Conjuring a nostalgic dream-pop sound, Powder Pink & Sweet is a band based in Los Angeles, CA. Cris Verso formed the project in 2016, releasing the debut single “Blue Sunshine” that same year. Showing serene vocals and hypnotic guitar tones, “Blue Sunshine” set in motion a sound steeped in lush nostalgia, exploring aspects of dream-pop, shoegaze, post-punk, and new wave. The track saw airplay on radio shows like Check One Two on KLOS in Los Angeles, in addition to online radio such as DKFM and Big Sonic Heaven. Powder Pink & Sweet’s second single, “Grey Day,” released in October 2020, sees textural guitars emitting a post-punk and shoegaze-friendly allure. Obscure Sound called “Grey Day” an “enjoyable success with a dreamy sense of nostalgia.”
Involved in the Los Angeles music scene for many years, Cris Verso formed Powder Pink & Sweet soon after the passing of her mother. The project became an outlet of expression for Verso, who comes from an artistic background and musical household. “After my mom died In 2015, I mustered the courage to develop it and become more serious,” Verso says. Playing with a stylistically eclectic cast of musicians in prior years, ranging from ska/reggae (The Cover-Ups, The Twi-Lites, Hi Fever) to punk (Bottlecap, The Stalkings), Verso marks the next step in her musical career with Powder Pink & Sweet, a natural stylistic output considering her longtime love for ’80s new wave. In addition to this project, Verso has also explored indie/shoegaze in collaborations with the band Sleeping Car, with Rafe Mandel (of Polar Goldie Cats and Best Coast).
Joining Cris in the live band is guitarist Carl Urbinati, bassist Stephanie Rose and new drummer Roger Brogan. Carl hails from Chicago and has an indie rock and Americana background, having played in bands such as Skylarks, Smokey Lonesome, Burn Riffs, Shotgun Break and Artichoke. He brings his unique style to round out the ethereal and dreamy feel of the live project. Stephanie originally played in PP&S from 2018-2020, and is back with the group in 2024 moving forward. Roger is a percussionist and audio engineer based in Los Angeles. He has currently playswith Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips and Alison’s Halo, and has collaborated with SPECTRUM/Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3, The Gentle Cycle, Mike Lindsay (Tunng), Philipe Cohen (Gotan Project), Frausdots, The Tyde, Frankie Rose, Rhett Miller (Old 97s), MGMT, and Scott Hackwith (Dig)
Contact: powderpinkmusic@gmail.com