The Beats Bullhorn

Episode 4: JUST A BIG SOFTIE (FKA BECK PETE)

Join host Erica Andreozzi (@beatsthatsetmypulse) & co-host Greg Settino (@gregsettino) for a chat with Rebecca Peters -@justabigsoftie (FKA Beck Pete) – to discuss life during the pandemic and the silver linings discovered throughout. We’ll learn about how we first met (thanks to Michelle Young of ROVE) and how Beck first integrated herself into the LA music scene after moving from Sacramento over 5 yrs ago. We’ll touch on her love for vulnerability and honesty (which pairs quite well with her IG name) and her perspective that it’s more than OK to speak about tragedies that have broken you. She explains how the loss of her father has influenced her music and inspired songs like, ‘‘Me, Denial, and Space’ (which she wrote in his bathtub after his funeral). We’ll discuss how the support from other LA musicians who’ve also lost loved ones has helped her navigate intense grief (aka “big feels”) and how she often breaks down in tears knowing that strangers will likely be mean to these people, not knowing what they have been through. We’ll also touch on Beck’s preference for letting go of rehearsed movement and vomiting out on stage whatever primal, raw emotion she feels. Beck will elaborate on the choreography direction for her next music video and the significance of Lake Tahoe as a muse for helping her finish her next album. I can’t WAIT for this album and for the release of its first single, ‘Big Mouth’ (which I luckily got to hear Beck play at The Hotel Café in July). Beck is one of my favorite female artists and the LA music scene is incredibly lucky to have her.   Other topics in the podcast include: spine-tingling vomit, flicking people off that the grocery store, slivering around in a silver suit, claw hands, modern dance, music video choreography, Tahoe sunsets, learning to love yourself, “I’m having a bum day, so here’s my  bum." :P

Episode 3: ESEMAE

Join host Erica Andreozzi (@beatsthatsetmypulse) for a chat with her good friend Sarah Agajanian (@esemae_music) during the pandemic.  I've been in awe of this music maker, soul shaker, and ultimate creator, ever since I saw her play at @echoparkrising in August 2018. Her rich, raspy voice – reminiscent of @catpowerofficial , @feistmusic , @stevienicks , Janis Joplin, and @nataliemerchant – howled hard over the calming cadence of her keys, hitting me like a brick wall. “Here to serve beauty and light to the world through creative expression,” Sarah creates art in multiple dimensions, spreading her service as a musician (pop/rock/soul/jazz/trip-hop), a painter (psychedelic/abstract @esemaeart), and an eyebrow/ makeup artist (@rock_n_brows). Her (he)art is powerful, vibrant, and intense, just like her spirit. Sarah’s recent release, ‘Uncertain Times' (written/recorded with @caliclevemusic) is all about finding beauty in chaos and recognizing that “There will be an end, if you’ll be so kind” and “if you keep peace in mind.” What’s eerie is that Sarah wrote this banger 4 years ago, yet the lyrics are almost TOO PERFECT for the “uncertain times” coinciding with this year’s global pandemic: “There’s no escape, just a place inside (as per COVID-19 protocol!)” She promises us that “one day we’ll play,” and encourages us to have “more love more love more love right now.” In another unreleased banger called ‘Motivate,’ Sarah encourages us to “rise to the occasion, (cause) there's enough strength going round,” and reminds us that “greatness is born through the perils of pain.” She summons the “maker,” “creator,” and “soul-shaker” in us all, inspiring us to “wake up, do what you love, even if gotta let go of all the weight that holds you back.” When you “Awaken the Tribe” (another unreleased banger) and “Motivate,” even during “Uncertain Times,” ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Episode 2: SLUGS

