Puerto’s “Lineas” is worthy of active listening

“Lineas is the Spanish word for lines,” says Puerto singer-guitarist Zachary Polletta of the surf duo’s new single “Lineas.” “I envision corduroy lines of incoming swell. Or the line a surfer takes while riding a wave. Or the succession of the notes played in this song. Like taking a brush to canvas and all the routes that could or should be taken.”

Based in OB, Polletta and drummer Sean Nowland blend jazz, sixties rock, and vintage soul on their debut album Portugal, produced and recorded by Jordan Andreen (Lukas Nelson, Karl Denson, the Damned) and due August 6. Says Polletta, “With regards to the first single being an instrumental, as with most of our writing processes, we did not set out to write an instrumental track or a song that excluded words. I sing when I have words to say, but other times I try to let the music do the speaking.”

“‘Lineas’ is a creative meditation of musical exaltation that bends between Dave Brubeck’s ‘Take Five’ and the Doors’ ‘Riders on the Storm.’ The instrumental suite pays homage to the happiness that creativity grants an individual…. The song represents a paradise that’s alive and well in the music, the only thing that can transplant the world to a place of grace. Thus, ‘Lineas’ is the resolve after the storm, a time where we are free to walk on the shoreline and reflect on what the storm taught us, something we all need now.”

A video for the track, filmed by Vice and Surfer Magazine videographer Kyle Buthman, is a cinematic meditation on the refuge of the California coast featuring professional female surfers Candra Jordan, Tessa Timmons, Bianca Dootson, and Leahi Johsens longboarding Santa Cruz’s infamous Steamer Lane. “The video itself contains a combination some existing footage, plus some new surf sessions that took place over the last few months. Fortunately, most beaches are still open for recreating and physical activity, meaning surfing is permitted, which allowed Kyle Buthman and the gals to get some additional footage for the edit.”

The surf duo cites expected influences such as the Beach Boys and the Surfaris, as well as more left field figures such as Duane Eddy and Wes Montgomery (Polletta) and Art Blakey and Dr. Dog (Nowland). Although together only for a couple of years now, their music has already been featured in filmmaker Kyle Buthman’s surf video “Scenic Route to Salinas,” and several singles have been uploaded to Spotify, including “Playday,” “Sick For You,” “Call the Doctor,” and “Agree to Disagree.”

They’ve opened for locals the Mattson 2 and Montalban Quintet, and Polletta says they’re looking forward to trying out the new tracks on audiences, especially the instrumentals. “When things were good pre-COVID, we played all types of gigs. Some were prolonged sets with more passive listening for audiences. When you’re playing multiple hours of original music, sometimes it’s nice to keep your mouth shut and just jam. But within those jams are songs worthy of active listening. Album worthy tunes. I wouldn’t be surprised if our upcoming releases contain all instrumentals, or none, depending on how we’re feeling or what we’re trying to convey.”

“I think we’re less concerned about trying to make a hit, and more concerned about playing what feels right, word or no words. That being said, we know there are some hits in there.”