LA based alt/garage rockers Blacktop Queen talk “Spiderbite”

Blacktop Queen have emerged out of Los Angeles with pure sonic goodness as they combine 90s alt-rock with garage-rock influences. The trio hit the ground running with their debut single “Spiderbite,” the track was self-produced and recorded in a single take, it’s a head-nodding banger with plenty emotion, check it out and discover Blacktop Queen in our exclusive GroundSounds interview below.

For those just discovering Blacktop Queen, how did you guys come together and start making music?

Blacktop Queen came out of the death of our previous bands and some previous relationships. Nate (songwriter/drummer) had his previous band and girlfriend break up with him on the same day while Evan (songwriter/singer/guitar) had his band fall apart over irreconcilable personality differences.  Omar (bass) and Nate had been friends for years and started rebuilding working on new music together and when they joined with Evan to complete some of their songs ideas, it was a perfect match.

What made you guys decide on the moniker Blacktop Queen?

It was the best sounding name out of a list of names Nate had been keeping on his phone.  Somehow it sounds the way the music feels to the band.  Carefree and a little reckless

What do you guys enjoy most about Los Angeles?

the weather, the music scene, the food, the creative people around us.

Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with the fresh new track “Spiderbite?”

Spiderbite is about a person who is poison to you but you can’t seem to keep away. We tracked it in the middle of the night at a studio north of LA. It took a couple rounds to get the right tempo but once we landed on a speed, we kept the take and what you hear is what was done that night.

What bands/musicians are you guys currently listening to?

Childish Gambino

Knower

Riothorse Royale

Vince Staples

Diiv

Wavves

Johnny Marr

What advice would you give to newly formed up-and-coming bands?  

be genuine! do what inspires you and gets you excited.

When you guys are on stage performing what goes through your minds?

we’ll this is Nate (drummer) writing this. On stage I’m thinking about making the song feel good. The lyrics are also close to my heart so on the particularly emotional songs for me I’m really trying to hit it home on the drums and sing the backgrounds well.

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