Bay Area fuzz pop duo Artsick recently released a vital new single to raise funds for The Trevor Project, truly the most worthy of causes. The release sent me on a voyage of discovery and I’ve been hooked on Riley Riley and Mario Hernandez’ raw and deeply real grooves ever since. Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Riley very kindly agreed to answer a few questions for heavymetalkids.uk:

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Let’s begin by talking about the new single you’ve just put out to raise funds for The Trevor Project. Could you please tell us a little about what inspired the release and maybe give readers an idea of the vital work The Trevor Project are doing?

Thanks for asking! We originally recorded the “I’m Sticking with You” cover for the 2024 Oakland Weekender Velvet Underground compilation cassette, but it was never openly released online. I liked the way it turned out, and the lyric, “I’m sticking with you” is kind of perfect for the cause, so it felt like a nice idea to release it more broadly for this benefit. Mario has a 16 track analogue machine so he recorded us at his studio in Oakland. The “Look Again” demo from 2018 was recorded by me in my band space at home. I have always had a thing for roughly recorded demos, as I think sometimes they capture something a properly recorded, practiced song can’t. That being said I do also love the full band version on our LP. 

As the US government shifts towards authoritarianism, with an oligarchy of billionaire racist, sexist white men at the helm, communities that were already struggling are even more at risk now than before. As a member and ally of the queer community, I feel passionate about protecting the rights of LGBTQI+ people to be who they are, do what they want and to live in a world that is safe for them. Trans people are losing their access to gender affirming healthcare under the administration, which is incredibly dangerous and unjust. I felt compelled to try to raise some money for the non-profit organization because I know the crucial role a support like The Trevor Project can play in saving the lives of queer people at risk. It is my hope that all the LGBTQI+ youth know that they are not alone and that there is help out there. There is a whole community of people who understand, and will accept and love them for who they are. The Trevor Project offers free crisis counseling through text, call or chat which is great since a lot of queer youth live in households and communities that are sadly anti trans etc. I have struggled with suicidal thoughts in my life – I know how isolating and scary it can be, so I am grateful non-profits like The Trevor Project exist. You can read more about all of their work and resources here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Now I’m a little late to the party so please forgive me. I’ve totally fallen for the directness and purity of Artsick’s unique fuzz pop in recent weeks. Can you give us a rundown on how you guys came together and arrived at your wonderful Slumberland Records debut Fingers Crossed?

From 2012-2017, I had a band called Burnt Palms. We used to go up to San Francisco and Oakland to play shows over the years. I met my Artsick bandmate/friend, Mario Hernandez through playing with his band, Kids On A Crime Spree, and became friends with the original Artsick bassist, Donna McKean when I played a couple shows with her band, Lunchbox. When Burnt Palms broke up, I was feeling pretty sad… pretty artsick actually, so I started to record some demos with the intention of forming a new band. Mario heard the demos at a party at his house and offered to record and play drums for the songs! I asked Donna if she’d like to play bass in Artsick and she said yes! This is how Artsick got started. We self released a 7” single in 2018, and played some shows. Meanwhile, I was writing a bunch of new songs and recording demo versions to send to the band so we could work on them. Those songs evolved into what you hear on Fingers Crossed. Both Mario and Donna wrote their parts and Tim Brown (Donna’s husband/bandmate) recorded the songs on 8 track at their studio in Oakland. Slumberland Records happened to dig the songs and wanted to put out the record which was a dream come true. I just love the label, and l have always wished to be part of the roster of bands. It’s a true honor. 

I find the themes of your writing highly relatable, touching on uncertainty, anxiety and attempting to navigate ever more challenging realities. What is it that inspires you to create such deep reaching but delightfully hook-heavy pop?

That means a lot, thank you so much. The songs I write are a reflection of myself, the people, and the world around me. I am a sensitive person so it’s not hard for me to feel what others are feeling, and write from others perspectives. I have dealt with mental health struggles my whole life, so I think music helps me sort stuff out. It just turns out most people struggle with these things, too – hence why I think people can easily relate. I don’t think too much when I write. It’s mostly a feeling that comes over me that a song is dangling above me and I just need to pick up a guitar to grab it. It’s the best feeling in the world when it comes out quickly. It’s a pretty emotional process for me. The hooks come from instinct and feeling – not planned at all. Music and writing has always been there for me throughout my life so it means a lot if my songs can be there for someone else, too.

I have really enjoyed your recent social media posts showing you out volunteering in the community and playing music with your daughter. How is it raising a family and navigating the everyday amid all of the political unrest and uncertainty that has been unleashed across the US?

I have two kids – an eleven and six year old. They are amazing and I love them so much. It’s the toughest job, and I am non-stop anxious about their futures in this world. It’s brutal to see the reversal of women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies etc. It’s totally unacceptable. We are raising our daughters to be whoever they are, and whatever they want. They know they will be loved and supported no matter what. We want them to grow up strong, resilient and kind people who stand up for what’s right. I do my best to support and inspire them in whatever interest they have. They love music, especially singing but I’m hoping they’ll legit pick up guitar soon, like your daughter! I love seeing you two play together also. It’s fantastic! Recently I volunteered to teach some 5th and 6th graders about guitar pedals, and how we can use them in music to help create emotions. We made some noise and I asked them what they felt listening to it – what environment, color, texture it sounded like… it was super cool to hear their perspectives. I would love to do more of that. If I can inspire any kid to get into music, that is massively rewarding. There are so many things happening to be enraged, worried and sad about, but I think the more we can focus on community and fighting for what’s right together, the better our chances are. At no point should we give up.

Finally, what’s next for Artsick? Are you guys working on new material and do you have any upcoming shows you would like to shout out?

Mario and I have been recording a new Artsick album slowly but surely at his studio. I’m super excited about it. Mario is a bit of a recording genius on top of an amazing songwriter (check out his band, Kids On A Crime Spree if you haven’t already). He has a 16 track so we are recording analogue. I love the process and the sound of it. He is playing drums and some bass on this record. I feel very lucky to make songs with him. I learn a lot recording with him. It’s pretty inspiring and fun and really makes me want to be a better musician. I live almost two hours down the California coast in a small city called Seaside, so it’s challenging to get up to record in Oakland as much as I’d like to, especially with my parental responsibilities and our entire family living in Canada. We make it work though, and I really value when we get to work on music together and hang out. It’s a special treat also when Mike Schulman (Slumberland) comes to hangout. He recently made some incredible feedback for a couple of songs on the album. That guy is some crazy guitar noise wizard. It’s really amazing! Huge treat when he joins us live for it, too. 

We have a very special show coming up on March 15th in Santa Cruz, California as part of the celebration for Slumberland Records 35th anniversary. There is a really great record store in Santa Cruz called Redwood Records who have a nice selection, and have been super supportive of Artsick and the music scene in general. They are teaming up with Slumberland to present the show at The Crepe Place. 8PM $10. Lunchbox and Neutrals are playing as well, along with Kid Frostbite (Mike Schulman) spinning records throughout. Should be a blast!

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Artsick are Riley Riley (guitar/vocals) and Mario Hernandez (drums). Thank you so much to Riley for agreeing to speak with the blog. You can purchase Artsick’s benefit single for The Trevor Project here. The band’s debut album Fingers Crossed is available here.