Kevin Bronson on September 21st, 2018

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Maybe no song better feels California (circa 2018, anyway) than “Feeling California,” the second single from Winnetka Bowling League’s self-titled debut EP, which came out today. The single, the follow-up to the balmy beach vibe of “On the 5,” is a Beck-meets-Cake-meets-modern pop gem with bounce in every synth and a smile in every couplet. If you don’t like it, you should consider moving to someplace cold and cloudy.

So we asked Winnetka’s Bowling League’s main man Matthew Koma (you might know his voice from songs by Zedd, Tiesto, the Knocks, RAC and Flux Pavilion, et al) to conjure up a California-centric playlist to get us through the weekend. He calls it “a bunch of songs that gave us life while we recorded our first EP — some new classics and some old favorites.” It’s below, with his track-by-track commentary, along with a stream of the EP and info on Winnetka Bowling League’s live debut.

||| Live: Winnetka Bowling League plays Oct. 1 at the Peppermint Club. Tickets.

||| Stream: Winnetka Bowling League’s Feeling California playlist

Matthew Koma says:

Winnetka Bowling League, “On The 5” — I think it’s pretty good.

Rex Orange County, “Loving Is Easy” — So rarely does a song feel this familiar and warm on first listen. It’s all sincerity.

Rostam, “Bike Dream” — I can’t remember the last time I listened to a song over and over again and discovered something new on every listen. One of my favorite songs this year.

Hatchie, “Try” — Everything I ever loved about Juliana Hatfield breeding a new generation of 90s shimmer. She’s so special and her EP is amazing.

The Mamas & the Papas, “California Dreamin’” — This song is so haunting to me. It’s nostalgic and dreamy but there’s an uneasiness to it that I love. Had a big influence on the sound of our EP.

Summer Salt, “Driving to Hawaii” — Time capsule. It feels sad in the best way.

Elliott Smith, “Angeles” — Every year, I go through a two-month period where I listen to Elliott’s catalog and watch all his live videos. He breaks my heart and this song in particular has been my companion on many night drives through L.A.

Marshall Crenshaw, “You’re My Favorite Waste Of Time” — Marshall Crenshaw has a gift for melodies like no one else. He delivers a lyric and it’s immediately classic.

Peach Pit, “Seventeen” — These guys put on one of my favorite live shows I’ve seen in a long time. And they have great sweaters.

Dawes, “Time Spent In Los Angeles” — One of the best lyrics about how a city can shape a person. From one of the best songwriters of our time.

Jerry Paper (feat. Weyes Blood), “Grey Area” — This shit makes me happy.

Cigarettes After Sex, “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby” — I could keep this on loop all day.

The Beach Boys, “Sloop John B” — An obvious influence on Winnetka and this song has always been the one for me.

Buddy Holly, “Everyday” — I will never grow out of my Buddy Holly phase and this is the perfect song. Perfect recording.

Hamilton Leithauser, “A Thousand Times” — Ending with an incredible collaboration. I love this album.

||| Stream: Winnetka Bowling League’s debut EP