Welcome back to Text Message Interviews! This month we interviewed local LA band The Regrettes as they get ready to bring their sweet, smart, and spunky #DUMjams to venues all along the West Coast during the month of November.
DUM DUM’s Music Staffer Julia Gibson caught up with frontwoman Lydia Night and guitarist Genessa Gariano about finding success in the L.A. music scene, the gear they use to get their signature “cupcake punk” sound, and Halloween costumes. Read all about it, catch The Regrettes at The Echo on Sunday 11/6 and at The Constellation Room on Saturday 11/12, and #getDUM!
DUM DUM Zine (DD): Hey Lydia and Genessa! This is Julia Gibson, music staffer for DUM DUM Zine! Thank you so much for doing this Text Message Interview with us; we’re stoked to get to ask you both some questions. You ready to get started?
Lydia Night (LN): hi!!! yes for sure
LN: this is lydia btw
Genessa Gariano (GG): Yes! Hello 🙂
DD: Hi hi! 
To kick it off, can you each share 3 images that are inspiring you at the moment?
LN:
GG: We all met at a music school and have known each other for years but it wasn’t until recently that we came together. Maxx, Sage, and I reconnected with Lydia when we played a last minute show together. A month or so later while I was in Peru, I got a call from Lyd asking to join her band. We all said yes, and now here we are! Everything fell into place pretty naturally 🙂
LN: yes yes what she said!^
DD: That’s so sweet! I’m glad your friendship has been enduring and it was a naturally good fit. Had you all been playing for a while independent of each other before that?
LN: yea i started taking guitar lessons on my 6th birthday and the rest was history!
DD: Aw, so little!
GG: Yes! We’ve all been in other bands but pretty much everything I’ve done has been with Maxx and Sage. Getting to play with them AND Lydia now is like a dream
DD: Haha dream team!
GG: Exactly!
DD: You both play guitar, yes? Tell me a little about the kind of guitars you’re using at the moment and why you like them!
GG: Ooo I love talking about gear. I play a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson ES-349. The Gibson is basically a 335 only with a smaller body which makes it more manageable to play live while still keeping the warm melt your bones tone of its larger bodied relative. Meanwhile, Teles are a classic and I never feel more at home than when I’m behind that baby. I run both guitars through a Matchless amp which purrrs like none other
I could go on forever
she’s gorgeoussssss
LN: i love her because she has this sorta toy-ish tone which is so cool
DD: Rad! 
Also lyrically super honest, I’m thinking specifically of “A Living Human Girl” which is currently making me feel a lot better about the breakout that’s happening on the side of my face. Can you tell me about the topics you address in your songs and why they’re important to you?
LN: aw thank you! there isn’t a specific topic that I think is noticeably repeated in our music however a lot of our songs do focus on self love and acceptance. also boys.
DD: Haha all good stuff. I know you recently signed with Warner (congrats!). Obviously you had to start somewhere though. What has it been like coming up in the LA music scene? Is there a lot of support for new artists? Have you come up against any hurdles?
LN: yes we did!! it’s been actually pretty great. most of the people who we surround ourselves with and play with are really cool and respectful. we have had to deal with people treating us differently due to our age but we don’t let it get to us:)
GG: Exactly what Lyd said! The really great thing about LA is that so many people are musicians; no matter what, I can always find someone to play/jam with. It’s easy to stay inspired
DD: You guys are in the right place! Both literally and figuratively.
DD: Okay: if you were given the opportunity to book your absolute dream tour, which bands/artists (dead or alive, together or disbanded) would you want to share a bill with?
LN: ooooo that’s so tricky! I think we would be opening for the beatles. or hole! ah or elvis!
DD: I could totally see all of that!
Since we’re on the topic of touring, you’re about to embark on a mini tour, right? Are you excited?
LN: YES AH it’s so soon!!! i’m so excited we loooove sleigh bells
DD: They’re so fun! 
GG: We are so excited for the sleigh bells tour!! It’s up the west coast. San Diego to Seattle
DD: Oh awesome! You’re gonna have a blast! Say hi to the Bay Area for me
You also did a mini tour earlier this year Tacocat. Do you have a favorite tour story you would like to share?
LN: yes we will say hi haha. i honestly can’t think of anything because it was so fast paced and fun it blended together in my mind
Speaking of fun, did you guys do anything for Halloween? Can we exchange costume photos?
LN: oh yeahhh this is me and my friends on the saturday before halloween about to go to a party
DD: Ohhhh my goodness so good! You’re the happiest lil’ heart
I was Björk from her “Venus as a Boy” video
LN: oh my gosh so cute
GG: I ended up doing a last minute space person!
GG: Ahh! Your Bjork is incredible
DD: Haha that’s awesome! 
We all ruled at Halloween. Okay last question: what keeps you inspired and astonished as a creator?
GG: Hmm when I am feeling uninspired I’ll step back from whatever I’m working on and go to a different medium. If I’m stuck trying to write a song, I’ll go outside and draw/paint. Most times a new perspective is all it takes! Also my friends. They inspire me endlessly.
☺️
DD: That doesn’t sound weird at all, that sounds like a really useful strategy. That’s a good point too about emotional awareness, love that.
LN: okay good haha
DD: Lydia + Genessa, thank you both so much for chatting with me for the last few days! It’s been an absolute pleasure, you girls are so flippin’ cool. All of us at DUM wish you the best, and we’ll be there to cheer you on at your show at The Echo this Sunday! xoxoxox
LN: aw thank you so so much! it’s been lovely. see you sunday ❤️
GG: Thank YOU!!!!!! This was so fun 🙂
*
The Regrettes BIO:
Perfectly imperfect – that’s one way to describe LA based punk act, The Regrettes. Writing songs that proudly bear a brazen and unabashed attitude in the vein of acts Courtney Barnett or Karen O – with a pop aesthetic reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s acts a la the Temptations or Buddy Holly – the LA based four piece create infectious, punk driven tracks.
Lead by outspoken frontwoman, Lydia Night, and comprised of Genessa Gariano on guitar, Sage Chavis on bass and drummer Maxx Morando, the group have left the LA rock scene floored, managing to capture the hearts of jaded rock critics while opening for acts like Kate Nash, Jack Off Jill, Bleached, Pins, Deep Vally and more. With nothing but demos available online, the group are already beginning to generate hype, from outlets like NPR, and with NYLON already heralding them them as a “punk act you should be listening to”.
Friday, November 4th 2016