The eponymous EP from LA based alternative rock band Neon Hymns is a strong and confident debut from a band teeming with youthful aspiration. Unafraid to wear their hearts (and influences) on their sleeves, Neon Hymns play a personal brand of folk infused rock with a true sense of honesty and conviction often lacking among their modern rock peers.

At the soul of Neon Hymns music is a strong sense of mate ship thanks therein part to the bands small town Australian roots. More than just a band, the four members of Neon Hymns are somewhat of a brotherhood. Originally conceived in 2008, the group began as the culmination of three old friends coming together during downtime from touring and recording with their then current musical projects. Night after night, the trio of front man Josef Cruickshank, bassist Simon French and drummer Rob Ellmore, discovered an affinity for cheap whisky and Bob Dylan records played on wax. On one particularly cool winter evening after experimenting with some song ideas that had been casually thrown around, they collectively realized that what had happened was more than just a good notion or two. Fast forward to Fall 2009, now free of other commitments the boys made their way to the vibrant and artistic community LA’s Silverlake, a far cry from the idyllic seaside suburb they once resided in Sydney’s northern beaches.

Almost immediately after touching down in their new home, the band made a reconnection with child hood friend and guitarist James Bowen. Rounding out the group on lead guitar, James officially joined the group in early 2010. Finally adopting the moniker Neon Hymns later that year, the band was eager to cut their teeth and began to create buzz for them selves within LA’s always pulsing live music scene. This self created buzz eventually lead to a production deal with independent upstart, Layer Cake records. After a number of rousing performances across Southern California, the band entered the studio with production duo Daniel James and Leah Haywood (Sam Sparro, Melee) along with engineer extraordinaire Doug Bohem (Guided By Voices, The Vines) at the helms. What came about can be heard on the undeniably ambitious six-song self-titled EP released this past June. It showcases a band that can confidently showcase their influences but refusing to fall victim to the fodder of derivatives that so many of their peers do. Littering each of the six tracks are shades of Bowie, Dylan, Springsteen, the Replacements and War-era U2.

Although comparisons are welcome, make no mistake; Neon Hymns is a band poised to carve out their own place in todays sonic landscape. With a live show to match and at times surpasses their recorded output, Neon Hymns plays with all the youthful potential that separates the good from the great. Catch them Fridays in October as they play their first residency at the Hotel Café in the heart of Hollywood.