Wetlands

Last year, Wetlands seemed to be everywhere. With a multitalented and ever-evolving lineup, the Santa Barbara outfit was capable of commanding stages big and small, and known to incite a fair share of dance parties in the process. And though the band has since taken a school- and work-induced hiatus, their debut EP is working as much-needed cure for the live-show withdrawals. Self-released last month, intheraw is a percussive and funky six-track offering, replete with the Afro-beat bump and Prince-infused grind of Wetland’s live set. Favorites like “don’tbeshy” and “cookforyou” all make the cut, but it’s “Manifesto” that perhaps best captures the band at its finest, complete with its cumbia rhythms and sing-along-ready chorus. Better still, all proceeds from intheraw go directly to Xela AID, a small nonprofit that works with Guatemalan families to break the cycle of poverty through educational and financial opportunities. Visit wetlands1.bandcamp.com to order.