Hear Bardo Martinez’s Summery New Single “Love of Mine”

When Chicano Batman frontman Bardo Martinez isn’t playing guitar, keys and singing in his sharply-dressed soul band, he’s probably working on music in his home studio. Over the past two years, the multi-instrumentalist has been amassing a collection of vintage synthesizers and analog recording equipment the better to fully realize his musical ideas.

The first manifestation of this process is “Love of Mine,” a retro-futuristic jam we’re premiering exclusively on Paste. The song’s drum and bass hook was recorded live to 8-track tape machine. Once looped, the analog goods became the irresistible break that makes this love song feel like a funky summer block party on Venus.

Written for his wife, the single is Martinez’s first self-produced release on his own label Yemayá Sol Records. It’s a declaration of love that he says also makes a strong personal statement. “With writing this song, it’s like saying to the world: ‘This is who I am. This is who I love. This is what I sound like,’” he says.

An album from Martinez is in the works, but he doesn’t consider this a solo project so much as a collaboration. “I’m trying to change it up a little bit. Really, with this record that I’m putting out, it’s more about producing, in terms of creating music, and I’m working with different artists, just having different friends on it,” he says. For one example, you’ll hear Long Beach musician Rudy de Anda playing guitar on “Love of Mine.” Listen to the track below, and expect more heavy sounds from Yemayá Sol soon.

Bardo Martinez Tour Dates

Aug 3 – Los Angeles, CA at Lodgeroom
Aug 4 – San Francisco, CA at Swedish American Hall