News

Roscoe is a road dog. The 14-year-old Boston Terrier has been there for the whole ride of Mapache, Clay Finch and Sam Blasucci’s band, which has grown from being the casual project of two longtime buds to one of the most formidable cosmic-folk acts around. “Roscoe’s been through a lot of shit,” says Blasucci, the dog’s formal owner. “He’s been all around the country, come on tour a little bit.” With some bemused pride, Finch points out that, for a few years, he and Blasucci bunked together in a room in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles that was just big enough to fit two twin beds. “It was the two of us and the dog,” he laughs.

Mapache — the “quintessentially laid-back” (UNCUT) Los Angeles-based duo of Sam Blasucci and Clay Finch whose “angelic harmonies weave between traditional folk and modern cosmic country music” (FLOOD) — release their new covers project 3 via Innovative Leisure. A tenderly crafted tribute to beloved music from past legends and admired contemporaries, 3 is a showcase for the seemingly effortless, unmistakably Californian musicality that has quickly become Mapache’s signature. 

Created in the midst of the pandemic shutdown that interrupted the touring of their 2020 album From Liberty Street, 3 emerged after Sam and Clay hunkered down with their close friend and record producer Dan Horne (Beachwood Sparks, Cass McCombs, Allah-Las) and began to work on vulnerable reinterpretations on some of their favorite songs. There are tributes to acknowledged classics — including a sun-dappled and swaying take on Stevie Wonder’s “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and a romantically unhurried version of Sade’s “All About Our Love”  — as well as inventive spins on songs by Allah-Las and Aussie psych-rockers Babe Rainbow. 

The performances on 3 embody exactly what makes Mapache’s music so intoxicating: close harmonies, masterful musicianship, and a unique ability to tap into the innate vibrations of a song and tease out its moments of wonder. It’s a welcoming record that posits deep, thoughtful listening as the greatest means of escape.

Listen to 3 here: https://smarturl.it/mapache3 

Mapache — the Los Angeles-based duo of Sam Blasucci and Clay Finch who deliver “a groove so strong you can basically hear the sunshine” (NPR Music) - share their vibey instrumental version of Stevie Wonder’s classic “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.” The track comes from their new covers EP 3, out next Friday on November 19 via Innovative Leisure. Mapache’s version of the Stevie standard radiates a hazy warmth, showcasing the duo’s intricate acoustic pickings atop a warped surf organ and a beachy percussive pulse.

“If the Everly Brothers cruised back from a high desert road trip and landed at County Line beach and cracked a beer to watch the sunset – you’d have these guys...Mapache’s chemistry is undeniable and their creative circle seems to be flourishing.” — KCRW

“Quintessentially laid-back. This is Sunday morning music, best experienced within walking distance of Big Sur or Joshua Tree.” — UNCUT

“Medicine for the soul.” — Shindig

“Angelic harmonies weaving somewhere between traditional folk and modern cosmic country music. These songs are inspired by everything from Mexican boleros, to Bakersfield twang, to lonesome cowboy campfire tunes.” — FLOOD

Back in 2019, we were on tour with Mapache in Europe, and they would occasionally ask us to put "Worship the Sun" in our set.  After a show in Barcelona, where we didn't play the song, they decided to serenade us backstage playing a grungy Eddie Veder-esq take on the tune.  As they were playing, we started to see lightning thru the sky light in the green room.  Shortly after, we tried to leave the Apollo theatre and realized we were in the middle of a monsoon.  The venue had locked concert goers inside as the street turned into a river.  Dumpsters started to float down the street as the water brimmed over the hoods of cars.  It only lasted for about 45 minutes, but it was one of the most intense weather experiences any of us had ever seen.  The next day we worshipped the sun. - The Allah-Las

Mapache's cover of the Allah-Las "Worship The Sun" is available on all DSP platforms: https://smarturl.it/mapacheworshipthesun

In our latest collaboration with Calico Discos (a label imprint by Allah-Las), we are pleased to announce an album of cover songs by the band Mapache entitled 3.  "All About Our Love" - - Sade's timeless classic is the lead single from the forthcoming project and is out now across DSP's. 

More info about the covers project:

Shortly after having their North American tour canceled due to Covid in March 2020, Sam, Clay & their close friend and producer Dan Horne decided to hunker down and use the time to work on an album of covers.  Ranging from songs by close friends like Allah Las & Little Wings, to classics by Stevie Wonder & the Beach Boys, what resulted is an effortless & touching take on songs you may or may not be familiar with.  Other artists include: Sade, Babe Rainbow, Peter Rowan, The Louvin Brothers