The Light Pines - old

About three years ago, before MySpace had yet to outstay its relevance, two Raleigh men took to the medium, jovially competing with one another and releasing demos that have since had an incredible impact on Triangle music. One was Stuart McLamb, who released the rough-and-tumble heartbreak that has made his The Love Language the area’s newest pop sensation. The other was Josh Pope, and his Light Pines have next.

Formed in the aftermath of McLamb and Pope’s other band, the catchy garage-rocking Capulets, The Light Pines makes pop that revels in creeping psychedelic vibes. Started as a fun recording project with Kate Thompson on keys and Tom Simpson on drums, the band was put on hold when its three members were tapped to fill out the original line-up of The Love Language. But after a successful year with McLamb, Pope and his cohorts found themselves restless. Parting with The Love Language, they put their full force behind the Pines, swelling the band’s ranks to seven and creating one of the state’s most enveloping live sounds. Shimmering with keys and layers of warm distortion, the Pines’ atmospheric jams fill up grimy rock clubs as though they were cathedrals. Riding along on the muscular groove of his own hypnotic bass lines, Pope garnishes the songs with an airy falsetto that belies his tough, mod-punk demeanor.

With a booming sound and a full-length debut in the works, the Pines are ready to step beyond demos and Internet buzz, following the footsteps of their friendly competitors to a new level of success. —Jordan Lawrence