You throw in Elizabeth Berg from The Like, add Alex Greenwald from Phantom Planet, sprinkle James Valentine from Maroon 5, mix Jason Boesel from Rilo Kiley and include Michael Runion’s solo work as the cherry on top, and what do you get? JJAMZ. Pronounced Jah-Jamz, yes, as if you’re stuttering, the band is the newest indie-pop outfit hailing from Los Angeles, California. JJAMZ is the result of a friendship and musical collaboration that has lasted for years. On July 10, the band released their debut LP, Suicide Pact, via Dangerbird.
Today, I present to all you EARMILK readers “Heartbeat,” a cut from the band’s newest album. "Heartbeat" opens with bumping electronic bass and pulsing guitars layered over one another to create an atmosphere that gets heads bumping and toes tapping. Berg’s familiar high-voice pierces the musical veil with her opening line, “Who am I to say I want you back? When you were never mine to give away.” The song continues with Berg wanting to rekindle a love that was once lost but is fighting the urge to fall into temptation to take her lover back. Despite the fact that we have already made it through the halfway mark of summer, “Heartbeat” is still in contention to be squeezed into your list of summer anthems.
Listen to “Heartbeat” and watch the music video, which features Berg as a high school teenager in a horror flick, after the jump. Also, JJAMZ is currently on tour. Check out the list of dates below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0okSCBqw18[/youtube]
JJAMZ's Upcoming Shows
7/17 — Dallas, Texas @ House of Blues
7/18 — Austin, Texas @ La Zona Rosa
7/21 — Billings, Mont. @ Babcock Theater
7/23 — Calgary, Alberta @ The Den
7/24 — Edmonton, Alberta @ The Starlite Room
7/26 — Vancouver, British Columbia @ Commodore Ballroom
7/28 — Philadephia, Penn. @ The Piazza (Radio 104.5’s Summer Black Party)
7/29 — San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
7/30 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wildern
7/31 — San Diego, Calif. @ House of Blues
8/3 — Kansas City, Mo. @ KC Live!
8/4 — Omaha, Neb. @ The Waiting Room
8/5 — Denver, Colo. @ Larimer Lounge
8/6 — Las Vegas, Nev. @ Hard Rock Cade on the Strip
9/5 — Portland, Ore. @ Mississippi Studios
9/7 — Seattle, Wash. @ Tractor Tavern
9/9 — Boise, Idaho @ The Venue
9/11 — Salt Lake City, Utah @ Urban Lounge
9/13 — Las Vegas, Nev. @ Beauty Bar
9/15 — San Pedro, Calif. @ Ports O’ Call Village (Lobster Fest)
Check out JJAMZ elsewhere:
