LA trio Ramonda Hammer returned back in April after a brief hiatus with a new single called “Eyelash” that tied together all the loose ends of the grungy alt-rock sounds they’ve been honing over the course of a decade now. The chapter that lies ahead appears to be one of intention and direness, something of an inversion on their prior formula that revolved around constant touring and energetic DIY gigging in their hometown.
The second taste of their yet-to-be-announced EP planned for later this year arrives today with “The Panic,” a five-and-a-half-minute epic that ebbs and flows instrumentally as Devin Davis’ vocals reflect the song’s title. Opening with nearly a minute of ambient sound, the track slowly builds over the course of another minute before the first aggressive swell. “‘The Panic’ is tough for me to put into words—not because I’m afraid of it (though I wouldn’t blame myself if I were), but because the lyrics really speak for themselves,” Davis shares. “This song has become one of my biggest lifelines, and I offer it up so it might be that for someone else. I just want people to listen, to feel the depth of the music and the story, and if they’ve ever known that kind of fear, I hope it makes them feel a little less alone.”
In addition to the upcoming EP, Davis has booked AMPLIFY Arts Project’s upcoming CampChella Festival, set for July 27 in Ojai, California. The single-day fest celebrates female and gender-expansive artists with performances, mentorship opportunities, and more to support the organization’s youth music programs. Find more info here, and check out the new Ramonda Hammer single below.
