Interview, photographs, and graphics by Abigail Albo
Following the success of their newest album Charmed, a timeless collection of hard hitting and relatable songs, Southern California-based band The Aquadolls hit the stage on the third and final day of the Ohana Festival. Joined by guitarist Jacob Melendez, The Aquadolls made for one of the most memorable and lively sets of the weekend.
(From left to right: Jackie Proctor, Melissa Brooks, Jacob Melendez, and Keilah Nina)
In the making of the Charmed universe, lead singer and guitarist Melissa Brooks, bassist Keilah Nina, and drummer Jackie Proctor took inspiration from illustration and late 90s/early 2000s movies.
Abigail Albo: Were you inspired by any art other than music when you were making Charmed?
Keilah Nina: For me there was a visual artist that I was really inspired by. Her Instagram is @artbylid. She does the cutest cartoons ever. When we were making a Pinterest board for the vibes, I put so much of her art into it.
Melissa Brooks: For movies, Ten Things I Hate About You, Freaky Friday.
Jackie Proctor: Uptown Girls.
Melissa Brooks: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
Melissa Brooks (above)
Living beside the music, there lies a collection of visuals that make the album even more beautiful, intentional, and otherworldly.
AA: Did you have the idea (for the cover) beforehand, or did it come about while you were shooting?
MB: Our good friend Jenna Houchin took all of our visuals, photos and music videos for the album. That picture (below) was taken on the "Beachy" shoot for the single. That was one of the photos that ended up being in the collage for the album.
KN: When she had sent the film I was like, “This needs to be the album cover. I want this to be the album cover.”
Photo Credits: Jenna Houchin // @jennahouchin
For The Aquadolls, inspiration often comes from personal experience.
AA: Was there a song on Charmed that is secretly meant for one person?
MB: Yes. I won't name names but “Sneaky” was definitely about someone.
JP: “Cut Throat” is about someone.
MB: “Any Place but Here” too.
JP: They don't deserve to be named.
MB: But thank you for the inspiration!
Keilah Nina (below)
A general and understandable frustration shared by rapid music consumers was brought up as well.
AA: Have you ever recommended a band to somebody and then they don't listen, then a few months later they go “Dude... you have to listen to this.”
KN: Me with Jackie every day of my entire life.
JP: Yeah, every day. It's never happened to me but I'm that person...You've both shown me music all the time. I try to send stuff but I forget... I don't even want to look at the list.
Jackie Proctor (above)
AA: Were there any bands you guys started listening to where you have that kind of individuality complex, like “I was listening to them before they were famous."
MB: I just keep thinking of Glitch Gum.
KN: In the TikTok age, any band from California in 2014 that's how I feel. With The Garden having seen them in backyards, I'm like "Yeah I saw them at their house so.”
MB: My neighbor is their manager. I hung out with Cowgirl Clue because they forgot to invite people to the video shoot, so we ended up just hanging out.
KN: Kim Petras, Surf Curse, Cherry Glazerr.
JP: Best Coast.
KN: We're from California. We were playing with them and watching them 10 years ago.
MB: It's crazy playing tiny warehouses to literally just my parents and The Garden's parents. 10 years later now they're popping off and I'm super proud of them...It's awesome to see people from Orange County and the local scene doing amazing, I love to see it.
KN: Also, randomly I feel like every boy that was in a band in Orange County is now a model. Every band that we used to play with they're in Italy modeling for Gucci. What's going on?!
Following the theme of Charmed, named after the classic TV show, the group shares the shows they would want to make a guest appearance in.
JP: The Powerpuff Girls.
MB: I can only think of older shows like Jersey Shore.
KN: Anything to get close to Ayo (Edebiri). I wanna be on The Bear. I’d be like “Yes, Chef.’”
Jacob Melendez: Seinfeld is a big one.
MB: If they bring back The Vampire Diaries, they should have us. We’d be a band playing in the forest.
KN: If they still did Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, because they had a band in that show.
MB: We could be the prom band.
In honor of the festival environment, especially in close proximity to their hometown, the band draws up their dream lineup and recommends local bands below.
Finally, based on their iconic fashion onstage and off, the group answers a very seasonal inquiry.
AA: Do you guys know what you're going to be for Halloween yet?
JP: Justin Bieber.
KN: Jacob and I are going to be Tenacious D. I'm going to be Kyle Gass and Jacob is going to be Jack Black.
MB: I was lowkey thinking about being a sexy Jigsaw. I was considering it.
So in acknowledgment of the witching month, gather your best friends, worst enemies, and all your mild acquaintances and listen to Charmed today!
