Today we’d like to introduce you to Calitonic.
Hi Calitonic, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was drawn early to alternative rock, punk, grunge, through artists like Melissa Auf Der Maur, Kim Deal, and PJ Harvey. Coming from San Diego to New Orleans, it was hard to find my place in the music scene here.
Calitonic grew out of this constantly changing group of people who kept finding one another through shows, friendships, and a lot of life happening at once. I don’t think you can separate Calitonic from the relationships that built it, even if not every detail belongs in public.
We’ve played house shows, acoustic sets, and venues around New Orleans including Gasa Gasa, The Howlin’ Wolf, and The Crypt, and recently sold 100 tickets for a show with fishband! at Gasa Gasa. Right now, we’re preparing to release The Heart-Shaped Lake studio session, which captures a live, raw era for the band. It’s alternative rock shaped by heartbreak, coastal homesickness, trust, and the consequences of falling in love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges has been finding people and spaces that understand the kind of alternative rock we make: music rooted in ’90s indie and grunge, especially bands like The Breeders and Veruca Salt, but also the melodic, high-energy pop-rock side of No Doubt. The scene in Southern California is overflowing with this genre, but not so much in NOLA.
We’ve also had to put personal feelings aside to perform many times. We are a very tight-knit group, so when something affects one person, it naturally affects the room. It has been impossible to simply act as if nothing happened, especially when we are writing, rehearsing, and performing together so often. Rather than putting every detail on display, we have tried to let the music carry the emotional truth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
i am the singer, guitarist, songwriter, and one of the five(although we are now short a second guitarist, so technically 4) creative forces behind Calitonic, an alternative-rock band based in New Orleans. I write songs, perform, shape the arrangements and live shows, and handle a lot of the visual and promotional side of the project as well, from social media and graphics to the overall world around each release. Calitonic is vulnerable, chaotic, catchy, and a little bit theatrical, with viola adding texture that is not always expected in a guitar-driven rock band.
When i’m not performing, I’m a full time Loyola New Orleans student, studying the music business. I’ve stage managed Freret Fest at Napoleon Stage and worked for Jazz Fest to live record the musicians from backstage. In fact, the entire band attends Loyno, and we all are involved in countless other music projects. Calitonic has been special for us, and for the people who support us. We tell a story together..
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
my drummer, nika nodjoumi (of her own band Nikaness) host jam / song writing sessions for other musicians in the college and surrounding area. Additionally, all Calitonic members are incredibly active in the live music scene. We frequent the hardcore shows, jazz sets, and house shows across New Orleans.
We have a five track EP releasing next month which will be available on bandcamp and all streaming platforms We’d love to work with more creative visionaries on filmmaking and photography.
As far as studio work goes, Zach Danitz is our producer and audio engineer, with assistance from our viola player (Malcolm Dorsett) and myself (Makena’aloha). To collaborate with us, whether that be for a bill or for a song, reach out thru IG or email!
Pricing:
- Heart-Shaped Lake 5 track EP releasing next month
- alternative / emo / pop rock
- next show: acoustic (with upright bass from our awesome bassist Calder Nakell) at Audubon Park 09/07
Contact Info:
- Instagram: calitonicband
- Other: https://calitonic.bandcamp.com
