Named after a film industry job title, The Colourist, is an upbeat Southern California group comprised of Adam Castilla (guitar, vocals), Maya Tuttle (drums, vocals), Kollin Johannsen (bass) and Justin Wagne (guitar).
In 2009, just a few months after forming, the band won Best New Artist, Best Song for their debut single, “Little Games” and Best Live Band at the O.C. Music Awards.
The unexpected success jolted the young stars into the public eye; earning “Little Games” the Number One spot on Hype Machine and garnering the band a record deal with Universal Republic Records.
With these accolades, a few more shows under their belt, and the release of their debut E.P “Lido” in 2013, The Colourist went on to open for bands, including Metric and Grouplove, on national tours.
Their first full length, self-titled album, “The Colourist,” featuring the synth-flecked single, “We Won’t Go Home,” was released earlier this year. Since then, the band has been touring and recording non-stop.
SantaCruz.com was able to catch up with drummer and vocalist, Maya Tuttle ahead of The Colourist’s show at The Catalyst Atrium, with Maudlin Strangers and I Am Strikes, on Wednesday, July 22.
You were a student at UC Irvine when the group formed.
MAYA: Technically, I met Adam after school and we got it started then. So I was lucky to finish school before my music career started. The band started to pick up steam in Orange County, playing sets at local bars in the area. Eventually we scored a residency at The Bootleg Theatre in Hollywood. Every week it would get more and more packed. Record labels started taking notice and coming out. At the end of that we got an offer to be signed. That was when it all truly began.
You rose in popularity very quickly.
MAYA: It’s a trip, that’s for sure. Our first tour was with the band Metric, and their lead singer is the talented Emily Haines. I really look up to her so that was an amazing experience. It is such a trip to be on a peer level with someone you look up to. It inspires you to work harder and make the most of every show.
You have a great voice. Singing and playing drums at the same time is pretty badass.
MAYA: None of us had any singing background. For me, it started with singing in the shower. As a kid I looked up to Karen Carpenter. I thought it was awesome she could play the drums and sing so well at the same time. It was tough at first because it can be scary hearing your own voice out loud. It was great that we had each other when we started to experiment with singing.
It speaks a lot to the grind and talent of your band that you were able to make it in the saturated LA music scene. What other bands in SoCal should we be checking out?
MAYA: I went to a show last night for a band called, The Griswolds. The singer, Chris Whitehall, has an incredible voice. He’s able to hit crazy notes and has a huge range. It’s super catchy and fun music. Mr. Little Jeans is another artist I really like a lot right now. X- Ambassadors just put out an album called VHS, which is really solid. We toured with them, great guys out of New York.
This will be your first time playing in Santa Cruz.
MAYA: We haven’t played locally, but I’m actually from around Santa Cruz originally. I grew up in Sunnyvale, so I spent a lot of great times as a kid in Santa Cruz. I ate dinner with my dad at Stagnaros on the wharf when I was in town a few weeks ago. Definitely stoked to come back.
Info: The Colourist, with Maudlin Strangers and I Am Strikes. 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. The Catalyst Atrium. Tickets: $14/$17.
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