Los Angeles, CA — Delinquent virtuoso Dusty Durston has released his debut EP, Manchester Music, which features his anthemic love letter to LA, “Valley Girls (Balisongs),” the grimy focus track, “de Sade,” and “Joke Got Old,” Durston’s most dancey and contemplative track to date. Manchester Music is available to stream and download on all platforms.
Manchester Music pays tribute to the shared birthplace of a number of the project’s critical influences. And while the UK sound looms large, it’s Durston’s experiences while living in Los Angeles that ultimately shape the project, both musically and spiritually. His apartment in the Echo Park neighborhood acts as a dual recording studio and mini sanctuary to process his observations. It’s here, with a collection of cheap instruments and a punk rock recording ethos, Durston vowed to create something bigger than the sum of its parts. The result is five electric tracks that are equal parts summer sweetness and late-night swagger, pang and pleasure, “jasmine and piss.” “Sounds like a million bucks to me,” Durston says. “Don’t you agree?”
Durston’s unique brand of unapologetic alt-rock takes familiar influences from the ’90s, only to turn them on their head. Incorporating punches of 00’s emo and the irreverence of modern hip-hop, his music is playful, energetic, and deviant. So is he.
Despite a humble following typical of any artist’s early days, Durston’s bravado feels more seasoned. “I’m two Gallagher brothers for the price of one,” he laughs, at least half serious. While Durston consistently blurs the line between obnoxious braggadocio and winking in-joke, he does appear earnest in his desire to ruffle some feathers. “I am the solo act to put the garage band to bed.” Durston seems poised to carve out a corner for himself in both his adopted hometown of Los Angeles and beyond. And with a name like Dusty Durston, he may have never had a choice, anyway.
Manchester Music, the debut release from Dusty Durston is streaming and available for download now on all platforms. Keep up with Durston and all his releases by following him on Instagram (@dustydurston).
