Movies

They once thought playing Coachella was ‘unattainable’ and ‘legendary.’ Now these SoCal musicians prepare to take its stage

BBG News

Numerous factors contribute to Southern California’s reputation as a nurturing hub for upcoming musicians. Perhaps it’s due to its close ties with Hollywood and significant record companies, or perhaps it’s simply the unique characteristics of the area that inspire creativity – some might even say it’s magical, like there really is something special in the water!

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the magical places where music legends were born and nurtured. From Fairfax High School, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers first crossed paths, to Compton, where N.W.A put their city on hip-hop’s map, paving the way for none other than Kendrick Lamar himself. The story of No Doubt, with Gwen Stefani at the helm, unfolded within a Dairy Queen in Orange County. And the journey of Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas began right inside their Highland Park home. The list goes on, reminding us that the power of music lies not only in its notes but also in the unique stories behind each artist’s humble beginnings.

Each April, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival showcases a diverse array of global talent to an audience nearing 250,000. Spanning two successive weekends, festival-goers donning their best attire flock to the open field for dancing, guarding their barricade position during the night’s main act, and potentially uncovering their next favorite musical sensation. Despite its global reputation, the lineup often features several local artists annually.

The Times interviewed a group of musicians hailing from Southern California – rappers Shoreline Mafia, electro-punk duo Kumo 99, nu-gaze trio Julie, and garage rock band Together Pangea – as they prepare for their upcoming three-day desert festival.

Kumo 99 is fulfilling their ’cool kid’ dreams

Previously, Ami Komai, who’s half of the electronic-punk duo Kumo 99, considered Coachella as a place where popular kids would gather. As she grew up in the areas of San Pedro and Silver Lake, her mother never allowed her to attend the festival during her teenage years. However, this year, along with bandmate Nate Donmoyer, Kumo 99 will not just be part of the crowd; they’ll be performing on stage.

Donmoyer expressed that the festival was so grand, it seemed almost out of reach. It’s located far off, picturesque, and feels like an entirely different world. In my past, I’ve attended concerts in parking lots and similar festivals. I can hardly imagine the experience on a golf course with these massive, shining stages, but it always appeared enjoyable to me.

Formed in 2020, Kumo 99 blends the raw intensity of hardcore music with the avant-garde vibe of a rave. Komai contributes the vocals, often singing in Japanese, while Donmoyer is responsible for their high-speed breakbeats and thumping drums. On the popular track “Four Point Steel Star,” they create a gritty, futuristic soundscape. Their 2022 release focuses on an industrial-style synth, punctuated by occasional, otherworldly sounds, all while Komai enthusiastically provides background vocals. They claim that their music is sometimes influenced by the sounds of their upbringing, without even realizing it – citing L.A.’s unique rhythm as an unintended source of inspiration.

Komai shared that San Pedro, where she grew up, has a rich musical history, and she was fortunate enough to have lived among her idols during her youth. She mentions Mike Watt from Minutemen and Keith Morris of Black Flag as local icons. She describes them as both hilarious and cranky. Everything she admired seemed incredibly local to her at the time, so it wasn’t until later in life that she fully appreciated how fortunate she was to have grown up where she did.

Raised in Washington D.C., Donmoyer describes his childhood neighborhood as having a comparable ambiance. He affectionately recalls the vibrancy of every community center hosting events, as well as homemade CD-R recordings capturing the music from backyards and makeshift bands.

Apart from their own performance at the festival, they’re keen on watching performances by The Prodigy and Blonde Redhead. However, what they’re really looking forward to is getting a ride in a golf cart.

Komai mentioned, “At times, participating in a festival can seem akin to being part of a traveling circus act. There’s an ‘arrival in town’ sensation about it. It’s also like attending a massive summer camp where you get to catch up with old friends you haven’t seen for a while.

Freshly reunited, Shoreline Mafia is holding out for history

Shoreline Mafia is back on the scene and gearing up for a showstopping performance at Coachella. This rowdy East Hollywood hip-hop collective played significant roles in L.A.’s rap movement during the late 2010s. Their catchy tracks like “Musty” and “Nun Major’s” understated bravado helped redefine West Coast rap with its danceable trap rhythms. After releasing numerous mixtapes and an album, the quartet took a break in 2020.

In 2024, “Heat Stick” was played on the radio under the name Shoreline Mafia. The song, driven by a haunting beat, takes listeners back to their sexually charged and party-filled lifestyle through its explicit lyrics. OhGeesy and Fenix Flexin are at the helm of this new era for Shoreline Mafia, which sees the original members carrying on what they began in 2016.

During our time apart, Fenix Flexin had an opportunity to mature and discover more about themselves. They learned how to work independently, which ultimately strengthens their teamwork. Now that they’re back in the studio as a duo, it’s like everything falls into place smoothly. Each of them has grown and developed individually, making collaborating on music effortless and 10 times more effective.

They claim that their latest sound has a unique yet familiar feel, with enhanced rhythm patterns and advanced rhyme structures. OhGeesy attributes this transformation to a newfound maturity. Excited to observe how their fresh tunes play out in live concerts, the duo views their upcoming Coachella performance as an opportunity to etch their name in history.

As a first-timer at Coachella, I’m beyond thrilled to not only attend but perform at this iconic festival. It’s long been the talk of the town, an event everyone covets tickets for, and it carries a prestige that’s hard to match. To be a part of it, standing on its hallowed grounds, is nothing short of mind-blowing.

