Hanging On Sunset

Anthony « Nino » Salazar is a man of many talents. We first discovered him behind the drum kit of Teenage Wrist. We had the pleasure to interview him and Marshall Gallagher earlier in June (HOS Season 1 episode 21) when Teenage Wrist released their brilliant last album « Earth is a black hole » (Epitaph). What we didn’t know is that Anthony aka Nino is also a great frontman (Guitar, Vocals) in the band Iron Point. In August, Animaan from Analog Party shoot me a text, they couldn’t perform a gig at Harvard and Stone so they asked me if Yard Of Blondes could cover for them. I was excited because Iron Point was on the same bill. See that’s what we talk about all the time on this podcast, building a rock community in LA that knows each other, supports each other, and can cover for each other when needed.

The show we played at Harvard and Stone reinforced that feeling because not only they are great people, but they also are amazing performers. Can you believe that people actually dance to their music? It might seem weird, but that doesn’t happen very often in Los Angeles, where people are, very often, too self-conscious to let go, unless they’re totally drunk or cocained. During our interview, Anthony said multiple times he was trying to make « unashamed » music with this project. I don’t see why they would be ashamed of having fun and sharing that fun with the audience. Iron Point is « rock n’ roll » in the pure sense of the word. It’s pretty straightforward, it embodies Anthony and Adam Gimenez’s (the other half of Iron Point) passion and drives. They’re not a band of poseurs and are not afraid of smacking guitar solos right in your face. Anthony’s influences reflect that spirit as he mentions two of his idols Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) and Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave), who don’t hold back when it comes to delivering a sincere and powerful performance.

As their latest single « Golden » shows, Iron Point’s backbone is Classic Rock. Anthony was fed on ZZ Top, Cream, Deep Purple, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and so on. When he was still a kid, his uncle dropped him a stash of CDs every Friday. This was a big part of Anthony’s rock n’ roll education along with the NOW compilation CDs that his father (who was a DJ in the ’80s) gave him. Oh, and Weird Al too. Whenever he released a new parody, Anthony traced the original song and discovered new bands to love. See, all roads lead to Rome. Unashamed, Anthony told us his backstory, with lots of tenderness for all the people that shaped his music tastes, even when he revealed to us his first concert ever was N’Sync. And it wasn’t a mistake. He actually saw them twice and loved it. Unashamed, there’s a lot of candor in the way he is and that’s refreshing.

Everything seems simpler around Anthony. He’s solar, positive, and ready to rock. Citing his friend Rebecca, Anthony tells us that « Rock N’ Roll is not dead, it’s just hangover ». It doesn’t need to be saved, it’s here, it might be snoring in a corner but with bands like Iron Point, but it’s ready to wake up and dance again any minute, unashamed.

Vincent Jacob

https://www.instagram.com/ironpoint

www.hangingonsunset.com

Alexa Dark has only two songs out but it was enough to make a lasting impression on us as she is somehow creating a bridge between Adele’s sophisticated pop music and Chris Isaac’s moody and anachronistic bluesy ambiances. But with « Blind Faith » and « Fate To Black And Blue », Alexa is also making a statement that goes beyond music. Both songs are accompanied by perfectly curated music videos that propose a powerful and haunting universe. Imagery, style, and music go hand in hand for Alexa and we’re happy she takes the time to carefully craft this 360 experience for us. Delicacy and intention don’t prevent raw emotions from surfacing through her prism. As a result, the fascinating and obscure world she paints for us seems to be only redeemed by beauty. This resonates with me a lot as I recently came to the conclusion that pain is somehow only tolerable if we find a way to transform it into art. Ultimately, I think that culture is that movement of putting something unbearable to a safe distance just to be able to look at it in the eyes.

