INTERVIEW: The Aquadolls release new single ‘Disappearing Girl’
Photo: The Aquadolls’ new single is “Disappearing Girl.” Photo courtesy of @_kotoko / Provided by Earshot Media with permission.
The Aquadolls, a band that originated almost a decade ago, recently released their new single, “Disappearing Girl,” and appeared at this year’s Lollapalooza. They are also scheduled for the Beachlife Festival on Sept. 11 and Ohana Festival on Sept. 25.
Melissa Brooks, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, started the Aquadolls in 2012 in California. Current members Jacqueline Proctor (drums) and Keilah Nina (bass) joined in 2018. Previous recording efforts include the album The Dream and the Deception and singles “Take Me Away” and “Suck on This.”
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with the band about the past, present and future of the band. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Tell me about the early days of the band. How did the Aquadolls first form?
BROOKS: I started the band when I was a senior in high school and would play anywhere from house shows to basements to warehouses (with the occasional festival at the observatory OC). After a few lineup changes over the years, I got Keilah and Jackie in 2018, and we’ve been playing together ever since!
Does La Mirada, California, have a solid music scene?
BROOKS: I honestly don’t know of any bands in my town, haha. We’ve always just driven out to Los Angeles or Orange County to play shows!
What was it like when the newly formed group launched in 2018?
NINA: It was pretty rough honestly. Our first show I think we played to less than 10 people in OC. The second show together was to even less people. At this point we were just taking what we could get and playing tiny shows every weekend. It kind of felt like we started to fizzle out until we got really lucky with our new management in 2019!
How would you describe the band’s sound?
BROOKS: Our musical inspirations vary from punk to pop and everywhere in between! Every song has sort of a different feel, just depends on what we’re feeling in the moment. The band as a collective has a pretty eclectic music taste, and I think it definitely shows!
What inspired the song “Disappearing Girl”?
PROCTOR: The inspiration behind “Disappearing Girl” was being in a relationship but not being fully present for your partner. It’s about realizing that you’ve been losing yourself trying to make someone else happy instead of making sure your own needs are met. The longer you stay in the relationship, the more you lose yourself until you completely disappear into unhappiness. At the end of the day, it’s OK to get lost and make those mistakes, as long as you can grow from them and practice self care and loving yourself!
What’s the future look like for the band in 2021 and beyond?
BAND: We’ve got a few festivals lined up for the rest of the year, with some more singles dropping in between! We definitely want to get started on writing more music for you all as well. And as for the future, hopefully some Josie and the Pussycats style world domination is coming soon!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Aquadolls’ new single is called “Disappearing Girl.” Click here for more information.