Fenix Flexin expressed, “I hold great anticipation and optimism for the overall show, mainly because it’s been quite some time since we’ve debuted a new performance and released an album. It should be among the finest shows we’ve ever delivered throughout our career.

Instead of just rocking the desert with their lively performances and boisterous tunes, they view their gig as an opportunity to pay tribute to their city and solidify Shoreline Mafia’s place as a mainstay in Los Angeles hip-hop culture.

OhGeesy shared, “Every corner of the city inspires us. Growing up, we spent time with gang members, skaters, punk rock musicians, and graffiti artists. Absolutely, we absorbed a bit of everything there. Los Angeles is where our journey began; it’s where we formed connections, and everything else that followed was a natural progression.

Born out of Santa Clarita, Together Pangea is more than ready for Indio

As a devoted fan, I’m instantly whisked back to a Ticketmaster nestled within a JC Penney store when I recall Coachella. It was here in 2005 where my mother acquired my very first ticket for this magical festival. That year, Coldplay and Nine Inch Nails took the headlining spots, but what truly sent my heart racing was the prospect of seeing the Locusts perform live.

When I was just a teenager, not yet 17, I had an experience that turned out to be quite significant,” shared Bengston. “That moment sparked something within me; it made me realize I wanted to pursue music, and someday, I aspired to play at Coachella.

Since 2008, Pangea, comprising Bengston on vocals and guitar, William Keegan, and Erik Jimenez on drums, have been a band. However, they acknowledge that they didn’t fully commit to their music until 2013. They refer to California Institute of the Arts as their ‘nurturing environment’, and they attribute Santa Clarita’s DIY, underground punk scene for providing them an initial foothold in the world of music.

In places like Santa Clarita, which is a conservative suburb, there isn’t much room for play due to the lack of available spaces. Since Los Angeles is about a 45-minute drive away, individuals are compelled to devise ways to perform and create their own community and environment using the limited resources at hand. This situation also encourages one to work a bit harder, according to Keegan.

After departing from their small, traditional town, they swiftly adapted to life in Los Angeles and quickly discovered vibrant music scenes. They began exploring various art galleries and social events before eventually settling at downtown’s the Smell and Echo Park’s the Echo. During this phase, they claim that they discovered their unique sound organically. Having been a band for almost two decades, these garage surf rockers infuse a West Coast flavor into their DIY punk origins. Their musical style can vary widely, from relaxed, upbeat acoustics to intense vocals accompanied by powerful electric guitar chords.

The three-piece band intends to approach their Coachella performance as if it were just another regular gig, yet they express gratitude for the chance to perform now, since they’re a bit older and find the experience more meaningful.

At events such as this festival, you’ll find a broader audience and a larger platform for performance, both symbolically and literally, stated Bengston. However, it’s important to note that there’s a timer on the stage’s edge which isn’t present during your own headlining show. Therefore, you must ensure you don’t spend too much time indulging in unnecessary activities.

Julie plans to ‘play hard’ and keep it simple

At one time, the shoegaze band Julie from Orange County felt quite apprehensive about performing at music festivals. The swift tempo of a brief daytime set can pose difficulties, but drummer Dillon Lee revealed they conquered their anxiety by employing “desensitization technique”.

Alexandria Elizabeth described the festival performances as being like quick mini-games. There’s barely a moment to pause before you’re on stage, playing at high speed – it’s thrilling – and then you dash off,” she shared.

In 2020, the musical group made up of Lee, Elizabeth, and Keyan Pourzand, who is both a vocalist and guitar player, debuted their first single titled “Flutter.” This song embodies an intense, grandiose interpretation of the shoegaze genre, bearing resemblance to My Bloody Valentine’s style.

Initially, when these young musicians met up, their thoughts primarily revolved around immediate ambitions. Pourzand aspired to perform at one concert, while Elizabeth aimed to establish herself as a consistent performer within their local underground music community. They frequently spent their weekends exploring various house shows, small warehouses, and even eateries in the neighborhood that hosted punk and surf rock events. Elizabeth likened the crowd to a frenzied mass of people sporting cropped tops and raw-hemmed Dickies at these performances.

To this day, Lee finds it challenging to fully grasp that they’ll be performing at Coachella. He explains, “It doesn’t elude me, but it hasn’t seeped in yet. I don’t believe it will feel real until the event actually takes place.” His initial recollection of the festival is watching a video of Deadmau5’s performance with his mom, who was envious she wasn’t there. Elizabeth chuckles as she shares her early impressions of Coachella, which revolve around the Jenner sisters, floral headbands, and YouTube beauty influencers.

Lee mentioned that they’re aiming for a great performance at the Sonora tent set. They prefer not to have excessive anticipations prior to the event as they believe it can lead to disappointment on occasion.

Elizabeth remarked, “I’ll simply turn up and give it my all. I’m eager to witness the audience’s response since festival crowds are much more laid-back compared to solo performances. At times, our fans get carried away and mosh along, but that really depends on the location. Regardless, I’m looking forward to putting on a great show with my friends.

Coachella 2025 is set to take place April 11 to 13 and April 18 to 20.

Read More

2025-04-06 13:31

Previous post Top gainers and losers
Next post John Cena’s “perfect” cancelled Looney Tunes movie is finally getting a worldwide release