An interview with California Alt-Grunge Band Dem Bones (questions and visuals by Molly Alexander)

I spoke with Gavin Valladares, the drummer of Dem Bones, about the group’s creative influences, redefining their band identity and curating a one of a kind concert experience.

MOLLY ALEXANDER: You mentioned that 3 of the 4 members of Dem Bones used to be in the band Running On Empty. How has this previous experience influenced your current sound and values?

GAVIN: Our previous experience influenced our new sound and values because we love energy. Our energy is infectious and translates through our crowds at shows. We enjoy playing more upbeat type songs, and there's a few songs that we very quickly learned will always be a great song to cover such as “Bulls On Parade.”

Your music is reminiscent of both 90s grunge and early punk. Who are your biggest musical influences and what inspires your band outside of the music world?

Biggest Influences: Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, RHCP, Smashing Pumpkins, and Foo Fighters. 

Our influences outside of the music world tend to be artists. For Gavin, he loves artists like Basquiat and Chihuly. 

Live performances are a big part of your band identity. What is your favorite song to perform and what is something you'd like your fans to take away from your shows?

Our favorite song to perform might have to be “Bulls On Parade” and we want all fans to take away a sense of family and a fun night every time they come to a show. 

(photos from @cristinacasa)

How has your view of music and performance presence shifted since your first concert?

After our first concerts, we were all suddenly aware that there was so much more than just recording and releasing a song. For some bands, the live element is the most important part.

Any crazy performance stories?

At our last show, we had a huge showing specifically for our set and were playing under a little terrace. I'm not sure what song it happened during but a huge mosh pit erupted and there were other people hanging from the terrace while we played. That was crazy. 

What makes up a typical songwriting session? What comes first, the lyrics or the core instrumentals?

Usually one of us will develop a song on our own and bring it to practice, then each person adds their little nuances and the song slowly but surely takes shape.

Lyrically, what themes and thoughts are you typically drawn to?

Lyrically, we like to examine the thoughts inside of all minds and why people think certain things. Other than that, we write about past or current personal experiences. 

Online music streaming sites are highly saturated with an abundance of musicians trying to make their break. How have you distinguished you band apart from other DIY Alt grunge groups?

 We have a passion and energy that combines itself with all of our friends coming to shows to create an awesome environment. Our shows have a super friendly environment where everyone is friends until they're in the pit.

What do u see for the future of DIY music? How can bands thrive in an increasingly produced industry?

DIY bands have to stick together and support one another. That's why we make it such a specific part of our goal to build a community around music. A community is the band, the fans, and anyone who wants to be involved in one big music family. 

What's next for Dem Bones? Any upcoming shows or music fans can look out for?

We are playing a big art collective/swap meet type event on July 12 and playing a festival on July 19. We are looking to release a single soon and then a full length album!

Follow @dembonesband to stay up to date with future shows and song releases.

Lala Lala @ Big Bar Room by Tricia Stansberry

I saw Lala Lala for the first time in winter of 2017 when they opened for Cherry Glazerr. I had never heard of them before, had never listened to any of their music. Regardless, their music blew me away, and I was in love as soon as I heard them perform a cover of together PANGEA’s “Night of the Living Dummy.” Lillie West’s soft voice and emotional lyrics instantly drew me in and I went home that night and started to listen to Sleepyhead.

Lala Lala’s second album The Lamb came out in 2018 and was praised upon its release for the intimacy of West’s lyrics, as well as the musicianship put forth by the band. Personally, The Lamb was one of my favorite albums of last year, and it became the soundtrack to my winter.

I was excited to be able to see Lala Lala again earlier in June, as they made a stop at Big Room Bar in Columbus. A small, intimate venue with lovely lights and ambience, Big Room Bar proved to be a great venue for Lala Lala to perform their succinct yet comprehensive set. Playing most of the songs off The Lamb, including stand outs “I Get Cut” and “Water Over Sex,” I was blown away by Lille’s stage presence and the way she brings in the audience with the emotional aspect of her lyrics. Ending the evening with a stand out performance of “Destroyer,” Lala Lala definitely put on a set that I will not soon forget. Lillie joked at the beginning of the night that if they hadn’t had a successful set at Big Room Bar that they’d never return to Columbus again. Fortunately, I don’t think that will be of concern. Lala Lala’s set at Big Room Bar was one of the best shows I’ve been to this year, and I am excited to see the future of this band.

