Best Coast
American rock duo known for lo-fi sound and Internet buzz.
Best Coast is a rock duo from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2009 and currently on hiatus. The group is made up of Bethany Cosentino (songwriter, guitar, vocals) and Bobb Bruno (guitar, multi-instrumentalist). Cosentino, who worked as a child actress, started writing music as a teenager and previously played in the experimental drone group Pocahaunted. After a short time studying in New York City, she came back to the West Coast and began recording lo-fi demos with Bruno, whom she met through the local music scene.
Following a series of 7-inch singles and cassette-only releases, the duo signed with Mexican Summer, which put out their debut album, *Crazy for You*, in 2010. The record became an unexpected commercial hit after generating buzz online. Lewis Pesacov of Fool’s Gold and Foreign Born handled production, engineering, and mixing on the album. The band later added touring drummer Ali Koehler of Vivian Girls and spent much of 2011 performing at festivals and on tour. Their second album, *The Only Place*, came out in 2012 and featured a cleaner sound than earlier work. In 2013, they released an EP titled *Fade Away*, followed by their third studio album, *California Nights*, in May 2015. Their fourth album, *Always Tomorrow*, arrived in February 2020.
In 2023, Cosentino put Best Coast on hiatus to pursue a solo career, releasing her debut solo album, *Natural Disaster*, that same year. Bruno joined the shoegaze band Nothing as bass guitarist and contributed to their fifth album, *A Short History of Decay*, released in 2026.
- formed
- 2009
- origin
- Los Angeles, California
- genre
- Rock
- members
- Bethany Cosentino, Bobb Bruno
- years_active
- 2009–2023 (hiatus)
- label
- Mexican Summer, Jewel City
Lore & Background
Best Coast was formed in 2009 by Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno in Los Angeles. Cosentino, a former child actress, had been a member of the experimental drone group Pocahaunted and briefly studied creative writing in New York City before returning to the West Coast. She began recording lo-fi demos with Bruno, whom she met in the Los Angeles music scene. The band's early releases included 7-inch singles and cassette tapes, which attracted attention online and led to a signing with Mexican Summer.
The duo's debut album, Crazy for You, was released in 2010 and became an unexpected commercial success following Internet buzz. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 36. The band added touring drummer Ali Koehler of Vivian Girls and spent much of 2011 on tour. Their sophomore album, The Only Place, was released in 2012 with a cleaner sound produced by Jon Brion. Subsequent releases included the EP Fade Away (2013), the album California Nights (2015), and Always Tomorrow (2020).
In 2023, Cosentino put the band on hiatus to pursue a solo career, releasing her debut album Natural Disaster that same year. Bruno later joined the shoegaze band Nothing as a touring bassist and contributed to their fifth album, The Great Dismal (2020).
Reader's Guide
Best Coast emerged from the Los Angeles indie scene in the late 2000s, gaining traction through Internet buzz and lo-fi recordings. Their debut album, Crazy for You, marked a significant moment in the blog-era music landscape, demonstrating how online attention could propel an independent act to mainstream chart success. The band's sound, characterized by simple melodies and reverb-heavy vocals, influenced a wave of similar acts. Their evolution from lo-fi to more polished production on later albums reflected a broader trend in indie rock. The duo's hiatus in 2023 and Cosentino's solo work, along with Bruno's role in Nothing, underscore the band's lasting impact on the alternative music scene. Best Coast remains a touchstone for the early 2010s indie revival, with their music continuing to be referenced by critics and fans.
Did You Know?
- Bethany Cosentino was a former child actress and member of the experimental drone group Pocahaunted.
- The band's debut album, Crazy for You, entered the Billboard 200 at number 36.
- Best Coast's sophomore album, The Only Place, was produced by Jon Brion at Capitol Records Studio B.
- In 2023, Cosentino put the band on hiatus to release her solo debut, Natural Disaster.
More in American rock music duos 1-24
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