« I'm drowning in a sea of static

I'm sleepless in a bed for two » - Blind Faith

« We sit at that bar

Jukebox doesn’t start

So I play a sad song in my head

I know you’re leaving soon

No curtain call for you

But I watch the credits roll again » - Fade to black and blue

Every word Alexa sings seems to be taken from the script of a French film noir but her narration style has more to do with a Lynchian dream. It’s seductive because it is elusive and the power of Alexa Dark lies in her ability to hide as much as she reveals. In a way, her music is an antidote to the frenzy of transparency that has taken onto the world. It’s also the perfect refuge from the contemporary summons of assigning people to frozen and closed identities. On the contrary, Alexa Dark diffuses herself in the shadows and navigates between the many unexplored regions of the soul. That might be because of her multicultural background. She’s of Spanish descent, was born in New York, and grew up in London. That’s where she discovered record stores, Françoise Hardy, and punk rock. That’s also where she first performed at age 13. The experience she gained performing at a young age and her exposure to a diverse world of many cultures has informed her art and vision.  As she said on the podcast, Alexa doesn’t want to be "stuck in one place, with one idea, one culture". That’s why she keeps moving and adding more layers to her perspective. Right now, she spends her time between New York and Los Angeles and we’re glad she stopped by our studio to share her vision, philosophy, and journey with us. Alexa Dark might be writing the soundtrack of a film noir, but it’s a kaleidoscopic and unpredictable score.

www.hangingonsunset.com

www.instagram.com/hangingonsunset.com

www.teamnowhere.org

What stroke us most about the vibrant young girl we met is how dedicated and passionate she is. Her last single might be called « Sad chick », but when it comes to talking about her journey and music, she opens up and glows.

Celeste is the brain and voice behind Talker and she’s been around for a while now. She got her first big break as a touring musician for the electro-pop band Frenship and she gained a lot of experience with them as they were playing legendary stages like Red Rocks, The Bowery Ballroom, Lollapalooza, and Outside Lands.

When she came back from the tour, she felt ready to develop her project and that’s when Talker was born. As she navigated her way through the Los Angeles indie scene, she played most of our exciting clubs, among them the Hi-Hat (RIP), the Bootleg Theater (RIP), the Moroccan Lounge, the Roxy, and the Echo, to name a few.

Talker is a hard worker, you just have to check the campaign she launched for her last single to realize how much heart and dedication she puts into her music. She released her single along with an illustrated fanzine, a live version, a beautiful music video, and a very creative Halloween campaign showcasing different iconic « Sad chick » looks (check her Insta). She might be the mind behind all of that but she knows how to be surrounded by people of great talent. Talking about talented people, the first time we heard about her was when we interviewed Anthony and Marshall from Teenage Wrist. When we asked them who they liked in the scene they mentioned Celeste.

She might not be as Rock as other acts we have covered but there is something raw and definitely authentic about her that we love. Maybe it’s the fact she allows herself to expose her vulnerability and uses it to create, plus she does it with humor. « Sad chick » is a good example so naturally we wanted to talk to her about mental health and how she dealt with it during the pandemic. Celeste found relief in her art, she worked with friend and producer Dan Sadin on her next record and together they gave birth to a beautiful pop opus tainted with alternative colors that you’ll soon get to hear. Meanwhile, stop by our podcast and discover this smart, fascinating and determined young woman.

The story of the band Lone Kodiak is intimately and painfully linked to the concept of survival. It all started in Portland, Oregon, where Daineal Parker and Daniel Alden (respectively Guitar/vocals and bass for Lone Kodiak) launched their first project together. The band was called Emberghost and was fronted by the talented Sarah Jennings. They made a name for themselves in the local scene, selling out landmarks like the Roseland and they even caught the attention of Sony executives who invited them to perform a showcase in New York. The fairy tales soon transformed into a nightmare when Sarah was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She passed away and the gang disbanded. Parker and Alden when separate ways for a while and everything could have stopped here. But Parker found a work opportunity in L.A. and decided to start a new musical chapter, here in the city of Angels.

That’s when I met him in 2011. I just landed in the US and I was also starting my new life and my own musical journey. Yard Of Blondes was very new and Fanny and I were testing our first songs at local cafes and open mics. We met Parker at the Unurban Cafe in Santa Monica. This was a memorable night for many reasons. The Unurban Cafe is really tiny and the performance room is about the size of my living room. I’m exaggerating a little bit but it’s just because I want you to understand how intimate it was. Because it was actually intimidating. Yet, a quirky ukulele singer/songwriter named Javelin did her best to loosen the palpable tension amongst the performers in the small room. She was hosting the night, telling jokes and she was performing really bad songs, which is important in our story because that’s how Parker, Fanny, and I bonded later that night. Yes, at her expense, because we’re mean people sometimes, sorry. I have a fond memory of that night because we met a friend, creating a beautiful memory that will endure a lifetime and because we also met a wonderful songwriter and singer. 

