Music Q&A with Calling Cadence
Photo courtesy of Calling Cadence
Los Angeles indie rock duo, Calling Cadence, are getting ready to release their upcoming self-titled album! Today, the band released a new single titled “California Bartender”. In this Q&A, Calling Cadence’s Rae Cole and Oscar Bugarin talked about the album, who they would love to see in concert, and more! Calling Cadence will be available everywhere this spring via Hi-Res Records!
Congratulations on the upcoming release of your self-titled debut album! What does the album mean to you?
Rae: Thank you! This album is a long time coming. As a band we’ve moved through so much up until this point, so I would have to say this is a good representation of our journey as a band and a pretty awesome homage to all the crazy adventures we’ve been through together.
Oscar: This album is a dream come true really, to be able to record a fully analog album from start to finish was one of my ultimate dreams as musician and recording artist. These songs are heavily influenced by our lives, so there’s even more meaning for us, as it always transports back in time whenever we listen to those songs. And it also is a long time coming for me after going through a whole different life in the military before getting back to music.
What’s your favorite song off the album?
Rae: I really love “Wasn’t it Good.” It’s the most beautiful one in my mind. But I also love “California Bartender” as a personal favorite, just because of my own experience reflected through the lyrics.
Oscar: Wooh, that’s a hard one. It’s kind of a toss up between “King,” and “So Far.” So I’ll go with “So Far,” because it gives me that old Rock’n’Roll feel, a little bit of Bob Seger, the Beatles, Elvis, and maybe a little Prince. I can’t tell you what I was thinking when this song came out, but it definitely captures the feeling. It’s one of the songs I love listening to in the car.
When did you realize you wanted to create music?
Rae: I have been singing and performing my whole life. With that in mind, I’ve always known myself as a singer first and foremost. I’ve always attempted writing songs, however my creative side didn’t really come into play until a few years ago. Oscar and Coby Ryan McLaughlin are the first two people I’ve ever written anything with, so since our first time jamming in Fall 2018, I’ve known it’s all I wanted to do.
Oscar: I don’t know if I can put a timestamp on that. My Mom’s side of the family, the Sanchez side, has a long history of musicians for generations who used to play for their communities that were part of the field workers up and down the 126 towards Ventura, CA. My dad and his brother are self taught musicians, so I guess you can say I’ve always wanted to make music in my life and as a living. Then I decided to have an Army experience, and found my way back to music through a singing competition in Africa called “Operation Rising Star '' and was inspired l to do what makes me happy - playing and writing music for people. I didn’t want to do anything else anymore.
What is one artist or band that you haven’t seen in concert, that you hope to see someday?
Rae: Fleetwood Mac. All of them together.
Oscar: Paul McCartney, I hope I get to see him, and/or make a track with him. Fingers crossed!
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Rae: Write a song per day. Even if it sucks. Just get into the habit of writing.
Oscar: I attended a Berklee summer program when I was maybe 16, and an instructor said to me one day “Don’t let all that sh** (stuff) in rock‘n’roll get to you kid, trust your gut.”
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Rae: I meditate and exercise. I also read my tarot cards. Singing is also an escape for me. When I’m dealing with stress and anxiety, it’s cool to have music to bring my mind back to equilibrium.
Oscar: Music, and pizza. I tell myself that when things get negative, that it’s just a pendulum swing of life, it has its ups and downs, that’s the nature of it all. And it’s bound to get positive again.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
Rae: We really hope you like the album and vibe with us! And to any person out there striving to make an album, keep it up. Anything’s possible and the more you work at something the closer you are to actually nailing your dreams.
Oscar: Thanks everybody who’s supporting us so far. I can’t wait to perform these songs live, we’re gonna have some fun!