Emerging from Southeast Los Angeles, The Altons have become a key fixture in the vibrant West Coast ‘souldies‘ scene and they’ve just released their upcoming album’s opener, “Waiting.” They also announced the February 14, 2025 release of Heartache in Room 14, their debut LP via Daptone Records.
“Waiting,” showcases The Altons’ lyrical vulnerability and tells a poignant story of longing and love against a backdrop of a haunting organ and creeping rhythm.
Central to The Altons’ sound is the deeply harmonious interplay between the vocals of front-persons Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce, which imbues their music with an intimate and sincere quality. Heartache in Room 14 is a duet album inspired by the Motown and Stax eras with a cultural lens of a group born and raised in Los Angeles. Supported by the solid rhythm foundation laid by Caitlin Moss on drums and Chris “Bolillo” Manjarrez on bass, the band has crafted a sound that resonates with both nostalgia and freshness.
Heartache in Room 14 is produced by Daptone Records’ renowned Bosco Mann, signifying a pivotal evolution in their artistry. Describing the new creative process, Ponce notes, “This whole album was a new experience for us, from the way we approach songwriting to how we recorded the music.” Flores adds, “Working at Penrose with Gabe was a turning point for us. Our songwriting process was meticulously broken down and rebuilt, focusing intensely on lyrics, melody, and arrangement.”
As pioneering members of Daptone Records’ Penrose imprint, The Altons quickly progressed from captivating local nightclubs to lighting up stages at major festivals such as Austin City Limits, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Corona Capital, selling thousands of records along the way.
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