“Little Stories” – an interview with Power Pink & Sweet
Los Angeles-based dream-pop band Powder Pink & Sweet have just released their beautiful debut album “Little Stories”. Originally formed in 2016 by Cris Verso, the seven tracks showcase her long-time love for ‘80s post-punk and new wave. The record opens with the light and playful whimsy of the re-mastered debut single “Blue Sunshine” through to the atmospheric and ominous-sounding “Secret Garden. If you’re a fan of bands like Lush and Slowdive, you’ll want to check this out.
We chatted with Cris about the album and how the band developed their sound.
Hi Cris! How’s everything going right now?
Hi! Things are going great!
What classic album cover is your current mood?
Since it is Halloween, the Disney Haunted Mansion album cover represents my current mood!
Friday 4th Nov sees the release of your debut album “Little Stories” and it’s a beautiful, dreamy record. Can you tell us a bit about when it was written and recorded?
Thank you! The songs were written over the past six years and recorded along the way in that time. Most were recorded in 2020 and 2021 then mixed in 2021 and 2022.
The album takes me back to the late 80’s/early 90’s and bands like Lush and Slowdive. Did you grow up listening to those bands?
Not really. I did listen a bit to Lush, Ride, JAMC and MBV because they were on the radio here in LA in the late 80s and early/mid 90s. I listen to all different types of music, but in the late 80s and early 90s I was more into the post-punk and goth bands, but also ska, punk, and grunge. I didn’t listen to Slowdive until about 2011/12 and then fell in love with their sound!
If you could only listen to one record, what would it be?
There is no way I can only listen to only one! I like too many bands! I can tell you what I am listening to a lot right now though- Radiohead (OK Computer, In Rainbows, King of Limbs and A Moon Shaped Pool) , The Beatles (Revolver and later) Miles Davis (his 50s stuff) and tiki exotica.
How did the band get together and how did you decide on the band name?
Well, it started as a solo project and I put together a band because I wanted to play live and l like playing with other people. The name comes from a line in The Cure’s song, The Caterpillar.
It’s been 6 years since you released your debut single “Blue Sunshine”. How has the band developed and changed over the years?
It started out with just me writing and recording songs casually, and then I gathered a couple friends to help and we found a guitarist that we liked. We are now a bit more official, organized and experienced.
You’ve been playing some shows in LA over the last few months. Will you be touring the record around the rest of the US?
We don’t yet have plans to tour, but we are open to doing some in the future.
What would go on your signature pizza and what would it be called?
I like margherita pizza or just plain cheese pizza!
What do you have planned for 2023?
We plan to continue to promote the new album, and then write, develop and record new songs, and play more shows! Thank you Paul!
Conjuring nostalgic dream-pop, Powder Pink & Sweet is a band based in Los Angeles. Cris Verso formed the project in 2016, releasing the debut single “Blue Sunshine” the following year. Showing serene vocals and hypnotic guitar tones, “Blue Sunshine” set in motion a sound steeped in lush nostalgia, exploring aspects of dream-pop, shoegaze, post-punk, and new wave. The track saw airplay on radio shows like Check One Two on KLOS in Los Angeles, in addition to online radio such as DKFM and Big Sonic Heaven. Powder Pink & Sweet’s single, “Grey Day,” released in October 2020, beautifully blends textural guitars emitting a post-punk and shoegaze-friendly allure. Obscure Sound called “Grey Day” an “enjoyable success with a dreamy sense of nostalgia.
You can find out more about the band on their website and follow them for the latest news on Instagram and Twitter.
Photo Credit – Piper Ferguson