Follow Tricia on Instagram to see more of her work.

"Bleach" Video Premiere (+ Tour Announcement!) from The Aquadolls

If you’re in desperate need of some new bangers, look no further. Comprised of lead singer Melissa, Jackie on the drums, Kate on guitar, and Keilah on keyboard and bass, The Aquadolls are a California-based, self-proclaimed psychedelic surf-punk girl band whose music is fitting for every occasion. Right now, they’re releasing their new music video for the song "Bleach," which can guarantee some headbanging and even a guest appearance by Coldhart!

"Bleach" is completely propelled by angst. It’s the ninth track on their 2018 album The Dream and the Deception and Melissa describes it as “the turning point in the album where it shifts into the deception segment, where love is lost and the first reaction to this loss is anger. This song represents the pains of heartbreak, when all you wanna do is hurt back the person who hurt you worse.” You can feel this intensely through the steady but forceful drum beats and the unequivocally raw vocals. Not to mention the fun, vengeful lyrics. Melissa continues by saying “The chain in the music video, also pictured on the album cover, represents how I was bound by someone holding my true self back, and now that I am free from them, take the chains and tangle them up in the mess they started, forcing them to suffer a little bit of the pain I felt. Now while I would not recommend anyone chain their ex’s to a chair and pour bleach on them, this is a dramatization of a dream I once had on getting my revenge. Once again, do not try this at home!!! Only in your head. Maybe.”

As for the experience behind making the video, it sounds like a truly amazing time. Jackie said she loved sitting as their fans skated around the band in Little Tokyo. I was ecstatic to hear that during The Aquadolls’ live soundchecks, Jackie likes to yell her favourite line from "Bleach": “with a blow torch instead!” into the microphone repeatedly. Kate enjoyed holding some pretty symbolic candles during the shoot - they drip red, as though bleeding, “representing the bloody mess a heartbreak can leave you in” she says. Keilah was admittedly freezing in her crop top, but served some serious looks throughout. This was a monumental experience for the band as this was the first music video they all shot together.

But wait! There’s more! The band will be embarking on their Cali Aquababe tour, playing Warped Tour at Mountain View, as well as headlining in Sacramento, Fresno, and their first show in Bakersfield. Those of you fortunate enough to live in the area, go go go! They’ll be playing some classics, songs from their latest album, a new song or two, and a couple covers.

Jul 18 - Temblor - Bakersfield, CA
Jul 20 - Vans Warped Tour - Mountain View, CA
Jul 21 - Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA
Jul 22 - Strummer's - Fresno, CA
Jul 28 - Belly Up Tavern - Solanda Beach, CA (21+)

Tickets just went on sale yesterday morning at the-aquadolls.com/tour!

Words by Saffron Maeve + Visuals by Molly Alexander


We are thrilled and honored to be able to share with you a brand new music video for the Aquadolls' track "Bleach," shot + edited by dashymedia. Watch the video below and then keep scrolling to read an exclusive interview with The Aquadolls by Molly Alexander!



DISSOLVING FILM: Who or What inspired the visuals in your latest music video for "Bleach"? (any films, artists, things outside the music world, etc.)

JACKIE PROCTOR (Drums): I feel like it’s inspired by fucked up boys taking advantage of relationships and girls being like hell no bye bitch!

MELISSA BROOKS (Vocals and guitar): I was really inspired by red and black for this song and feel those colors represent the bloody nightmare heartbreak can be. As far as visual inspiration goes, I really love the scene in Texas Chainsaw Massacre where the main girl Sally is tied to a chair and how every one was taunting her, and I wanted to reverse the roles and situation in the video. Instead of chainsaws, pour bleach on your ex??? Also, I would never condone anyone to do such a thing, but this was definitely inspired by horror movies and how bad I wanted to get even with people of my past relationships.

What is your favorite song to perform and what would you like fans to take away from your shows?

KATE ROSE (Guitar): My favorite song to play is “Runaway” because it totally opens up the pit. It’s super punk rock and changes the mood from our other love songs. I hope our fans take away that
1. Girls can do anything
2. Our show is a safe space for everyone
3. We love you!!

