This month’s highlighted band is one that is very dear to me. That is because it is comprised of some of my dearest friends. So, yes, the bias is very real, but ya know what? So is the talent! And these ladies are simply oozing with talent.
In fact, if you are a regular reader of Germ, you might recognize the lead guitarist as our very own Briana Harley. She plays with Mayra on rhythm guitar, Lucia on bass, and Richelle on drums. To further prove their talent, every one of them sings and does back-ups for one another.
The Storeetellers’ sound is fun, pop-y, rock-y, and will most definitely get you to move. It’s the kind of music that you can listen to and relate to when you’re angry and defiant or just need an emergency dance party (and, I mean, who doesn’t need that now and then?).
I am so happy to be able to introduce you all to these lovely ladies. I got the chance to talk to them about their newly formed band and all the fun they have together.
Germ Magazine: Hello, all! Thank you guys so much for agreeing to this interview. I’m so excited for everyone to get to know you.
First off, tell us about how you all got into music. What made you want to be in a band and eventually form Storeetellers?
Lucia: That could be a long answer.
Mayra: I just liked Evanescence.
Richelle (aka Bagel): I watched the movie Josie and the Pussycats, and the rest is pretty much history. I also started taking drum lessons when I was 9.
Briana: I started in elementary school band and then started trying every instrument I could — I still learn a new instrument when I can.
We formed Storeetellers inspired by a band from Seattle called La Luz. That inspired us to be rad lady musicians like them, having fun on stage and being besties.
GM: I know Briana and Richelle met working with the Young Artists Project. What can you tell us about that?
Bagel: Um, Briana was the first friend I made for YAP. She wrote the music and I played drums, so we worked together for 2 weeks. We connected really well and knew immediately that we would be working together for a while. So we have been exchanging favors ever since. I do film projects, and so I figured I would do film and she could score my videos. The YAP was a musical, so there was a lot of creativity interactions there.
Briana: YAP was an amazing experience, and we definitely clicked from the beginning. It’s always fun to work on a project with Bagel, whether it’s film or jazz gigs.
GM: Very cool. So as Storeetellers, you’ve described your sound as “punkpopabilly.” Can you expand on what that means and what it sounds like?
Lucia: Um, well, we sound like all those genres [pop, punk, & rockabilly] together.
Bagel: People think it should be a new genre.
Mayra: It’s like we got the rawness of punk, the catchiness of pop, but still are reminiscent of older styles.
Briana: Oh dang, Mayra just hit the nail on the head.
GM: Nice. I like that. So, who or what would you say inspires you, both musically and lyrically (or even just in general)?
Mayra: Feminism, the ability to be unapologetic in the way we present ourselves. The ability to give myself a voice without being judged upon.
Bagel: Summertime. That’s when the most stuff happens, you know what I mean?
Lucia: Relationships gone rotten.
Briana: Any of those crazy stories that we all have hidden in our closets, we write about them instead. No shame. We’re 100% ourselves, which is the best way to be.
GM: Love it! I know you all share my thoughts and feelings as to why it’s so important to celebrate women in music, and Mayra even co-created the recent WFSU Fest. How did this come about, and how was the turn out?
Mayra: It was literally a conversation between me and my friend Merilou Salazar [Cosmo] from WASI just about creating a space for women to express themselves in whatever art form they prefer. We pretty much fed off each other’s excitement and made it happen. The event was one of the most powerful things I have ever made happen. It’s like we were able to make something out of nothing with such love and success. It feels unreal.
Briana: Mayra (and Merilou) are seriously radical, and WFSU Fest was amazingly empowering and straight up fun. There’s some awesome ladies out there!!
GM: Sounds amazing. Speaking of self-expression, many of our readers are creators — writers, artists, musicians, etc. What advice would you give them in continuing to create?
Mayra: Never doubt yourself.
Lucia: Continue to be inspired by the people around you.
Bagel: Stop depending on finding inspiration in other things, but more so finding it within yourself.
Briana: Push outside your boundaries. Create things that are honest even if they’re weird or crazy or against the norm.
GM: Awesome. What can you tell us about your upcoming EP?
Lucia: We recorded it in one day. One afternoon. It has our anthem “Dont Hold My Hand,” which is very representative of our vibe and sound.
Bagel: I wasnt there. I am not playing drums, but the demos were a great learning tool!
Mayra: Our EP was recorded graciously by Cris Cordero at a beautiful studio in LA. 3 songs in one day. Pretty crazy.
Briana: We did a lot of work in one day, and I think it turned out pretty great. It’s tentatively called Kiss Your Frogs, Hug Your Boos — a quote from our very own Mayra, but it’s possibly open to change.
GM: That’s incredible. And finally, where exactly can we find you and your music?
A: We have Facebook, Reverbnation, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Soundcloud, and more. All of the portals /storeetellers.
GM: Thanks again for doing this! You know I love you so much, and I can’t wait for everyone else to as well! Keep being rad.
Check out Storeetellers’ semi-acoustic version of their song “Don’t Hold My Hand”:
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As always, if you know a local band that you think deserves some recognition, let me know, and I’ll check them out. Maybe you’ll see them on Germ in the future!