lastself

Is it fair to call a band full of locally established musicians a supergroup? I can understand if someone might think that label is a bit preposterous, but in this particular case it makes a bit of sense. Consisting of drummer Daniel Guedes from the punk rock act Ask The Dead, bassist Gary Harrison from the dance-funk band Nights Without Television, keyboardist Piera Leone from the indie rock trio Tiny Diamond and her husband Mike, who played with the jam band Glass Machines, on guitar, Lastself forges a new artistic path for each member. Anyone who is nostalgic about the alternative music scene during the 2000s is bound to enjoy what this Providence based band has going on. In fact, people can experience this while tuning into their self-titled EP that’s being premiered here today (December 1).
Lastself started out when Mike began writing songs for a project, which was unnamed at the time, back in 2021. As the material started coming together, he started reaching out to some friends and the band eventually became a reality.
“I wanted to go for a layered, complex sound that was clean and heavy at the same time,” he says about how the creative nucleus for Lastself came to be. “I then called Gary [Harrison] and Dan [Guedes] and pitched the project to them. The three of us rehearsed a few times and developed the core band sound with a sort of heavy-but-sparkly, punchy-but-sad vibe. I wanted to add a bit more layering, so I asked my wife Piera to join and provide vocal harmonies and synths. I wrote and arranged songs for this basic setup featuring guitar, bass, drums, synth, and two vocals and took it from there.”
This process led to the creation of the EP, which was done at Big Nice Studios in Lincoln with Emma Newton jumping on as the producer while Bradford Krieger handled the mastering. The recording sessions were a unique experience for the band, but it was an enjoyable one as well.
“Emma and Bradford were great partners, and we were able to get a lot done in a relatively short amount of time,” Mike describes the making of the EP. “This was also the first studio recording I’d done with no ‘real’ guitar amps. I played everything through digital amp modelers and recorded directly into the recording interface. This saved a lot of time and got us a cleaner, bigger guitar sound.”
I could go in-depth and provide my analysis for the three tracks off of the new release, but in truth I think they’re all fantastic. The best way to realize this is by plugging in and pressing play. Feel free to do so at the link below while enjoying a new spin on a modern musical style. - Rob Duguay

Lastself is a four-piece indie band hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. The quartet of Mike Leone, Piera Leone, Dan Guedes, and Gary Harrison have been making waves in the music scene with their unique brand of rock. Bringing a fresh energy and a sound that is distinctly their own, lastself is taking listeners on a journey with their music.
Mike Leone founded the band, writes all the songs, plays the guitar, and has been instrumental in defining the band's sound. Mike is from Massachusetts but has been living in Rhode Island for 16 years. Piera Leone grew up in New York but now resides in Rhode Island. She enriches the band's sound with her keyboards and harmonies. Dan Guedes, originally from Connecticut, has also been living in Rhode Island for 16 years. He plays the drums for lastself.
Lastly, Gary Harrison, who plays bass, was born and raised in Rhode Island and now lives in Providence.
The band started about 1 ½ years ago when Mike wrote songs for a new project with Gary. They found Dan to play drums and brought on Piera to add layers of vocals and keyboard to the sound.
lastself's music is inspired by alternative rock bands across the decades, ranging from newer bands (like Dive and Pale Blue Eyes) to classic ones like The Smiths. Other artists who have influenced their sound include Tame Impala and Beach House.
lastself released their self-titled three-song EP in 2023, after recording it at Big Nice Studios in Lincoln Rhode Island in just one day, with a few additional days spent mixing/mastering it with an engineer/producer team. Their sound is described as emotive, polished, and infectious, with haunting harmonies and catchy guitar riffs.
The band's EP features the songs "Past Lives",
"One in Two", and "See You Again" that showcases their captivating sound. It opens with a groovy bass riff that sets the tone for the whole song. When the guitar and keys come in, they create a unique blend that complements like's vocals perfectly. Piera's harmonies in the chorus add depth to the song.
their diverse origins and
inspirations to their emotive sound, this band is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together. If you're a fan of alternative rock and soulful harmonies, you should definitely give lastself a listen.
lastself is a band that has managed to carve out a unique sound for themselves, and they are not shy about experimenting with it.
Their live shows are a testament to their passion and dedication to their craft. With their infectious energy and soulful sound, lastself is a band that is not to be
missed.
They have a series of upcoming gigs. On January 12th, they will be performing at the Revival Brewing Company, followed by a concert at In Your Ear on February 24th. And if you miss those, don't worry - they'll also be taking the stage at Myrtle on March 16th, ensuring that there are plenty of opportunities to catch them in action. So, mark your calendars and get ready to experience the magic of live music!
lastself is a band whose story is as captivating as their music. From
You can also follow them on all their social media platforms. From booking shows to keeping up with their latest music, lastself.com, Instagram (@lastselfband), Facebook and YouTube are the go-to sources. With their unique sound and talented musicianship, lastself is a band worth keeping up with. By following them, you'll never miss out on a chance to see them live or listen to their latest tracks. So, what are you waiting for?
Head over to their platforms and start following
lastself band today! - The Rhode Island Wave