BUZZ BANDS

Proof that subtlety still exists

Subtlety is not dead; it merely feels that way if you listen to too much radio. Bands such as the Long Beach-based quintet Fielding stoke the fires, making nuanced rock with melodic guilelessness and winsome sophistication. Think Travis at the British band’s lushest, or the Get Up Kids, if the Midwesterners got out more.

“From classic rock to punk to folk to Britpop ... we’ve heard from many people that we’ve definitely filled up the map,” guitarist Kevin Pousch says. Amazingly, the band’s self-titled debut album was largely an at-home project, with help from friend Luis Garcia. Says bassist Aaron Bradford: “A laptop, a bedroom -- I guess we were even in a garage a couple days.”

Even Fielding’s more introspective songs pack a little more punch live, thanks to drummer Adam Ferry and the dynamics of husband-and-wife team Eric and Beth Balmer. Eric’s vaguely bristly vocals are out front; Beth provides backing vocals in addition to playing keyboards and violin.

The band, which performs Friday at the Derby and the next two Tuesdays at the Key Club’s free all-ages shows, is preparing to record an EP’s worth of material with producer Chris Fudurich (Nada Surf). Says Bradford: “I think there’ll be more continuity to the newer stuff.”

Fast forward

Want something more intimate than fighting the Sunset Junction crowds on Saturday night? The Hotel Cafe has a tasty lineup (Nina Gordon, Tom Morello and Kid Lightning, with some special guests), with the $5 cover benefiting the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund.... Add Hotel Cafe: Grammy-winning Jesse Harris, who wrote the Norah Jones hit “Don’t Know Why,” performs songs from his release “While the Music Lasts” on Sunday night, with Van Dyke Parks sitting in.... The L.A. quartet Star No Star celebrates the release of its debut album of that name with a show Tuesday at the Knitting Factory. Think churning dream-rock, ‘80s style.... Three unsigned local acts -- the Lift, Fader and Hypnogaja -- have a playoff Tuesday at the Whisky in front of celebrity judges. At stake: a Gibson Guitars endorsement deal. Shinedown will headline the show.... Sunset Junction attendees should be on the lookout for Tommy Dietrick and crew. Dietrick, of the up-and-coming L.A. quartet Sky Parade, is the man behind “Intravenous Records Volume 1,” a 14-song sampler featuring tracks by Electromagnetic, Helen Stellar, the Silversun Pickups, the Moon Upstairs and Kristin King, among others. He’ll be passing them out, free.

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