This week we reached out to up-and-coming Los Angeles band MyVeronica for a digital interview. They’re building up a following in the Los Angeles underground scene with their energetic performances and grunge alternative sound. We’re pleased to make their introduction.
Who is MyVeronica?
My name is Mia and I write and produce the music in MyVeronica. I sing and play guitar in the band with Charlie Havenick on drums, Nina Tartibi on bass and Nick Junk on guitar.
How did you start making music?
I played guitar and bass on and off from when I was a kid but I really started making music in my junior year of high school. I was listening to a lot of Frankie Cosmos and started writing songs and recording them in my bedroom. Since then, my taste has changed a lot but I still record all the music completely DIY.
How would you describe your sound? Who are your influences?
Our sound is very influenced by the 90s, taking bits and pieces from grunge, alternative, shoegaze, emo. I pull inspiration from a lot of places but I’ve had Yo La Tengo’s “I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One” and Ivy’s “Realistic” on repeat lately. My friends and I have been seeing this band Cryogeyser a bunch in the past couple months and that has been super inspiring. Outside of music, I get inspiration from watching old cartoons like MTV’s Downtown, driving aimlessly & finding old websites on the Internet Archive.
Tell us about your latest work Need2/Cut It Out. How did it come about?
Need2/Cut It Out is a double single that we released this year. It was my first time ever putting out music. I thought it would be cool to transpose the tape format of A-side/B-side onto the digital landscape of Spotify and streaming services. Need2 and Cut It Out are an interesting pairing because they explore similar themes but one is about avoidance and the other is about acceptance. I think they’re a good jumping off point for us as a band and I’m excited to put out more music this year.
As a part of the blossoming Los Angeles live music scene, what’s your favorite part about it?
My favorite part about playing around LA has really been having the chance to present my vision to a bunch of people and see how they react. It feels like such a privilege to play this music I care about so much and see the ways people are affected by it. Every show is different and I learn a lot every time we play. I also love watching people mosh to our music.
What’s been a live show highlight for you?
At the last house show we played, a group of girls at the front of the pit knew the words and sang along to Need2. That was crazy. We’ve been playing a lot of house shows in our neighborhood near UCLA and it’s the best feeling to look out into the crowd and see our friends and people from our community looking back at us. They always go so hard I love it!
Before we go, what’s coming up for MyVeronica?
We are playing a lot more in LA this month and next! Our next shows are at Junior High LA on 3/13 & a house show we’re throwing in Westwood with Dead Relatives Magazine on 3/18. Other than that I’ve been recording & we will be putting out more music soon!
Stream MyVeronica’s latest:
Velvet Noise 