Join host Erica Andreozzi (@beatsthatsetmypulse) & co-host Jason Gudasz (@jasongudasz) for a chat with Marissa, Sarsten, and @joshbeavz of @slugslyfe to discuss life during the pandemic and the silver linings discovered throughout. We’ll learn about how the pandemic encouraged these indie-rockers to be more intentional and strategic with the songs on their upcoming album. ‘Super Sane’ (a song about a weird year), was intentionally released in Dec 2020 since “the years were (clearly) not getting any weirder.” ‘I Could Do Better’ was released in March 2021 as a means to reflect the highs/lows of a sobriety journey triggered by the intense self-introspection of the pandemic. We’ll get the skinny on the origins of SLUGS and on the additional bands that Marissa and Sartsen lead: @rivalcavves and @surprise_baby_. We’ll also learn about SLUGS’ diehard decoration efforts during their Candy/Blood/Magic/Sports-themed residency at @theechola in Aug 2018. We’ll even dig up details on the making of Rival Cavve’s ‘Flower Bud’ music video, being sure to identify the special videography tricks that Josh used to make it look so damn cool. Most importantly, SLUGS shares some eye-opening facts about each other that most fans don't know: Why the name SLUGS? Who has a secret sport fantasy? Who knows how to sail? Who is learning to play the guzheng? Whose favorite band is @rubblebucket ? Other topics include: @groundworkcoffee in Hollywood, “Fastest harmoner in town”, @laurenruthward as your cheerleader, smashing pinatas and moving monitors, @ramondahammer ’s epic Halloween maze at @thehihatla , emotional hits, Sartsten’s head banging habit, Patti Smith, Jason in orbit, @grouplove 's bassist, Sarsten’s Montana gait, singing infatuation backwards, fat middle finger injury, @stevevaihimself , a question only @paulmccartney can answer, new-normal preshow rituals, the Great Wall of China, “Destroy reality”, “It is what it is” bumper sticker, bonding in free fall, @houseofintuition run-ins, echo park tacos, mid-city burritos, gin & tonics and pentatonics, & word banks.  1-2: @allthingsblue #slugstheband #musicpodcast #lamusicscene #podcast Into/Outro music: Composed, produced, performed, and engineered by Toby Karlin and Greg Settino. Vocals by Sarah Agajanian. Podcast graphic designed by Amanda Shames.

Episode 1: BROKEN BABY

Join host Erica Andreozzi (@beatsthatsetmypulse) & co-host Sarah Agajanian (@esemae_music) for a chat with talented punk-rockers, Amber Dollinger & Alex Dezen of Broken Baby (@brokenbabybaby), to discuss life during the pandemic and the silver linings discovered throughout. We’ll hear about the new bangers (‘Manic Panic’, ‘Ctr-Alt-Delete’) they recorded/released in 2020, as well as the collaborations they started with fellow label mates (Poor Man Records). We’ll get the skinny on how Amber and Alex first met and why they decided to become a band and start their own label. We’ll also learn about their life prior to Broken Baby and the previous jobs that armed them with special superpowers. We’ll even discuss their writing process and their commitment to addressing provocative topics like misogyny and bigotry that most bands wouldn’t go near with a 10ft pole (we love them for that). Fully respecting the power of the microphone and the stage ('It's My Show!'), they often push crowd members beyond their comfort zone (for their own good). They also respect the immense talent w/in the LA music scene and advocate against bands trying compete for the spotlight: “There is no spot, it is just light.” They share their vision for a new & improved post-COVID-19 music scene that is more inclusive and features more comprehensive, eclectic line-ups. Most importantly, they share some eye-opening facts about each other that most fans don’t know: Who was a child actor on Broadway? Who was inducted into their high school hall of fame? Other topics include: Setting a 5”9’ high jump record, Brett Cavanagh’s 5 F’s, late stage capitalism, Echo Park Rising, Gary (@lamusicscene_ ) in the back of the tour van, Amber’s epic shirt slogans (“FUCK ON”, “Everything Sucks”), Jack White/Jack Johnson/Jack Black, The Satellite, disco (in a suit), three Men & an Amber baby, vodka distilled from fog, the Damnwells, whale & reindeer, sign language, Amber the astronomer, mega dose of mushrooms, time machines, Eddie Van Halen, fearlessness & discipline, Foxy, & moves that get me to the front. Audio: Taylor Hungerford (@silversparkprintworks) Into/Outro music: Composed, produced, performed, and engineered by Toby Karlin (@humblebirdmusic) and Greg Settino (@gregsettino). Vocals by Sarah Agajanian (@esemae_music). Podcast graphic: Designed by Amanda Shames (@malloryknox11).