White Dove

White Dove
“Caroline”
There’s nothing we love more than a catchy California rock song, and White Dove definitely delivers. The quartet cites influences from Fleetwood Mac and The Byrds, while vocalist Alex Johnstone channels her inner Mazzy Star on “Caroline.” This track will appear on the band’s forthcoming release via White Iris Records, and we’re really feeling the West Coast beach vibes. - Refinery 29

The downtempo Los Angeles trio White Dove showed their creepy side in "Sister," the first video from their recently released The Hoss, The Candle. Well, we're happy to say that they have a sense of humor as well, and we've got the exclusive video premiere to prove it. Their new video for "Come On Into Hell" features the band traversing the dreamy desert landscapes of Southern California on their way to a small gig that will set everything right with the world—a light-hearted journey that's dark around the edges.

According to guitarist Jack Long, lead singer and songwriter Alex Johnstone dreamt up the concept for the video that saw the band as "power poppers, born to rock, trying to make it to a gig." Or as Johnstone describes the video: "Three cool power pop dudes must make it through the supernatural desert to arrive at their gig on time and vindicate the power of rock and roll!"

Director Ryan Reeb set the video (mostly) in a classic car against rear projection footage of iconic Joshua Tree. Reeb confesses, "I've always wanted to shoot something using a rear projection screen style like Hitchcock, Tarantino, etc. So, when the band was accepting of that, I was very excited. It was also a nice opportunity to go back to some of my favorite parts of Southern California like Joshua Tree. In another life, I was a lizard on a rock."

But don't be fooled—the band suffered for their art. "The desert is hot," Johnstone explains, referring to the footage shot on location in Lancaster. "It's even hotter when you have a wig on, a mustache glued to your face, and a bandage around your chest."

Did I mention it also features some fantastic hair? Judge for yourself. And then read the Q&A with White Dove and director Ryan Reeb.
- Under The Radar

White Dove are a breath of fresh air for the L.A. music scene, producing lo-fi pop with hints of Low, Lower Dens and Cat Power. It’s rare to hear something this delicate and with such depth touted as a single from a cool new band (well, they were called Monster before) in a time when even the smallest bands seem to be jamming synths and dance beats into their sound, if they’re not going full garage. Such a nice, sweet surprise, with a sort of wavering trill to Alex Johnstone’s vocals that hint at deeper darkness. The Host, The Candle is due July 16 on RSRCH. - Amoeba Music

White Dove are a breath of fresh air for the L.A. music scene, producing lo-fi pop with hints of Low, Lower Dens and Cat Power. It’s rare to hear something this delicate and with such depth touted as a single from a cool new band (well, they were called Monster before) in a time when even the smallest bands seem to be jamming synths and dance beats into their sound, if they’re not going full garage. Such a nice, sweet surprise, with a sort of wavering trill to Alex Johnstone’s vocals that hint at deeper darkness. The Host, The Candle is due July 16 on RSRCH. - Amoeba Music

White Dove is the kind of band whose music leaves you scratching your head trying to figure out who it reminds you of, until you realize that the group is really doing its own thing altogether. On The Hoss, the Candle, White Dove’s first album as White Dove (previously, the band was known as Monster), the Los Angeles-based trio fashions an inviting twang-pop sound that finds the sweet spot where nostalgia and novelty overlap. So while frontwoman Alex Johnstone’s voice might recall Chan Marshall in her more melodic, even-keeled moments and you might hear hints of Mazzy Star’s twinkling atmospherics here or a slight touch of Belle and Sebastian’s indie symphonics there, The Hoss, the Candle develops into a piece that stands up well on its own terms. With the imminent release of The Hoss, the Candle, PopMatters touched base with the band to find out how the album came together and why Monster became White Dove. PopMatters is premiering The Hoss, the Candle, which comes out on RSRCH + DVLP on 16 July. - PopMatters

White Dove is the kind of band whose music leaves you scratching your head trying to figure out who it reminds you of, until you realize that the group is really doing its own thing altogether. On The Hoss, the Candle, White Dove’s first album as White Dove (previously, the band was known as Monster), the Los Angeles-based trio fashions an inviting twang-pop sound that finds the sweet spot where nostalgia and novelty overlap. So while frontwoman Alex Johnstone’s voice might recall Chan Marshall in her more melodic, even-keeled moments and you might hear hints of Mazzy Star’s twinkling atmospherics here or a slight touch of Belle and Sebastian’s indie symphonics there, The Hoss, the Candle develops into a piece that stands up well on its own terms. With the imminent release of The Hoss, the Candle, PopMatters touched base with the band to find out how the album came together and why Monster became White Dove. PopMatters is premiering The Hoss, the Candle, which comes out on RSRCH + DVLP on 16 July. - PopMatters

With a sound more akin to associations of elusive and delicate creatures of flight rather than haunting demons, LA-based lo-fi wonders previously known as Monster, have reemerged as the ethereal White Dove. And with their new subtly potent and emotional new album The Hoss, The Candle, we hear the gorgeous combination of front woman Alex Johnstone's poetic lyrics, cooly spry slide guitar, and haunting vocals—an amalgam both melancholy and genuinely pleasurable and immersive.

There's a rawness to White Dove's soft-rock meets pop sound that harkens back to a prior time, not so far in the past to anachronistic, but just enough to hint at the old-souls behind the elusively cool California treasure. As the perfect sonic accompaniment for an blithe summer's day spent wandering in the sun or a cool night hidden under the stars rolling in the grass, the new album drops July 16th, but today, we're pleased to premiere their latest track, "Sister."

