“ALO offers a melodic invitation to good times and hard-road hymns, music full
of life designed for dancers, dreamers, and day-to-day strivers.” – Dennis Cook
The music and magic of ALO (aka Animal Liberation Orchestra) shines vividly on their
new album, Frames, on Brushfire Records. Frames embodies the spirit of a band riding
a creative wave, sharing art through four unique windows, with a depth and character
that feels fresh and vital. There is great joy in listening to this band of lifelong friends, as
they playfully meld their distinct musical personalities into one cohesive and beautiful
voice.
Inspired by the energy of their live performances, Steve Adams (bass, vocals), Zach Gill
(vocals, keys), Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz (guitar, vocals), and Ezra Lipp (drums, vocals)
entered a studio wonderland in the summer of 2024, alongside close friend and studio
collaborator, David Simon-Baker (aka,“DSB”). Ten tracks were collectively born,
exploring themes of connection and reflection, balancing optimism, humor, and
emotion.
The concept of Frames emerged organically during the recording process. “The idea of
frames – both literal and metaphorical – kept popping up in different ways,” says Gill.
This theme is explored in tracks like the Lebo-penned future-pop-disco anthem “Space
Between Frames,” which reflects on moments of clarity.
“So often we find ourselves trapped in a warp-speed life with frames of information
coming at us faster than fire,” says Lebo. “Some of it’s inspiring and some of it’s scary,
but it’s all so rapid paced that we just can’t keep up. The space between frames is about
finding that quiet place without so much noise, where we can actually reflect on what we
want to be and what we want to offer the world.”
While all four members of the quartet spend time outside of ALO playing with luminary
artists such as Jack Johnson, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Nicki Bluhm, it is within the
framework of ALO that these four musicians really shine. Individually, each band
member writes and sings, and together they create an eclectic yet accessible blend of
heartfelt song-craft, dance-floor booty beats, and expansive improvisations. ALO is
more than just a band, it’s the comfort of lifelong friendships, the spontaneity of late-
night road trips and the discovery of treasures hidden in car seats, green rooms and
buried voice memos.
Frames feels both old and new, fresh and classic. It’s a powerful and engaging
statement and step forward for ALO. It’s a beautiful sounding record, with depth and
character that balances the emotion, musicality and touches of clever humor in a new
way for the group. It holds dreams in its folds, and possibilities in its frames. “Now we
get to go out into the world with these 10 new songs, share them with people, and let
them develop on stage,” says Lebo. “Getting to know them and letting them grow on the
road is really exciting for all of us.
In a world obsessed with selfies and the claims of overindulged individualists, it’s a joy
listening to this band of lifelong friends as they work together, playfully melding their
distinct musical personalities into one cohesive and beautiful voice. A voice that is ALO.
