The dreamy, sun-drenched essence of the golden coast is an intoxicant in itself. And San Diego’s own The Donkeys are turning out a style of soft rock perfectly complimentary to the quintessential Cali vibe. Drawing from 60’s surf rock instrumentation similar to Dick Dale & The Del Tones and The Beach Boys, their newest full-length album release Ride the Black Wave offers a sound much like it name suggests: a hybrid between swaying, soft beach music reminiscent of Best Coast and Beach Fossils, along with something a bit darker. The result of this combination being a pleasantly somber and sedating fusion of rock, sunshine, and surf. Think Arctic Monkeys in paradise. – Michael Iemma