Born Akira Galaxy Ament, the Seattle-born, Los Angeles-based 20-something singer/songwriter and musician Akira Galaxy grew up steeped in eclectic music by her music-loving family for as long as she could remember. Ament cut her teeth as a musician fronting several high school bands in her hometown — before stepping out into the spotlight as a solo artist.
The Seattle-born artist’s five-song Chris Coady and Sam Westhoff co-produced debut EP What’s Inside You was released earlier this year through Bright Antenna Records. The EP sees the rising artist effortlessly blending rock ‘n’ roll edge with synth textures that channel 80s dream pop while also drawing from the magic and beauty of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, where Ament often retreats to write. “I moved to LA as a teen to start my endeavor as a musician, but it wasn’t until I hit the pause button and went back to Seattle at 20 that I discovered my musical and lyrical voice,” the rising artist says. “I remember intending to go back for 2 weeks and ending up staying for 7 months. I like to think it was a perfect combination of things—the guitar, my childhood bedroom, and the state of the world. A fire was ignited beneath me, birthing the first song off of the EP, What’s Inside You.
The EP’s material delves into and touches upon themes of love, yearning and disappointment, resulting in a vulnerable yet self-assured debut effort. EP single and closing track “Silver Shoes” is a dreamy and atmospheric Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac-meets-Beach House-like track centered around glistening synth arpeggios, strummed reverb-soaked guitar and steady backbeat serving as lush bed for the Seattle-born artist’s yearning delivery. Throughout the song, its narrator yearns for and attempts to resuscitate a love that has long since died; so at its core, the song is tied into the sort of foolish, desperate and obsessively nostalgic hope of the lovelorn.
Directed by David Black, the accompanying video is a glittering dream that features the rising singer/songwriter and musician in a glittery jumpsuit and glittery faceprint and shot through kaleidoscopic filters and bright lights.
After playing a successful run of shows at this year’s SXSW, Ament will embarking on a handful of tour dates that includes a 12-date run opening Winnetka Bowling League. That run of dates includes a July 23, 2024 stop at Bowery Ballroom. Check out the rest of the tour dates below.
TOUR DATES:
* = with Winnetka Bowling League
05.11 – San Diego, CA – Wonderfront Music Festival
05.23 – Napa, CA – Jam Cellars Ballroom (with Miike Snow)
05.24 – Napa, CA – Bottlerock Festival
07.11 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater*
07.12 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall*
07.13 – Columbus, OH – A&R*
07.15 – Nashville, TN – Exit / In*
07.16 – Atlanta, GA – Altar*
07.17 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle*
07.19 – Seattle, WA – Capital Hill Block Party
07.21 – Cambridge, MA – Sonia*
07.23 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom*
