After making their debut in 2023 with Sunset Sea Breeze (Meritorio / Paisley Shirt), Whitney’s Playland, the duo of Inna Showalter (Magic Fig, Blades of Joy, Modern Charms) and George Tarlson (Grandma’s Boyfriend) have fleshed out the band to include drummer Evan Showalter (Blank Square) and multi-instrumentalist Paul DeMartini and have returned with Long Rehearsal, a short and sweet three-song 7” EP set to be released on June 20th, 2025 via Dandy Boy Records (Oakland, CA) and Meritorio Records (Madrid, Spain). Their sound has evolved with the additional accompaniment, and this brand new batch of songs make for a fuller actualization of Showalter and Tarlson’s brand of Bay Area jangle pop. While these new songs recall the first album’s distinct style, they diverge from their bedroom pop introduction. Long Rehearsal sees the full band performing together for the first time on a record since expanding into a four-piece. The trio of tracks bridges the divide between jangle-pop and crunchy 90’s alt rock, plumbing the depths of tonality and mood. The whole thing is anchored by Inna Showalter’s delicately determined voice, which might help you forget about your trials and tribulations for a brief moment. The result is a more polished production but still keeps in touch with the band’s lo-fi roots. All three tracks were recorded at the band members’ San Francisco, El Cerrito, and Santa Rosa home studios.

What They Say: “The title track, Long Rehearsal, bolstered by catchy guitar hooks, clocks in at just under two minutes. It brings to mind a relationship that was once lost but is revitalized against all odds by the passage of time. We partnered with their friend and local artist Kittie Krivacic to create a music video for the song. Ideas of San Francisco sights and landmarks were thrown around until Evan Showalter (drums) pitched a storyline to delight us with mystery and intrigue. The video is a whirlwind adventure through the city, featuring its antique “F” route streetcars, the historic Ferry Building, Financial District, and the Castro neighborhood, as well as the band’s East Bay practice studio.“

The EP: Long Rehearsal

“The songs are introspective as ever, with themes of alienation and trustworthiness. Only Daughter is a fuzzed out  ode to eccentric neighbors everywhere, with just a hint of girl group bounce. The moody B-side Talk describes the emotional ride of trying to wrestle control from your own mind and voice box. Where do we end up? Somewhere better.”

Long Rehearsal EP will be out on June 20th, 2025 via Dandy Boy Records and Meritorio Records. Look HERE for more information on Whitney’s Playland.