Our Story
Robin Lovejoy - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Songwriting
Ivo Mijac - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Percussion
Amalgamation is a southern California indie/alt-rock band with a mystical drive buoyed by the powerhouse vocals of front woman Robin Lovejoy and guitarist Ivo Mijac’s nimble arrangements. Much like their musical ancestors Led Zeppelin, PJ Harvey, & Jeff Buckley, the music mingles dark and light, exploring fever dreams of the imagination. Amalgamation brings a soulful light and sound to the San Diego area and beyond with their brand of "conscious rock".
Amalgamation began at an overcrowded open mic at Café International in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco. Ivo's empty seat became more than a momentary respite for a fellow musician, and the collaboration eventually formed between the two remains the primary lifeblood of the band.
Ivo was raised among the greasy axels of Detroit, immersed in Motown and Soul Train. He cut his musical chops listening to Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King, singing in Glee Club and playing in late night jazz jams. Hundreds of miles away in a small rural town outside Scranton, PA, Robin was sharpening her teeth on Zeppelin, Heart, and Aerosmith. She later trained operatically and learned to belly dance on the side while conjuring rock compositions.
At the time they met, Robin was departing her 'dark night of the soul' phase and beginning to explore the Eckankar spiritual path, known as the path of the light and sound. She had survived three near-death experiences, inherited her father’s guitar – nicknamed 'Sparrow' – and the music began pouring out. For his part, Ivo was dreaming of desert solitude, driving his VW camper van in search of his truth in life. Their wide ranging musical influences found common ground in this spiritual longing and the two lives and styles combined. The result is a catalogue at once full of mystical yearning and pulsing with raw energy.
Their most recent single "We're Gonna Love" as well as "Firefly" were recorded and mixed by Grammy award-winning engineer Nahuel Bronzini (of Fantastic Negrito). "Resurrected" encompasses a modern blues chant and "We're Not the Only Ones" eludes to 'others' in the universe with a synthy dance groove. Their heavier rock tune,“Boomerang” incorporates many of the more contemporary bands that have grabbed the band’s ears, (Queens of the Stone Age, Phantogram, My Morning Jacket), with crisp melodic twists, heavier rhythms, and dynamic production. In it's earliest stages, the band released their debut full-length album, Queen of Dreams, followed by the Circadian Rhythms EP.
The band now has its eyes on exploring other parts of the US to tour & share the gospel of Amalgamation. They’re ready to bring their music to broader audiences and open for them that unique rock n roll portal to the deeper meaning of our existence.
Listen Local Radio & the fabulous Cathryn Beeks
Cathryn is a tour de force yet down to earth promoter and maker of music in the north county who has given us the warmest welcome to the area as well as airplay 2x on her Listen Local Radio show in May and June of 2023.
Amplified SD interview
This cool spot is a recording studio and creative space for musicians to gather and share their music in a songwriter support group, open mic, or showcase and we are proud to be part of the community and asked to be interviewed by them. Check it out right here:
https://www.amplifiedsd.com/blog-posts/0u7ebid56395ghugsndl7mdv8ddasp
We've been featured on Women of Substance Podcast
This is an amazing platform that wholeheartedly supports women and female fronted bands. Bree Noble is doing an amazing job of helping artists out and Amalgamation is honored to be featured & spotlighted there with our new single, “We're Gonna Love”.
Our NEW single has arrived !!!
We are beyond ecstatic and thrilled to share our newly released song "We're Gonna Love", another track mixed and mastered by the one and only Nahuel Bronzini. It's been quite a journey these last two years and this piece of music represents many of the feelings we experienced during that time. It also reflects on how others have coped with this anomaly of a reality that we somehow had to manage and accept. But, we're here and we've made it through. Much love to you all and may you listen with joy and an open heart. Please purchase our new song right here on our website so we can make 100% of the proceeds. And, feel free to share your enthusiasm for our music by supporting us on our social media platforms too. Thank you kindly.
Press / Mentions
Amalgamation's most recent single, "We're Gonna Love" as well as the previous single "Firefly" were recorded and mixed by Nahuel Bronzini, a 2-time Grammy award winning Bay area audio engineer.
We were also recently featured on Soundwaves FM radio on 107.7 hosted by Dennis Willis. Check us out around the 35:11 minute mark to hear our broadcast !!! Amalgamation on 107.7 FM
The band has played legendary venues such as DNA Lounge, Great American Music Hall, Red Devil Lounge, Elbo Room, Hotel Utah, Amnesia and others. Previous events include SF Porchfest, First Fridays Oakland, Sunday Streets Festival, Girlstock Fest, 19 Broadway, and many more. Amalgamation was featured as “Best Band” in the SF Weekly's Best of 2015. They have been twice awarded for "Best Band" and "Best Album/Recording" by the Bay Area Bands-for-Bands Organization. Amalgamation has also toured the Pacific Northwest, playing the halftime show for the Seattle Majestics and performing at prime venues in Washington and Oregon. Their video "Hypnotic Box" was also featured on Strictly Global, an internationally syndicated television program showcasing up and coming bands from all over the world.
Zipgig article and show review by Andrea Harding~ https://zipgig.io/blog/2020/02/12/amalgamation-indie-rock-with-a-spiritual-essence/
“Mystical and deeply relevant writing combined with the band's technical precision and singer Robin Lovejoy's encompassing range and power, Amalgamation brings us back to the roots of rock while pushing us forward into an important new construction of music. The group's live performance is unbeatable, offering power and subtlety with tunes that hearken to the best of Zeppelin and PJ Harvey, but elevated by the precious beauty of Lovejoy's voice.”