JACKIE: My favorite song to perform live is “sick sad motherfuck” because it’s fast aggressive and gets out my emotions without me ever having to say them in words.

KEILAH NINA (Keyboard and Bass): I would say my favorite song to play live would be “Runaway”! It’s one of the first songs I got to learn on bass other than “Wander.” I really really love how it sounds all together and how the bass really made the song sound super full! It’s a real crowd pleaser and gets people head banging. I also really like playing the new song live! We don’t really have a name for it yet and haven’t played it at too many shows BUT it’s so so fun and raw. I’m so certain it’s going to turn into a crowd pleaser once we record, release, and start playing it live more!! <3

MELISSA: I love playing “Runaway (The Jam)” live! I love when the bass and guitars harmonize in the second breakdown, and then I get to put my guitar down and get everyone to clap and party with us!! It always gets the pit going. I also love singing “communicationissexy/idkhow2communicate” with the band because everyone sings together and Jackie made up some lines in between lyrics that aren’t on the recording. It’s fun to jam new ideas and try things differently live!! We also make the chorus heavier on “communication” and it’s always so surreal to see people singing along with us in the audience! The OG songs always get down live as well, like “Wander” and “Our Love Will Always Remain.” We’re going to throw in some older songs on this tour too, so I’m super excited to see how show goers react! Never be afraid to be a bad bitch and be unapologetically YOU. Much love and can’t wait to see you on tour!!

Interview by Molly Alexander

Hippo Campus @ House of Blues by Malena Lloyd

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"Be The Cowboy: Mitski’s Sold-Out Show at the Columbus Athenaeum" by Tricia Stansberry

On a cold, rainy Saturday night I ventured downtown to catch Mitski’s sold-out show at the Columbus Athenaeum, a building that’s been around for over a century and also doubles as a wedding venue. I was immediately blown away by the sheer number of people who had been waiting in the rain for hours before doors opened. The camaraderie amongst these individuals warmed my heart, with people recounting past times they’ve seen Mitski and listing off their favorite songs. While we waited in the pit for Mitski to come out, there was a growing energy in the venue as every square inch of the large venue became occupied. I had never seen Mitski before so when I saw a table and chair being brought out as the stage was being prepared, I was curious how these elements would play a role in her set.

As Mistki walked slowly onto the stage, she began singing “There's nobody better than you / it took me a while till I knew,” and the crowd erupted as people began to sing along to “Goodbye, My Danish Sweetheart,” the opening track from her 2013 album Retired from Sad, New Career in Business. Mitski took a seat at the table and began a passionate rendition of “Why Didn’t You Stop Me?” off of her beloved 2018 record Be The Cowboy. As she continued with tracks such as “Old Friend,” “Dan the Dancer,” and “I Don’t Smoke,” Mitski climbed atop the table and utilized this furniture in ways that can only be described as performance art. The energy in the crowd during favorites like “Geyser” was palpable. During “Nobody,” such a beautiful, melancholic feeling infiltrated the crowd as she sang “I know no one will save me / I'm just asking for a kiss / Give me one good movie kiss / and I'll be alright.” The lights grew blue as the crowd repeated every “nobody” back to her. It was a really beautiful moment and I’m glad I was there to witness it.

Mitski’s set at the Athenaeum was a longer one, much to my delight as well as everyone else around me. She treated us to a two-song encore. The first being “Two Slow Dancers,” which begins with the line “does it smell like a school gymnasium in here?,” to which Mitski gave a knowing smile as this auditorium built in 1896 really did smell like an old gymnasium! Everyone in the crowd laughed and enjoyed the last moments of this incredible set. The last song she performed was “Carry Me Out,” which was incidentally the last song I listened to before I arrived to the venue, as the lyrics “I drive when it rains / at night when it rains I drive / and the headlight spirits / they lead me down the styx” felt appropriate in the rainy, gloomy weather. When the set was over and I looked behind me to everyone else in the packed theater, I was blown away with the sheer number of people who fit into this old theater. But I was not surprised, because Mitski put on one of the absolute best shows I’ve ever been to.

Follow Tricia on Instagram to see more of her work.