Introducing Latchkey: “Like a Country Velvet Underground’s 3rd Album”
Pop-Up Dining details — Lasagne, Garden Salad, House baked sourdough bread, CHOCOLATE YUM WITH CREAM AND BERRIES. $25
Mixing elements from countrified soul, 70s AM radio, and four-part vocal harmony, and putting the results through a punk rock filter, Latchkey presents an invigorating twist on the Northern California festival vibe with a sound that’s been described as “a country Velvet Underground’s 3rd album.” Their debut recording, Backyard, showcases the dreamy, acoustic side of the group. They’re currently holed up at Temple Studio, working on recordings that show off their more raucous and electric side.
Jen Martell is the youngest of a musical family, comfortable with styles from campfire drum circles to West African dance. The innate musicality and smoky alto voice of this percussion goddess, singer, and songwriter are the key to the Latchkey sound.
Nicholas Petti came of age on the streets of New York City and the stages of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, and later played with luminaries like Ryan Adams. He brings the twang with guitar, pedal steel, songwriting, and vocals.
John Taylor is Latchkey’s special sauce. The wry guitar artistry and impassioned vocals of this St. Petersburg native add depth and detail to Latchkey’s songs; and like his Duran Duran name-alike, he’s a total babe.
Todd Cinnamon began his career with Sacramento’s The Go, at age 14. Inspired by awkward unicorns, rainbows, and glitter, this multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter is mainly responsible for the beat, citing Ringo and Animal from The Muppets as his top influences.
Peter Temple rounds out the five-piece. A Colorado transplant, this bassist and engineer has been providing the bottom end for local groups since the early 90s. In addition to laying the foundation for Latchkey, he also owns and operates Temple Studio, a full-service recording and live sound studio.
