Taking inspiration from jagged post-punk and subversive performing arts, Los Angeles band French Vanilla brought energy and guile to their saxophone-heavy art punk. The band grew more into their sound through frequent touring, and explored deep themes both personal and political on their 2018 sophomore album How Am I Not Myself? French Vanilla were formed in the Los Angeles area in 2013 by singer Sally Spitz, guitarist/bassist Ali Day, drummer Greg Shilton, and bassist/saxophonist Daniel Trautfield. The band got their start playing at L.A.'s DIY show spaces, taking inspiration from legendary outsider punk acts like Essential Logic, the Waitresses, and Suburban Lawns for their sharp but danceable sound. The band released a self-titled album in 2017 on Danger Collective Records and toured constantly, playing shows with peers like Priests, Shopping, and Chastity Belt as well as opening slots for influential acts like ESG and the Make-Up. In 2019, they returned with their sophomore album, How Am I Not Myself?, again released on Danger Collective Records and produced by St. Vincent producer Sean Cook. The band continued to explore themes of gender, female empowerment, and societal turmoil in the album's high-energy grooves. ~ Fred Thomas, Rovi