Loose is the solo project of Los Angeles-based musician Elias Avila, who cut his teeth as the touring guitarist for The Frights and a tour manager for California indie bands.

Born from a season of low-simmering existential discontent, his debut album Life Is Really Not So Good tows the line between tongue-in-cheek slacker rock, guitar-led alt country, and stark, diaristic songwriting.

Avila hit the road early, landing a gig playing guitar for the Frights when he was 24 years old. After four years, he pivoted to tour management and criss-crossed the country again with a slew of other bands, including Daffo, Sad Park, and more.

Life Is Really Not So Good marks his first foray into solo recording work, a sonic culmination of years of physical and existential wandering. Loose’s first single, “Ten On Nine,” is a cheeky, self-deprecating ode to Marlboros, Coors Banquet, and the youthful listlessness that comes with not knowing where your life is going but filling up the tank anyway.