The Umbrellas

Bay Area jangle pop band the Umbrellas call on the same spirit of wistful reflection and earnest songcraft that defined twee movements of the past. The band’s upbeat melodic pop takes cues from various points in indie pop history, recalling the work of artists from K Records, Sarah Records, and Slumberland’s ’90s rosters while putting a personalized spin on the sound. After releasing a home-recorded EP, the Umbrellas released their self-titled LP in 2021.
The Umbrellas were formed in 2019 by Bay Area musicians Matt Ferrara, Keith Frerichs, Nick Oka, and Morgan Stanley. They took inspiration from a long line of twee and indie pop bands and paisley underground artists and channeled those influences into their first self-recorded tracks. Their four-song Maritime EP was recorded using a drum machine in winter of 2019, and the next year the songs were reissued on a limited run 7″ that quickly sold out. The band signed with indie pop institution Slumberland Records for the release of their self-titled debut LP and reconfigured their arrangements to include live drums and expanded production. The album was released in August of 2021. ~ Fred Thomas