Best Coast, a great name for band that lives its sound. Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Bethany Cosentino and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno from Los Angeles are the duo and creative force behind the group.
Aug. 27 | 8 p.m.
$17 advance | $20 at the door
Cargo | Reno, Nev.
Cosentino describes Best Coast’s sound as pop rock with alternative 90s and 60s California sound. The Beach Boys, Beatles, classic 60’s pop girl groups are a handful of influential groups that resonate with the band, as well as Lush, Letters to Cleo and Belly.
“Music is so simple and true, it’s autobiographical. Sometimes I pick up my guitar and mess around,a melody will pop into my head.”- Bethany Cosentino
Cosentino is not the kind of writer who sits down and writes for two hours a day.
“I don’t say, today I’m going to write a song. I need to be inspired. I don’t sit down until I am feeling inspired or creative. I think you can tell when something is contrived,” she explains about her process of songwriting. It’s best for her when writing feels effortless and comes naturally, she says.
“Music is so simple and true, it’s autobiographical. Sometimes I pick up my guitar and mess around, a melody will pop into my head,” she adds.
Cosentino has learned a lot from being on tour for the last nine years. She and the nine members of the band travel by bus. She is the only female.
“Being on the road forces you to mature quickly,” she says. “Being on stage is an incredible high. There’s so much adrenaline and having to navigate all the highs and lows, it’s really hard to find a balance, especially when coming off the road and settling back into a normal life. The transition takes time,” she explains.
In order to come down from touring and life on the road, Cosentino, who admits she can be highly anxious, uses exercise. She takes Pilates and Bar Method classes and loves to hike. Being in nature is where she finds solace, grounding and centering. Living in Los Angeles, she can find a place to be in nature and hike in 20 minutes.
The band’s third album, “California Nights,” features a number of love songs detailing the highs and lows of relationships and life in general. Listening to the album, the band’s sound is upbeat and their music catchy, yet the messages of depth exist.
Cosentino made a guest appearance on the “Daily Show” where she and host Noah Trevor discussed sexism in the music industry and sexual harassment and assault of women. She was outspoken when a female peer in the industry called out a music publicist for sexual harassment. Abuse of women in any form is something that matters deeply to Cosentino.
Currently on tour with the Go-Go’s for their farewell tour, Cosentino said it’s been her favorite tour to date.
“They’ve had a huge influence on Best Coast. The longevity of the band, their string of hits and the atmosphere being around them has been an inspiration. I am inspired by their energy,” she says.
The group is looking forward to performing in Reno, she says.
“It will be fresh and new. Definitely come out and see some authentic Best Coast,” says Cosentino.
For more information, visit cargoreno.com.
