Pearl Earl’s New Album: Embracing the Dark and the Divine in ‘It’s Dread

Pearl Earl is the neo-psychedelic rock project of multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Ariel Hartley formed in Denton, TX in 2014. Originally debuting as a three piece, the band now consists of a rotating cast of original and touring members including Bailey K Chapman, Stefanie Lazcano, Chelsey Danielle, Teddy Georgia Waggy and Leeza V. The band has been in constant evolution and shape-shifting since its birth as a bedroom project on Hartley’s laptop in her early college years. With heavy nods to spacey prog and golden era glam rock, Pearl Earl invokes the cosmic nostalgia of the past while carving new territory of its own psychedelic universe. Once described as “Pink Floyd in the sunlight” the band’s live performances are captivating and euphoric with an ominous grin.

The band has done several U.S tours across the U.S. and has shared bills with bands such as Death Valley, Girls, Oh Sees, Post Animal, The Black Angels, Acid Dad, Frankie and The Witch Fingers, Black Lips and have played major festivals such as Levitation and SXSW. 

Now primarily based in Los Angeles and north Texas, Pearl Earl has released their sophomore record titled “It’s Dread” via Green Witch Recordings in NYC. The album was recorded in Los Angeles by Tomas Dolas (Mr. Elevator, Oh Sees) at Studio 22 and explores a darker theme of existential crisis in an apocalyptic world. The first album single, ‘Evil Does it’ is “a squealing symphony of woozy synths and reverberating rhythms, fans of the likes of Pond and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are in for a treat. A laid back, drunkenly rhythmic, swinging pace shows that this isn’t a track that takes itself too seriously, and Pearl Earl doesn’t shy away from bringing in any sound they see fit and weaving it into melody.”- Antonia Sulley, Earmilk. The band is set to embark on several tours in support of the new album this year, including the band’s first ever European tour. 

“Pearl Earl are like if Pentangle were a villainous cartoon rock band in an old episode of Josie & the Pussycats. The songs on their debut are cartoon-colored and full of knotty guitar work, weird, witchy vocals and sharp melodic left-turns. Just when you think you’ve got them pinned down, they change shape.” – J. Edward Keyes, Bandcamp Daily.

SUMMER TOUR 
6/29 OKC Resonant Head
6/30 TULSA Thelma’s Peach
7/1 LAWRENCE Replay Lounge
7/2 OMAHA The Sydney
7/3 DAVENPORT Racoon Motel
7/5 MINNEAPOLIS Green Room
7/6 CHICAGO Golden Dagger
7/7 MILWAUKEE Promises
7/8 CINCINNATI Motr Pub
7/9 INDIANAPOLIS Melody Inn
7/10 DETROIT Outer Limits
7/12 D.C. The Runaway
7/13 BROOKLYN Alphaville
7/14 NYC Home Sweet Home
7/15 PHILADELPHIA The Century
7/16 BOSTON The Jungle
7/17 SARATOGA SPRINGS Desperate Annie’s
7/20 BIRMINGHAM Saturn
7/21 CHATTANOOGA JJ’s Bohemia
7/22 NASHVILLE East Room
7/23 MEMPHIS Lamplighter
7/24 LITTLE ROCK White Water Tavern
7/28 DENTON Harvest House
7/29 AUSTIN 13th Floor

You can connect with Pearl Earl on website pearlearl.com, Instagram @pearlearlmusic and Twitter @PearlEarlMusic