ALO

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. 

ALO is a California  rock n’ roll institution, going on over 30 years, and it is the most egalitarian band I have ever been a part of,” says Lipp. “I think that’s one of the reasons for its longevity.” ALO’s biography is a timeless, feel-good rock n’ roll musical love story. California natives Lebowitz, Adams and Gill joined forces in junior high in the ‘80s, stayed together throughout their years at UC Santa Barbara in the ‘90s, returned home to the San Francisco Bay Area in the ‘00s, and have cultivated a devoted following over the course of decades, keeping the band in high demand at venues and festivals worldwide. Ezra Lipp has held down the drum seat for over 7 years, with Frames being his second full length album with the band.

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.