A few months after, Alden came to L.A. too and the pair decided to move forward together. They released a wonderful tribute to Sarah as Emberghost and then, then decided to write a new chapter as Hurry Death, which ultimately would become Lone Kodiak. Things looked great again until one day in 2018 when Alden got severely injured in a motorcycle accident. He didn’t know if he could ever play bass again but fortunately, he recovered, and here we are, 10 years later after we met Parker. Their newest songs Make It A Weapon, Tiny Muscles and Bones carry the same grace Parker had when I met him. Yet, I’d say his songwriting is expanding as their sound becomes bigger and heavier. Sadness and depression are now joined by anger as the world keeps shattering. The uncertainty of our times burdens Parker and the survival aspect of their music is palpable. Social injustice, political uncertainty, and climate catastrophe have joined the party. Art remains the best survival tool for Parker and he’s one of the few who will ease your own struggles when you’re listening to their music. We hope Lone Kodiak will keep gratifying us with their medicinal music for a long time.

When we had the opportunity to celebrate the one-year anniversary of this podcast / growing community, we didn’t hesitate. We had to have Lone Kodiak on board. Join us on November 9th at the Resident in DTLA for a night of music with Analog party and my band Yard Of Blondes. That’s a reunion I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

www.hangingonsunset.com

This episode is for our community of indie musicians out there. Very often we give the spotlight to musicians and artists but we vowed to create an inclusive community of EVERYONE involved in the daunting task of saving rock n' roll. Many of the actors of our growing community are on the other side of the stage and they have very useful insight regarding a musician's career. And it's also our goal to reach out to them and give them the mic so you can benefit from their knowledge. 

In the case of Fanny, she's on every side of the stage as she is also the bass player from the band Yard Of Blondes. Actually, it's the journey with her band that gradually directed her to the path of becoming a PR agent. After meeting many opportunities of frustration regarding the promo of her band (a few overpriced campaigns with no results to be clear...), she started to take the fate of her band into her own hands and decided to handle all promo tasks for the band herself. Years of learning and successes (plugging her band to more than 200 radio worldwide, countless blogs, playlists, getting press in Rolling Stone Magazine or Bass Magazine are some of her achievements) have attracted other bands and brands to her and that's how she naturally decided to launch her own PR agency. 

What is great about Fanny's journey is that she is still, to this day, an artist and that she knows all the struggles the indie community of musicians has to face on an everyday basis. She knows the industry and follows her evolution day by day with her band and she has to face the same questions indie musicians do. How do I get plugged into a great Spotify/Apple/Amazon/Deezer playlist? Should we release only singles now to maximize promotion? Fanny addresses these questions in this episode and many more. 

She's a firm believer that indie bands can achieve so much by themselves. That's why she created the Undercover band PR blog. On this blog, she gives her tips for free and her goal is to help the community to get self-sufficient when it comes to promo. Of course, many musicians don't have the time to do everything themselves and that's when you need a PR agent. If anything, Fanny shows there are people out there that can be part of the industry and still believe in the future of rock. That's reassuring. Also, she's very open and friendly so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding your project.

https://theundercoverband.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theundercoverpr/

[email protected]

www.yardofblondes.com

S8NT ELEKTRIC is a pretty young band yet, they're already playing festivals! It's crazy to think that they formed about 8 months ago and they already achieved so much on their own. Because, that's one of the keys to their early success, they like to do everything by themselves. They book their own warehouse shows, they record and mix their songs themselves, they do their artwork, manage their social networks, and so on. Quite impressive, yet quite necessary in this day and age. You need to be your own powerhouse if you're going to want to go somewhere in that business in 2021. And that's why we think, rock n' roll can still be a thing because when you're in your in a band, you're not alone... You have each other, you can rely on everybody else. Most of the time, people have various skills and you should take advantage of that, just like Brianna, Niko, Eric, London, and Jack do. Yes, the last decade was all about bedroom pop, rappers, and solitary productions because suddenly all you needed to record, mix and distribute yourself was available on your computer. But it was also a decade of everybody staging themselves for a permanent broadcast and it served individuals in comparison to bands. The mystery on which rock n' roll was relying was suddenly obsolete. Everything was about the Self, in a constant flow of auto-promotion. A sanitary and economic crisis later, people crave more authenticity and something organic. And that's why a band like S8NT ELEKTRIC has a chance to conquer the masses; they understand the history of rock n' roll but they are not nostalgic, they want to bring something new to the table and they can because they know how to navigate the digital world, ready to bend the rules: less "self", more "us", less superficiality, more authenticity. We're here witnessing the birth of a new generation of rockers that will be back on the top of the charts, that's my bet. Meanwhile, come with us to the Whisky a Gogo on October 24th to encourage them. 5 years from now, you'll thank us cause you'll be able to say: "I was at that show!".

