While on tour with the band Paramore, The Linda Lindas from Los Angeles paid a visit to the Seattle radio station 90.3 FM to make their mark in its iconic studio performances. KEXP, “Where the Music Matters,” is a unique radio station because of its involvement with their community. The station has a coffee shop, record store, and an art gallery in the Gathering Space where music lovers can come and hang out. They occasionally hold shows in the Gathering Space, and they invite bands into their studios for performances that are open to the public as well as shared on YouTube for fans everywhere to see. On a recent trip to Washington, I was lucky enough to be a part of the 70-person viewing group for the performance given by The Linda Lindas. These riot grrrls left the studio audience in awe, powerfully playing a few of their songs, including “Growing Up,” “Fine,” and their newest single “Resolution/Revolution.”
The Linda Lindas are tiny but mighty, using their music to shed light on social injustices, amongst many other struggles and discomforts faced while on the rollercoaster of adolescence. Being a teen is tough enough, but being young Asian and Latin American women adds more to the mix. Spanning from ages 12-18, The Linda Lindas follow in the footsteps of bands like Bikini Kill — they aren’t afraid to express themselves or speak their mind, and they emanate girl power. As guitarist and vocalist Lucia mentioned to KEXP host Kennady Quille, “You don’t have to be an adult to believe in something.” Having blown up for their song “Racist, Sexist Boy,” it’s no surprise that The Linda Lindas have a lot to say, and they have no problem sharing their views on even the most uncomfortable subjects.
The Linda Lindas “take turns taking the reins,” and guitarist Lucia took the lead on vocals for the song “Growing Up.” The performance was fun and energetic, as the group danced and kicked up their boots while they rocked out. Lyrics like “lean on each other” and “we’ll dance without any cares” reflect how The Linda Lindas interact with each other and how they play. The friendship between the girls makes for good chemistry in their music and performance. While watching them perform, I noticed that they couldn’t stop smiling at each other. Their energy is magnetic — they pull each other into the music and they feed off of each other’s energy. They immerse their audience into a sparkling world of friendship, fun, and even a little bit of healthy rage.
Though the group is plenty playful, the more serious songs on their KEXP setlist revealed a sense of maturity and an awareness they have of the world they’re growing up in. The song “Fine,” sung by bassist Eloise displayed the raw and angsty side of The Linda Lindas. Even on crutches, Eloise commanded attention as she shouted the lyrics “You know we’re dying/But you say that we’re cured” and “It’s not fine” with her pals’ punchy instrumentals accompanying her. The performance put on by these young girls is impressive, not only because of how talented they are at such a young age, but because it contained everything that is loved about punk. These girls have guts, rawness, anger, and passion, and still they find joy in every minute of what they do. And, no one is the leader — there’s no hierarchy. Each of these girls has a point to make, and they provide each other the space and support to do so. Their unity gives them the strength to “right the wrongs” of the world. Songs like “Fine” and “Resolution/Revolution” really highlight the band’s best qualities because they are an expression of what the girls feel. They’re not overly concerned with polishing up or sounding pretty.
Though the group is young, their songs with complex themes and their lively performances prove that they have something meaningful to say, and they’ll make sure you hear them roar. Their youth gives them power, and it means that they’re able to make an impact in a way that others might not be able to. They offer a fresh perspective to the cherished genre of punk, the riot grrrl scene, and the myriad of issues that are a part of our everyday lives. The Linda Lindas are the new face of punk music, and it was special to see them play for KEXP because they are proof of music that matters.