Santa Barbara-based Ruben Zarate created the musical persona known as Dante Elephante in 2013. Shortly thereafter Lollipop Records would release German Aquatics (2012) followed by Anglo-Saxon Summer LP (2015), produced by Jonathan Rado (Foxygen), seeing praise from Consequence of Sound, Funny or Die, and Brooklyn Vegan. In the summer of 2018, Elephante then digitally released another full-length, Rare Attractions, leading to appearances at SXSW, Treefort Festival, as well as tours supporting The Orwells, Summer Salt, and Real Estate. Two records and a headlining tour under his belt, Dante Elephante then offered his most accomplished work to date: Mid-Century Modern Romance (2021), produced by Paul Cherry, featuring eight soulful, disco-kissed tracks, seemingly right out of 1979.