Now find out more about Tidal Babes
Interview conducted July 29, 2019
by Dan Locke
Singer Lyndsi Austin and songwriter/producer Chris Qualls (Concord Music Publishing/Cutcraft Music Group) were attending a concert in Hollywood when they started discussing a potential new project together. Both grew up playing in rock bands but had switched over to making pop music for years. That night, inspired by the rock show they had just seen (and a little bit of whiskey), the two began brainstorming the foundation for a new band that combined all the things they loved about Southern California and it’s musical history; Surf rock guitars; The energy of Orange County punk rock; Beach Boys harmonies; The sassiness of the east LA socialites and fashionistas; Cruising down Sunset Boulevard.
inger Lyndsi Austin and songwriter/producer Chris Qualls (Concord Music Publishing/Cutcraft Music Group) were attending a concert in Hollywood when they started discussing a potential new project together. Both grew up playing in rock bands but had switched over to making pop music for years. That night, inspired by the rock show they had just seen (and a little bit of whiskey), the two began brainstorming the foundation for a new band that combined all the things they loved about Southern California and it’s musical history; Surf rock guitars; The energy of Orange County punk rock; Beach Boys harmonies; The sassiness of the east LA socialites and fashionistas; Cruising down Sunset Boulevard.
Band Members: Lyndsi Austin, Chris Qualls, Danny DeLeon
Dan Locke: So how was it to share the stage with the Dollyrots?
Tidal Babes: It was amazing. We’ve been following them for a while and it was a total blast to play with them. Their energy on stage is super fun
How did you create the band?
Chris and Lyndsi had both been missing playing in bands. Chris had taken a break to focus more on his songwriting career, and Lyndsi was working more on her own. They went to see the Drums play a private show in Hollywood, and that same night after some whiskey and reminiscing decided to go home and write “Do You Wanna Come Over”. That was the beginning of Tidal Babes. Chris and Danny had been playing in bands together forever and Chris knew that there would be no one better to play drums for the project than Danny
How did you get your name?
We have a long-running list of ridiculous band names in our notes that we constantly add to for fun. We started it as a list of bands that seem like they would be on Burger Records. We probably have over 100 band names now. Tidal Babes was originally on the list, but we decided it was too cool not to do something with
You were influenced from Southern CA musical history, with the mix of LA punk. What I heard the first time I hear your band was a mix of The Go-Gos/ Butthole Surfers and The Bangles. What was your first gig like?
Our first gig was at Harvard & Stone in Hollywood. We had kind of kept the band under wraps for the first year, so when we finally played our first show, people were excited and we had a lot of support
You are an LA-based band. What is the perfect place to play in LA?
There are so many good venues in LA, that’s hard to say. We love playing at The Echo – it’s in our hood. Our EP Release at the Hi-Hat was a total blast though, so maybe a tie with those two. Would love to play The Troubador sometime – that place is amazing
Lyndsi, you are from Salt Lake City. How is the live music scene? And is the city more than just Mormons/religious.
Lyndsi: The live music scene there is actually amazing. I played in several bands there, my last one being the most successful. We had a lot of support in the community. We played regularly at this place called Urban Lounge – still one of my favorite venues ever. Kilby Court was always a blast too. There are so many talented people in SLC. The downtown scene is super lively now – lots of cool bars, fun shows, galleries – a lot different that most people think. It gets more religious the farther into the suburbs that you get, but the metro area is very liberal and fun
Lyndsi, what was Dance Camp? You were a composer, featured artist for the song Got the Rhythm (ESCQ)?
Lyndsi: Dance Camp was a movie that Chris and his partner Eric Straube composed the music for. I got to write “Got The Rhythm” with them
Chris, you are with Concord Music Publishing. Tell us about that?
Chris: Yes, I am with Cutcraft Music Group and Concord Publishing. I’ve been a professional songwriter/producer for a while now and it’s extremely helpful to have a good publishing company backing you up. Every day I’m working on songs for other artists or TV shows. They do a good job of keeping me busy. Last week Eric and I had the two singles on the number one album in Ireland.
The company has had people like Shawn Mendes, Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars and Music from the television show Empire under their wing.
How did you get two songs on the soundtrack of the movie Overboard?
Katrina and Joseph from Cutcraft hooked that up. We had scored a couple of movies and contributed songs to several others. Over the years we built up relationships with some of the music supervisors. Katrina and Joseph set up a session with Rue Melo who is also on cut craft and encouraged us to try a song in Spanish. We didn’t realize they were going to pitch it for “Overboard” The supervisor loved it and asked us to write a couple more custom songs for the movie. One ended up making it and one scene got cut.
Lyndsi and Chris since you are married I am going to ask you about some couples in music. I would like you to say something about each if you can.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
A great example of how a relationship can affect a bandJay Z and Beyoncé
Ultimate power couple. They also know how to use their personal relationship to drive marketing for their projectsJack and Meg White
Hilarious that they decided to play the brother/sister thing instead of the married thingOzzy and Sharon Osbourne
Shows how important the support of your spouse can beIke and Tina Turner
We are very anti to all forms of abuse and mental manipulationKurt Cobain and Courtney Love
The reason I got into playing guitar in the first place and his coat tail rider
How do you stay healthy on tour?
Lyndsi: Physical activity is very important to all of us, so we all try to stay on top of that whether we’re on the road or not. Chris trains Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Muay Thai and I do Muay Thai as well. Danny loves to run.
Any plans to do a wider tour this year?
Yes, definitely. We all love touring. We’re trying to work out the details for that now
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
We hope to be touring the world, and continuously writing and releasing new music
Anything in closing for your fans?
Thank you for all of your love! Hope to see you all at a show sometime. We love to meet our fans
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