Singer David Kuehl (The Dance Party) and producer Nacey (Misun) get candid on California in their latest track for indie-pop outfit FREE ZUMA. The pair met co-headlining a show at NYC’s legendary Mercury Lounge in 2012, an intimate breeding ground of sorts for rock royalty like The Strokes, both playing in separate bands at the time. A few years, and several lineup changes later however, something clicked for the two…

“I’d been writing songs for years. I’ve always had a lot to say,” says Kuehl on the union, “but it wasn’t until hearing Nacey’s tracks that everything clicked into place. He has hours and hours of recorded music…writing feels like a day at the skatepark.” Pulling on Kuehl’s punk-influenced vocal chops and Nacey’s absorbing melodies, the union, in theory, isn’t too dissimilar from marrying marmite and spaghetti bolognese. The results are fruitful, but you won’t know until you try.

Their latest track, “Dragonfly” has all the elements of an early 2010 indie-pop classic – bringing us back to this golden era with an enchanting chorus, woozy guitars and optimistic piano production. Roaring vocals pepper the track, which at it core looks at the grimy underbelly of Southern California, showing it’s not all Calabasas hills and shopping on Melrose. “Now that you’re not around!” Kuehl screams, taking stock of reality but still casting a nostalgic eye back to what once was. It’s indie-pop at its best, redefined by the next decade to pass through its hallowed halls…

Listen to “Dragonfly” below…