Rife with Johnstone's stunning vocals, "Sister" croons over myriad instruments that bring the emotive and quivering track to life with a sweeping sense of beauty. In an alternate universe somewhere, "Sister" is set on loop as the denouement of an imaginary and emotionally revelatory late 90s, early 2000s Paul Thomas Anderson film plays, filled with emotion and sentiment drifting in and out of grand cosmic realization.

Take a listen below and head over to White Dove's site for more. - BlackBook Magazine

With a sound more akin to associations of elusive and delicate creatures of flight rather than haunting demons, LA-based lo-fi wonders previously known as Monster, have reemerged as the ethereal White Dove. And with their new subtly potent and emotional new album The Hoss, The Candle, we hear the gorgeous combination of front woman Alex Johnstone's poetic lyrics, cooly spry slide guitar, and haunting vocals—an amalgam both melancholy and genuinely pleasurable and immersive.

There's a rawness to White Dove's soft-rock meets pop sound that harkens back to a prior time, not so far in the past to anachronistic, but just enough to hint at the old-souls behind the elusively cool California treasure. As the perfect sonic accompaniment for an blithe summer's day spent wandering in the sun or a cool night hidden under the stars rolling in the grass, the new album drops July 16th, but today, we're pleased to premiere their latest track, "Sister."

Rife with Johnstone's stunning vocals, "Sister" croons over myriad instruments that bring the emotive and quivering track to life with a sweeping sense of beauty. In an alternate universe somewhere, "Sister" is set on loop as the denouement of an imaginary and emotionally revelatory late 90s, early 2000s Paul Thomas Anderson film plays, filled with emotion and sentiment drifting in and out of grand cosmic realization.

Take a listen below and head over to White Dove's site for more. - BlackBook Magazine

Somewhere between the bright colors of cosmic country and the dolorous shadows of pop noir lies the music of White Dove. The L.A. trio of Alex Johnstone, Jack Long, Carl Harders spent much of the past decade going by the name Monster, cultivating ethereal vignettes around the delicate quaver of Johnstone, who sings like she’s handling fine crystal. It works well in the tasteful, spare arrangements on the trio’s new album “The Hoss, the Candle,” which is the result of several years of work. The songs on the album date to 2008-09 and were recorded but never released. After dispensing with the Monster moniker, White Dove hooked up with producer Dave Trumfio, reshaping the album at his Kingsize Soundlabs. It’ll be released July 16 on the imprint Trumfio founded with former KXLU music director Frank Higuera, RSRCH + DVLP. - BUZZBANDS.LA

Somewhere between the bright colors of cosmic country and the dolorous shadows of pop noir lies the music of White Dove. The L.A. trio of Alex Johnstone, Jack Long, Carl Harders spent much of the past decade going by the name Monster, cultivating ethereal vignettes around the delicate quaver of Johnstone, who sings like she’s handling fine crystal. It works well in the tasteful, spare arrangements on the trio’s new album “The Hoss, the Candle,” which is the result of several years of work. The songs on the album date to 2008-09 and were recorded but never released. After dispensing with the Monster moniker, White Dove hooked up with producer Dave Trumfio, reshaping the album at his Kingsize Soundlabs. It’ll be released July 16 on the imprint Trumfio founded with former KXLU music director Frank Higuera, RSRCH + DVLP. - BUZZBANDS.LA

Though LA-based trio, White Dove, no longer goes by the moniker Monster, they haven't been able to shake off a murky, mighty presence that others would surely find intimidating. Case in point? Their new single, "Cold Mountain," featured on forthcoming LP, The Hoss, The Candle, out July 16 via RSRCH & DVLP.

Don't be surprised to find a sonic shadow take form and continue to lurk throughout the song, running just under three minutes long. During the first 20 seconds, you might be convinced "Cold Mountain" is developing into quite the rustic, huddle-around-the-campfire type of track, and that's understandable; it contains the sincere, lingering slide guitar characteristic of melancholic Americana blues. But once Alex Johnstone’s atmospheric vocals kick in, carrying pattering drums and shimmering guitar, this proves to be one overcast and unforgetable pop anthem.
- FILTER Magazine

Though LA-based trio, White Dove, no longer goes by the moniker Monster, they haven't been able to shake off a murky, mighty presence that others would surely find intimidating. Case in point? Their new single, "Cold Mountain," featured on forthcoming LP, The Hoss, The Candle, out July 16 via RSRCH & DVLP.

Don't be surprised to find a sonic shadow take form and continue to lurk throughout the song, running just under three minutes long. During the first 20 seconds, you might be convinced "Cold Mountain" is developing into quite the rustic, huddle-around-the-campfire type of track, and that's understandable; it contains the sincere, lingering slide guitar characteristic of melancholic Americana blues. But once Alex Johnstone’s atmospheric vocals kick in, carrying pattering drums and shimmering guitar, this proves to be one overcast and unforgetable pop anthem.
- FILTER Magazine

We caught White Dove at the Bootleg last month shortly after the band subtly announced via email list their name change from the ominous Monster to its new more benevolent one. And, oh dear, were we stunned. Even when we declared our love for them way back in 2006 we might have been a bit overzealous (us, overzealous?), but with these new songs we can hardly contain ourselves. Still immersed in the beautiful slumber of melancholic lo-fi rock, the band has reinvigorated their sound with rich harmonies and intricate arrangements. In other words, old fans of Monster are gonna shit their pants for this new band. - la-underground.net