REVIEW: Ella Parent and Jamie Lacovara of Sticko on Their “Adult-ass” Performance at Permanent Records, and the Origins of Their Adorkably Twee Sound.
WRITTEN BY LOGAN FLEMING
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Photo by Logan Fleming
Los Angeles based, self proclaimed ‘Laptop twee’ band, Sticko is a new addition to the lo-fi pop scene, but the duo behind their sound; My Betsy bassist Ella Parent and manager of Sukpatch Jamie Lacovara are certainly not green to the music industry.
The couple both work corporate industry day jobs and met studying at USC’s Thornton School of Music, but that didn’t mean the pair were immune to preshow jitters ahead of their first performance as Sticko opening for Chatterton and Cootie Catcher at permanent records last July.
“That was like an adult-ass show,” said Parent following that first appearance.
The two were joined on stage by fellow USC alum and My Betsy member Meena Aspeytia on the bass who held down the rhythm section alongside Lacovara on a midi keyboard and Roland SP set up.
Though their nerves and excitement were palpable when I met with them before the start of the set that evening, their dynamic was adorably endearing both on and off the stage.
Lacovara appeared stoic and almost aloof as he prepared equipment. Seemingly oblivious to the enthusiastic crowd, while Parent brought adorkable and slightly off kilter banter to the stage fitting the aforementioned ‘twee’ label perfectly.
“If you don’t commit to a character on stage it can be sort of awkward,” Parent said. “But playing a character is not something I’m interested in or really want to do.”
What Parent called “awkward”’ was received by the crowd as disarming sincerity. This earnest demeanor lent itself to their signature sound of laid-back vocals layered on top of sample-focused production.
Their unreleased track “Money Clip” was a clear highlight of the set and, upon release, is sure to be the quintessential Sticko single, as it perfectly demonstrates everything about their sound that just works; conversational vocals, over a warm vintage synth pad and a sampled breakbeat layered underneath, come together synergistically without sacrificing freshness despite the song’s clear appeal to nostalgic sentimentality.
The combination of their creative and musical abilities came naturally to the couple, who started experimenting with their sound around the time they first met, about four years ago.
“He’d send me some beats he made,” Parent said. “I put guitar over one, and that was how we started.”
Two released singles, one live show, and countless late-night practice sessions later, the group shows undeniable promise, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Catch them at Echo Park Rising on August 29.