookbook by Caesar Sebastian. It was shot in California recently and features Tearist, HEALTH, Wavves and myself amongst many more. Look for it in the next few weeks.

- Pictureplane