Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/ bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to shine the spotlight on Nashville rockers The Other LA!
The Other LA is the freshest band to break onto the scene. From packing out venues in their hometown of Nashville, TN, and supporting acts like Halestorm, Lacey Sturm, and Lacuna Coil, TOLA delivers a heavy-hitting, headline worthy show. What makes The Other LA stand out is their seemingly effortless ability to connect emotionally with any audience. Aria (Lead singer/ songwriter) shares her journey of balancing Aspergers and overcoming adversity through her intimate lyrics and raw vocal performances.
“I’m Not Broken” is an over-the-top expression of triumph despite being born different. It’s about not accepting labels that society including teacher, friends, enemies, family or anyone would put on you. “I’m Not Broken” is the break-out song of Aria (lead singer of The Other LA) coming into her own accepting her Asperger’s and not just accepting but embracing it as a gift. The opening chorus is a gang style vocal of the many voices that compete in Aria’s head. The song sways back and forth from verses quietly rebuking the outside haters to the choruses slamming rejection of societies labels.
“I’m not Broken” epitomizing the attitude of sometimes “life just sucks” and you can either sink or swim above the sharks. The Other LA decided on the latter.
ARIA – Vocals / Piano
Mac Lee – Bass / Backing Vocals
Zack Chapman – Drums
Joel Ericson – Guitar
We sat down with ARIA, lead singer of The Other LA, for a short, but fun Q & A session!
Every superhero or villain has an origin and a band is no different minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiments. What is the origin of The Other LA?
ARIA/The Other LA: In 2014, McKenzie and I started jamming covers in my parents living room in Lafayette, LA. The band played all over Texas, Louisiana rotating over 50 different musicians with various background. The differing musicians and so many different crowds really helped me with her Asperger’s to come out of her shell.
The sound has evolved over the years starting with emo to a blend of rock and alternative. Louisiana and all the different styles of music really pushed my creative side of blending sounds and genres.
With all the emotions and musical influences, it is natural for the band to tap into the 80s alternative music blending it with hard rock and aggressive hooks and more complex vocal patterns.
Band names can have a meaning or it can be a name pulled out of a hat. What’s the story behind The Other LA?
I moved to Louisiana in 2012 from South Carolina but for some reason, her mom’s friends thought they moved to Los Angeles. My mom would always call Louisiana The Other LA and that’s how Aria got inspired to name the band.
What are you currently working on?
We are working 3 new singles and our spring tour.
“Freak Show” is about being tired of guys labeling me as a “big titty goth girl” just because of the way I dress. The song explains how I’m not a fetish and I don’t appreciate being treated as an object to drool over instead of being a human being who has feelings. I love expressing myself through music and my look and nobody can take that away from you.
“Goddess” is about embracing your inner fire and becoming reborn after a traumatic experience. I believe we all have trauma in our bodies but it’s very important to dive deep and figure out what our biggest traumas are and to heal ourselves from that experience. Once we’ve gone through it, you come back stronger than ever.
“Rage” is about embracing the aggressive loss of control when things get overwhelming. I total channel the scar on my arm when I slammed open a door but stuck my arm through the glass because of that aggressive loss of control. The song is a powerful expression of just pure emotion beyond any sense or sensibility.
What was the first CD/album that you bought with your own money?
My first album I bought was Riot from Paramore. I was 8 years old when I first started getting into alternative music and Paramore was my gateway band into rock music. I started dressing like Hayley Williams when I turned 11 years old just feeling like a rockstar at a young age.
What are your 5 favorite albums?
My favorite albums are The Thirteenth Step by A Perfect Circle, Tinderbox by Siouxsie and the Banshees, Fallen by Evanescence, Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy, and 10,000 Days by Tool.
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