It’s early summer of 2020 and most of the world’s non-essential activities have been curtailed in the midst of a pandemic. The music industry is by no means exempt. Radio stations sit empty as employees are advised to work from home, TV shows are broadcast remotely, and touring has come to a standstill. Against this backdrop, lies the genesis of Love Me!

Industry vets Mike Villalva and Danny Martinez-Diaz first collaborated in the MN-based country band, Up South. Suddenly, they found themselves with an unanticipated amount of free time as previously booked festivals, fairs, and venues were either canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.

With an Up South EP recently written, and ample time for creativity, Mike turned his attention to a previous love; a love with roots traced back to the earliest days of rock n’ roll,  effortlessly mixed with the energy of punk rock, and an emphasis on melodic sensibilities.  “I’ve always loved catchy music”,  I would say the first music that really struck me as a kid was ‘50s-early ‘60s rock n’ roll that my parents listened to. Elvis, Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, etc.” 

Mike continues, “Later in my childhood I was introduced to what a lot of people call the second wave of punk. Bands like Green Day, blink-182, Goldfinger, and stuff like that. Of course that led me back to the pioneers. The catchier side of The Ramones became a big influence. To me there was a synergy between that music and the stuff from the ‘50s and 60s. Maybe it was a little faster but it still had the catchy hooks, melodic traits, and was just fun to listen to.”

Mike began to revisit songs he had previously written years ago and sent them to his equally sidelined friend and bandmate. For his part, Danny was immediately intrigued. “I loved the melody and energy. There’s a very cool mix of aggressiveness and fun. I thought there was a lot of room to go at it!” Following this initial spark, Mike began writing new songs in a similar vein.

Shortly after, the duo found themselves back at OlsonStudios in Carver, MN where they had recently begun work on Up South’s debut EP. Studio owner, Doug Olson was also instantly impressed with the dynamic and musicianship of the new duo. “Love Me! brings back that late ‘90s-early ‘00s punk energy with their own unique sound added to it. Clever lyrics, killer drums. The meters are max’d whenever Love Me! is in the house!”

Love Me! entered OlsonStudios with the intent of recording a three song demo, as well as a cover of The Turtles’ classic hit “Happy Together” for a currently unannounced project. After the demo received a significant amount of positive feedback, the decision was made to record one more original song and turn the demo into an official release. Over the course of a few short months, what started as summer of uncertainty and idle time turned into a flurry of activity and the official birth of Love Me!

With plenty of excitement and momentum behind this new project, the demo-turned-EP, was mixed at Oneder Studios in Chesaning, MI by Nick Diener (The Swellers).

 The Love Me! debut EP is scheduled to be released in early 2022  following the release of their debut single "Shake It" which is available now!