Fernanda and Vincent have been around the LA alternative music scene for almost a decade yet they never felt it was a real community. They came to the US with the same dream of joining a vibrant community of artists but they soon realized the Laurel Canyon, Sunset Strip, and Fairfax High School days were long gone. Because talent is still brewing and because L.A. deserves another chapter in the music history books, we decided to help by giving a voice to a new generation of rock bands and connect them to the many fans & professionals that are hoping to see a new scene arise. Join the movement!

If you go out on the Sunset Strip, I'm sure you've crossed paths with Max Noce. Always dressed in black, he's likely to show up at the Sunset Marquis right before midnight. He might also be in the company of one of his friends, a rockstar likely. Yes, Max is friends with rockstars, but only because he's a rockstar himself, a styling rockstar. He was born in Milan, that's where he fell in love with rock n' roll, that's when he experienced his first tours at age 13 (!);  but he really started his career in Fashion in London, where Red Hot Chili Peppers convinced him to relocate to Los Angeles at the end of the 1990s. 

A flight and a PCH drive later, and there he was, finally home in the city of angels. He started working at Lord's, crafting custom pieces for musicians, quickly forging a reputation for himself as one of the greatest clothing sculptors of the town. But what he really did was none other than helping those musicians craft their image and identity, something very important for an artist. After opening his first store with a friend he branched on solo and had his own shop/gallery/after-hours party club on the Sunset Strip for a while before closing it because, well, ... he needed to stay alive! Drained by his lifestyle, Max stepped aside a little bit and came back stronger. Nowadays, he keeps working in Hollywood and he has managed to create his own legend, being responsible for some of the most iconic looks of rockstars like Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Duff McKagan (Guns n' Roses), but also actors like Mickey Rourke, just to name a few.

It was a great opportunity for us to talk to a witness of the last glorious days of LA at the end of the '90s and see what he thinks of today's scene. He wasn't shy and he told us many amazing stories about legends such as Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Julian Lennon, and even French legend Johnny Hallyday. For us, it was also the opportunity to talk about image, a very important component of today's digitalized communication. Do rockers know what to do in today's digital world? How can they maintain mystery and style in the day of constant broadcasting of our private lives? Max might not have all the answers but he sure knows about style and the essence of the Strip: Sex, Drugs, and Rock N' Roll, we're definitely hanging on Sunset in his company. 

Vincent

Fernanda and Vincent have been around the LA alternative music scene for almost a decade yet they never felt it was a real community. They came to the US with the same dream of joining a vibrant community of artists but they soon realized the Laurel Canyon, Sunset Strip, and Fairfax High School days were long gone. Because talent is still brewing and because L.A. deserves another chapter in the music history books, we decided to help by giving a voice to a new generation of rock bands and connect them to the many fans & professionals that are hoping to see a new scene arise. Join the movement!

Before we met Brinley, I came across her Instagram account thanks to the almighty algorithm gods and I was intrigued by this young woman shredding old-time classic rock riffs on her Gibson. She was sharing reels of herself performing her favorite riffs from Led Zepplin or Aerosmith and I thought to myself "what the hell is happening? Is there a niche for everything now?" Well, I suppose, and the good news is that a 20 something-year-old girl can build a solid fan base with her axe, throwing leads to the faces of youngsters who were born in the Justin Bieber era. But then I wondered: "Maybe I'm the target audience for that, maybe her reels are reaching out to old dudes missing the golden era of rock n' roll, maybe it's pure nostalgia for the boomers who have made their way to the world of the internet". I needed to find out! 

