Keep Going: An Interview with RIVALS
Photos and Interview by Kyla Hosoda
Rivals is a female led dark pop-rock band, based out of California. Their debut album Damned Soul was released earlier this year, and has already impacted a lot of people. The album comes out swinging with the emotionally charged “Over It”, which is about heartbreak and regrets, and the final track “To Leila”, which is about lead singer Kalie’s niece. It’s here where Kalie pours her heart out, and you can hear the rawness of her emotions in her vocals, delivered by her easily distinguishable and uniquely deep, raspy voice. Instrumentally, Micket, Josh, and Sebastian also flourish. Through this album, Rivals strive to raise awareness to mental health as well as maintaining a close, personal relationship with their fans that many bands don’t seem to have.
How did RIVALS come to be together as band?
Micket: So a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away me and Kalie went on a tour together. I was in a metal band. She was a photographer. I remembered her singing in the band one time, and a while later after that band broke up I was like, "Oh, we'll try something different." And I just made some music, sent it over to her, she sent me something back, and here we are.
Kalie: So then we were doing a bunch of local shows at the time and we ended up finding Seb through somebody he was dating in one of the bands. And then Josh has been on and off with us for awhile. Josh has been on and off with us for awhile so he's officially been an official member for six months.
Kalie, you used to be band photographer. What is it like to be in front of the camera rather than behind it?
Kalie: Much better. I don't know. I've always been the type of person who's been very outgoing in a sense, like out there. And so I think once we started doing this and it brought out another side of me that I knew was there. I just didn't necessarily know it was there. I knew, but I didn't know, and it was very in between. So, yeah.
What kind of message do you guys hope your fans are getting from your music?
Everyone: Keep going.
Kalie: No seriously, keep going. That's one of our biggest messages is like, "Don't give up. Don't quit. Work hard. Dedicate yourself.” Follow your dreams. Do what you want to do. It's a big, huge message for us.
What kind of message do you hope that other women learn from you as a source of inspiration?
Kalie: That anything's possible. It's just because you have a vagina doesn't mean you can't do something that somebody else can't express. I mean, really, you can do anything you want. Don't let something as simple as your gender stop you from doing something.
With social media being one of the most important things in today's society, it can easily make or break a band. How do you guys handle criticism that you receive?
Seb and Kalie: Ignore it.
Seb: Why pour gasoline on the fire?
Kalie: Not to sound like-- this is going to sound a little cocky, but we don't really get that much bad criticism. With the new record, it's been very positive for the most part. There's been a couple of things, but nothing crazy. It's been actually really, really positive and it seems like a lot of people really like the record, so it's kind of nice.
Josh: There was that one guy today, though, he was like, "This song is 95% good, but--"
Kalie: He was essentially saying if I was a man, it would be better. And I was like, you suck.
Josh: FYI, the vocals make up more than 5%.
Going back to the philosophy of Eyes Wide Love; Kalie, as a female lead singer in a male-dominated scene, what are some issues that you've faced while trying to make a name for yourself?
Kalie: Okay, I'm the merch girl. So tired of walking into a venue and everyone either assumes I'm someone's girlfriend or the merch girl, or something else, you know? Or security guards giving me a hard time, and it's like, "Dog, I sing in one of the bands." And I have to explain to them. Even if they're kind of cool about it, most of the time they end up just getting really embarrassed because I have to be like, "I'm in a band." And they're like, "Cool." I don't know. I think it's just embarrassing for everyone. It's embarrassing on my end. It's embarrassing on their end. And then it's just always kind of like, "Come on." I'm not someone's girlfriend, you know? I'm here for every other reason that everyone else is here. So, yeah.
What advice would you guys give to anyone going through any sort of hardship or depression?
Everyone: Keep going.
Seb: Speak your mind. Be honest when you're having a bad day or you're having a struggle. Talk to the people that you trust. Because that literally one conversation can--
Kalie: Have someone to talk to.
Seb: Yeah. Exactly. Like perfect example, the gentleman that Instagram messaged you, or us. He was saying all those really personal things. And if it wasn't for that one show--
Kalie: Yeah. Something I just had said on stage that night, this dude, I don't know, I guess whatever I said really helped him out emotionally. He was considering ending his life and whatever I said that night on stage, he came up to me after the show. I hugged him. I was like, "I'm always here to listen. I can't always give the best advice because I'm clueless on most things, but I can always listen and try to help, and at least try to comfort you in any way possible." I am only one person, but I can do it. I can do my best, so.
Alright, time for some fun questions. Who are some bands you dream of touring with?
Josh: Post Malone!
Kalie: Thirty Seconds to Mars, Bring Me The Horizon
Seb: Story of the Year.
Kalie: Architects. So let's just keep going. Let's just keep naming them... Imagine Dragons...Panic at the Disco. Oh, this is way more than three.
Micket: Fallout Boy. Slipknot.
Josh: Yellowcard.
Kalie: They would have to come back for that.
What is your favorite song on the album right now and why?
Kalie: Reflection.
Seb: Damned Soul. For the breakdown.
Micket: Keep Going, it's got a drum solo, and it's got a more upbeat tempo.
Josh: It’s honestly Leila. That's one of my favorites, honestly, for a lot of reasons. One, because it's so different than anything else. It's cool. It's synthy and vibey.
Kalie: Good driving song.
Kalie: Mine’s reflection. I think just the message in it. I was at a really dark point my life and my past, so it's just kind of nice to let it go.
Last one; what is the most random song on your current playlist?
Kalie: Oh, I have Seventh Element by Vitas, I've actually listened to it on my own, just because I like it.
Seb: Boy, by Willow.
Josh: Rose by Abra. She's an English R&B solo artist, and the whole record is so good, specifically that song, Rose.
RIVALS is:
Lead Vocalist- Kaile Wolfe
Bassist- Sebastian Chamberlin
Guitarist- Micket Woodle
Drummer- Josh Alves
Their debut album Dammed Soul is out now on any music streaming platform. They are currently on tour supporting The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus on The Awakening Tour.
Website: wearervls.com
Facebook: facebook.com/WeAreRVLS
Instagram: WeAreRVLS
Twitter: WeAreRVLS