Los Angeles’ MOTO SOLO is making waves with a string of electrifying New Wave singles this year, culminating in the heavier, hypnotic “Fantasy Meet Pleasure.” Co-produced by Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman, the track dives into the moment where imagination meets sensation—a concept bandleader Bobby Tamkin describes as “fantasy becoming a doorway to pleasure, whether through touch, taste, or the mind’s chemistry.”
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From the shimmering, Depeche Mode-inspired “There’s Another Way” and its daring Gui Boratto rework, to the mesmerizing pulse of “Celebration Sound” and the contemplative weight of “History Crept On Me,” MOTO SOLO continues to blur the line between dark introspection and danceable energy. At the center of it all is Tamkin’s baritone voice, weaving through layers of synths and textured arrangements that push the music beyond the traditional bounds of New Wave.
Tamkin’s journey to MOTO SOLO is as eclectic as his sound. A former drummer for Seattle’s experimental rock group Hovercraft, he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Foo Fighters during those formative years in the city’s vibrant music scene. After returning to Los Angeles, he performed with an array of artists including Beck, Kyuss, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea and John Frusciante, and Anton Newcombe, before pivoting to songwriting and production. This path led to his critically acclaimed band Xu Xu Fang, whose music earned praise from Rolling Stone, The Onion AV Club, and MOJO Magazine, and found its way into shows like Gossip Girl, Bates Motel, and The Originals.
With MOTO SOLO, Tamkin finally steps fully into the spotlight as singer, songwriter, and producer. Beginning in 2023, he retreated into the studio to craft the project, with Shuman contributing not just bass, but guitar, keyboards, arrangements, and production guidance. Together, and with GRAMMY-winning engineer Michael Harris, they developed a sound that balances brooding atmospheres with kinetic energy.
MOTO SOLO is a masterclass in sonic fusion—combining lush synths, driving grooves, and Tamkin’s haunting baritone. With singles mastered by GRAMMY-winners Joe LaPorta and Emily Lazar, the music nods to Depeche Mode and New Order while carving out its own bold, modern identity. Fantasy Meet Pleasure exemplifies the band’s ability to transform introspection, imagination, and raw emotion into something both intoxicating and unforgettable.