So when Fernanda brought Brinley into the conversation, it was obvious she should be a guest on our show. Fernanda knew her, she met her at one of those Sunset Marquis nights on a Saturday night. Next thing you know, Brinley is with us in the studio. She's a vibrant girl, she has a loud laugh and she's very confident when it comes to her style of music and clothes. There's no way somebody could make her derive from her path to glory in the realm of classic rock. To her, there's no hesitation; Rock n' roll might not be the mainstream trend right now, but that's what she loves, so bear with it. She's going to keep rocking whatever happens. And you know what? Other young people find inspiration in her, that's the real beauty of it. She receives tons of messages from girls around the world who want to be playing the guitar just like her, girls her age or even younger. Gen Z didn't have a guitar hero yet. They might have found their guitar heroine. 

Of course, one question remains. Can you only be an Instagram Guitar player? Yes, it is enough to attract prestigious brands (Brinley is endorsed by Gibson), but is it enough to build a sustaining carrier as a rock star? Well, Brinley is too smart to avoid the question. And she will admit that Instagram is a very great tool to build awareness around her art, but this is not her main goal. Because ultimately she dreams of touring with her band around the world and be on stage every night. She dreams of shredding her Gibson in front of her fans just like Joe Perry or Jimmy Page. Maybe one day she'll have her own Roller Coaster, like Aerosmith. There's one thing for sure, we're already on board.

Vincent

Fernanda and Vincent have been around the LA alternative music scene for almost a decade yet they never felt it was a real community. They came to the US with the same dream of joining a vibrant community of artists but they soon realized the Laurel Canyon, Sunset Strip, and Fairfax High School days were long gone. Because talent is still brewing and because L.A. deserves another chapter in the music history books, we decided to help by giving a voice to a new generation of rock bands and connect them to the many fans & professionals that are hoping to see a new scene arise. Join the movement!

At the heart of Fox Violet's art, there's truth, honesty, and sincerity. Thea aka Fox Violet won't compromise and that's why her music is so important. It's a living testimony that an artist does not need to bow to the market or trends to be relevant. Fox Violet shows us the only way to be relevant is not to be streamed a million times but to propose something that is unique, singular, something that comes directly from someone's guts. And Thea's music resembles her character by being unapologetic yet soothing. Her music is gritty yet it wraps you in layers of dreamy guitars. And Thea might sound very nice yet you know when you talk to her that she won't oblige to anyone but her own artistic vision. And that is refreshing!

Together, we're starting a conversation about saving Rock N' Roll in the City of Angels. Casually talking from the Sunset Strip, we are launching a movement with our collective called Team Nowhere and we are calling artists & fans to unite. If you are in a band, or if you're a photographer, a developer, a hairstylist, whatever your craft... In other words, if you really want to help to put Rock music back on the map for the ten upcoming years... well let's build a community together, and let's plan concrete actions to make a positive shift in our industry. Rock isn't dead, the Sunset strip isn't dead. But only if we want it! #Teamnowhere #Hangingonsunset @team_nowhere @hangingonsunset @nowhere_team_us

Mike was a busy drummer before the pandemic. Touring the world with Death By Stereo or the legendary Adolescents, he was barely home so when the all virus thing happened he had to learn to stay home for a while. But Mike is not gonna let a pandemic shutting his creativity down and that's why he started another venture with his friends from Zebrahead and together they made a new supergroup: Fear No Empire, produced by none other than Paul Miner, which we had the pleasure to have on the show in December. Also, when he's not busy drumming, Mike is running a really cool clothing brand promoting his punk values. Learn to forget, that's the name of his brand, has some of the coolest shirts so if you need a new outfit for the summer, look no further. What we liked about Mike is that he's straightforward and speaks his mind. It's all being true to yourself and doing the right thing for yourself and your community. It doesn't mean you can't be open to new directions and new experiences, on the contrary. He comes from the punk scene of the OC and that's where he became who he is now but that's also why he's allowing himself to conduct new challenges with the same passion every time. 

Together, we're starting a conversation about saving Rock N' Roll in the City of Angels. Casually talking from the Sunset Strip, we are launching a movement with our collective called Team Nowhere and we are calling artists & fans to unite. If you are in a band, or if you're a photographer, a developer, a hairstylist, whatever your craft... In other words, if you really want to help to put Rock music back on the map for the ten upcoming years... well let's build a community together, and let's plan concrete actions to make a positive shift in our industry. Rock isn't dead, the Sunset strip isn't dead. But only if we want it! #Teamnowhere #Hangingonsunset @team_nowhere @hangingonsunset