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Artist
THE ENDANGERED
12+ albums
soullos angeles
about
The Endangered is Maiya Sykes, Nick Block, Frank Abraham and Gene Coye. Founded in Los Angeles in 2009, guitarist Nick Block and drummer Gene Coye, who met while attending California Institute of the Arts, enlisted Berklee College of Music graduate, bassist Frank Abraham, to establish a start-up music production house dedicated to writing songs for others. While working together the three realized that they were in need of a talented in-house vocalist and turned to singer Maiya Sykes to write lyrics and perform the trio’s compositions. Sykes, a brilliant performer who not only sings back-up for Macy Gray and fronts the house band for the uber-trendy Sayers Club in Hollywood, was an undeniable first choice. Prior to teaming up as The Endangered, Sykes had previously played with both Coye and Abraham. With a few songs under their belt, this foursome discovered that writing as a team came naturally and with a good vibe. According to guitarist Nick Block “We’d established a unique sound based on the eclectic mix of all our personal influences and realized it made more sense to depart from the concept of selling our recordings for other artists to cover, and embrace the idea of making a true band out of the relationship the four of us developed as writers.” It was then that these collaborators decided to officially become The Endangered. “We named the group The Endangered because we felt that the type of music we enjoyed playing was slowly being edged out of the popular music le
why this is interesting
# Why This Album Matters This ensemble deserves attention for its rigorous approach to contemporary songwriting. Formed by musicians trained at institutions like CalArts and Berklee, the group channels their technical foundation into compositions that balance sophisticated arrangement with genuine emotional accessibility. What distinguishes their work is an apparent commitment to craft—each member contributes meaningfully to the songwriting process rather than inhabiting a predetermined role. Maiya Sykes's vocal presence anchors intricate instrumental textures without overwhelming them. The album rewards sustained listening, revealing layers that suggest the group thinks carefully about how songs function both as immediate experiences and as complex musical objects. For listeners curious about where contemporary songwriting intersects with accomplished musicianship,
