Cougar

SynthWave based in Los Angeles...

Well-crafted, lyrically bold songs separate COUGAR from other neu electro bands. Lyricists Leo Torres and Adam Kuryliw weave mood-driven, shadowy vocals through the pulsating electronic labyrinths arranged primarily by J. Daniel Mata. The trio consciously scripts their music to be compositionally akin to radio rock but infused with the sensibilities of underground electronica. They are the evolution of music, the logical product of new wave and electro-pop, infectiously danceable and intelligent. Fans have followed COUGAR since their first show at the last night of Disco-Wreck to recent performances at Los Angeles standards like Spaceland, The Echo, Jason Lavitts Club Synthetic, and The Parlour. COUGARs following is increasing rapidly as more club goers discover that electronic shows can be energetic and incorporate live instrumentation, as opposed to heavily sequenced dance beats or performers who stare at their shoes, hell-bent on showing how little fun they are having. These days were just as likely to play along side guitar-driven bands as electronic bands, says lead singer and keyboardist Leo Torres. We are filling a niche thats been left empty. Generally people like electronic music but associate it with the sort of mindlessness they get when theyre partying. The past incarnations of electronic music have lacked sophistication and ignored what I think is paramount to the early successes of bands like Depeche Mode and Devo. Simply put, we all grow up on pop so we are used to a certain length and methodology when we listen to music; why has electronic music abandoned that? Leo and Adam Kuryliw, friends from Fullerton College, originally formed COUGAR as a duo. Working from their experiences in various bands (RADIO, GUYVER GROOVES), the two wrote songs and performed live throughout the underground electro scene of the early 00s. Daniel, a classically trained musician with performance experience with GITANE DE MONE, the LAUGHING DEAD, and other avant-garde bands, joined soon after. The chemistry was perfect and the three have since evolved into a prolific song-writing team, even writing for other bands on the side. I had seen Leo and Adam perform a few times and I thought their music was catchy, more pop-influenced than any other bands out there. I finally met Leo at a Subway after an ADULT. performance and pretty soon we were working on songs, says synth player Daniel Mata. He was in the front row, staring at us maniacally, adds Leo. Were a perfect fit, says keyboardist and vocalist Adam Kuryliw. Were all sort of misfits looking to express ourselves in music, which I know is nothing new, but were talking about a make-up artist [Adam], a cardboard box factory worker [Leo], and a disgraced pet shop employee [Daniel]. Of course our music is awesome. The self-titled demo, co-produced by COUGAR and Dain Luscombe, features three songs characteristic of the bands catalogue. Intertwined with the bright, musically optimistic Too Much is Leos rant at a self-possessed downer, the chorus ending with the heavy-handed insult: did you really think Id care how you feel? Not enough make-up to try and fix you up. The moodier Weekend Obsession combines futuristic samples with Adams stylistic recanting of a dire outing. Lastly, the fast-paced Fashion Forward, Leos mockery of those reliant on an outfit for self-esteem, demonstrates COUGARs ability to add edge to retro-electro. COUGAR is leading the way in neu electro. No band in Los Angeles, the states or Europe is combining the elements of different genres so well. The evolution begins now. - Ivan Sokolov -

Yeah, we've played @ Lather,Discowreck,Synthetic,MRX,L-Train, Par-Avion, Transmission,Collission, Spaceland,Trash, Hang the DJs, The Smell, RubyTuesdays, The Knitting Factory, etc...

We would have to say Visage,The Smiths,Japan, Vodka, OMD, John Foxx,Roxy Music, Ultravox, Silicone Teens, Fad Gadget, Christian Death, OMD, Yazoo, Soft Cell, Clan of Xymox, Giorgio Moroder, The Normal, Roxy Music,Bowie,Danse Society, Heaven 17 blah,blah,blah!

We tend to use a Roland Juno 60, Oberheim DX , Yamaha AN1X , Korg Poly6, Korg MS2000, Yamaha CS-01, Casio CZ 101, Korg MS 20, Korg Prophecy, & FL Studio.

Group Members: Adam_Kuryliw J.Daniel_Mata Leo_Torres Finally we would like to thank everyone for constant support at our shows. If you want to book Cougar or have any questions just click on contact.