Everyday Animals

L.A.'s Everyday Animals offer a glimpse into a brave new world: the juncture where prog, pop, and funk meet to create a new beast. While prog carries numerous pejorative connotations (wizardry, nerdy white men playing air guitar), Everyday Animals have chosen to take the experimental side of prog, and balance it with diverse, classic soul influences (Stevie Wonder, The Meters). Originally hailing from Athens, Ohio, the band honed their chops in open jams and bar gigs, experimenting with tight improvisations and a regularly rotating set list. After developing a fevered and loyal Athens following, the band decided it was time to expand, and they settled in Los Angeles as a unit in 2008. Like many bands that dabble in multiple genres, Everyday Animals have an undeniably unique sound, but the band has struggled to find their niche in L.A. “A lot of people consider ‘jamming’ to be self indulgent, but the reason why we improvise on stage is because in those moments, we are giving the audience a personalized performance that no one will ever experience again in quite the same way, so it makes the show more intimate,” explains lead singer/songwriter Kevin Shima. “But I should make it clear that although we present our shows in the jam-band format (improvisation, segues, different set lists night to night), the primary emphasis is still on great songwriting.” Everyday Animals' latest LP Under the Tyranny of Good Weather finds the band marrying diverse influences and incredible musicianship into their most cohesive collection to date: a sprawling, funky excursion into the mind of Kevin Shima. "I write the songs, but we arrange them together as a group," explains Shima. "I am the one leading the charge, but the guys in the band are the ones who bring the songs to life, and their personal playing styles largely define our sound.” Rounded out by Adam Darlin (drums), Will Schulz (bass, vocals), Brian Hobart (keys, vocals), Everyday Animals also features one very special guest on Under the Tyranny of Good Weather, Mr. Jon Anderson of Yes. "I began collaborating with Jon in 2009," says Shima. "I worked on his album Survival and Other Stories and his orchestral piece Open in 2011, and he sang on our song “False Awakening” from the new album." Adds Shima, "Yes is a huge influence on our work ethic and our way of piecing the songs together." Everyday Animals are here as an antidote to safe, generic synth pop. The final irony being: they are not at all your Everyday Animal. NEW ALBUM NOW AVAILABLE on iTunes!