Stray Fossa
Who They Are
Stray Fossa, comprised of brothers Nick and Will Evans and longtime friend Zach Blount, is a trio based in Charlottesville, VA, who writes, records, and produces their own eclectic blend of dream pop and garage rock.
Why You Should Listen
Of the countless people I have recommended Stray Fossa to, without fail every single person has liked them. The glittering, misty guitar; dreamy vocals; raw, powerful basslines; and layered percussion is both instantly recognizable and instantly likable. From the upbeat and poppy "Commotion" (which is spectacular live, by the way) to the the more introspective and pensive "Bear the Waves" to the deeper and leaner "Eyze", Stray Fossa continues to impress with their unique, diverse, mature sound that demonstrates their musical chops while simultaneously maintaining the crucial, yet ever ignored, component of restraint. Perhaps most impressive about Stray Fossa is their superior production quality for an indie outfit: the tracks are self-produced by Will in the living room of their Charlottesville apartment, but they reach the caliber of industry gods like Danger Mouse or Rick Rubin.
What You Should Listen To
Everything. Stray Fossa's entire discography is less than an hour, and you won't regret taking the time to comb through all of it. Each song has its own niceties and contrasts, so every staffer who listens to them has their own personal favorite. Key standouts include the single "Commotion" and the Sleeper Strip EP.