Get to know the ladies from La Fonda in this interview! They are is a lyrically driven indie dream pop collective from Seattle, led by sisters and singer-songwriters Veronica and Valerie Topacio. We are thrilled that they will be playing at Standard Goods for September Art Walk! Their sound is nostalgic, nodding to the 90's and early 2000's, the era that the sisters grew up in. Learn more abelow and be sure to come by Thursday September 13th to hear them live!
Where did you come up with the name La Fonda?
There is a Jane Fonda Record hanging next to our practice space door at the Old Rainier Brewery that has been there ever since we moved in. "La Fonda" sort of slipped out of our tongue one day after one of our earlier band practices. In true millennial form, we looked up the word "Fonda" on Urban Dictionary and saw that it was defined as one who was "Down for Anything," so we were sold.
Who are some of your musical icons or influences?
This is always a tough question to answer because we are lucky to be consuming in an age of never-ending artistry and music... but to name a few: Stevie Nicks, Carol King, Amy Winehouse, Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley, Modest Mouse, No Doubt, Cranberries, Death Cab for Cutie, Alvvays... the list goes on and on...
Can you recall the age you were when you first realized creating music was something you loved doing?
Music has always been a very big part of our lives since as far back as we can remember. We were blessed with a household that encouraged singing at the top of our lungs, playing whatever instrument you could get our hands on, and song writing from a young age. It wasn't until four or five years ago when we realized that singing and writing songs was what we needed to be doing for our souls, so that is when we started taking creating music seriously and using it as a compass to guide and navigate the direction of our lives.
What era inspires you the most?
Nostalgia inspires us. We are drawn to the 90s & early 2000s, for this time encapsulates our childhood and lives in the fabric of our beings as we work to find our way amidst a digitalized society. We used to watch TRL religiously after school and obsess over movies like "10 things I hate about you" and "She's All That". We made our friends & cousins who came over to our house play our own version of MTV's "Say What? Karaoke" and make up dance routines to Ace of Base and TLC with us. We love entertaining and turning art into a song...made even better if space buns, chokers, fishnets, and knee highs are included.
When you write a new song, how do you get started?
It varies. Sometimes we work on things separately then come together, or we spend months and months jamming on a few ideas before it actually becomes anything at all. Other times songs reveal themselves in 5 minutes. We both religiously carry around journals everywhere we go and coming together in the living room is always a special place. We could spend hours just jamming sifting through notebook pages, going back and forth until we give each other "the look" of "hey...maybe this could be something."
Has La Fonda brought you closer as sisters? Do you ever butt heads?
We are closer than we have ever been. Music is the way we communicate and entangles and enriches our sisterhood. There is nothing more magical than sharing a dream with your sister, that person who knows your life better than sometimes we know our own selves. We feel extremely blessed to have La Fonda as a shared platform and vision...for our songs truly do light the way for us to heal and connect. The nice thing about working with family is when we butt heads (boy, do we ever) we get over things easily knowing that our intention is always in the best interest of each other.
Tell us the story behind your new single In The Summer?
This is one of those songs that we kept jamming on for months & months until it finally came together. It's about a love that has kept coming in and out of your life and then finally, you just have to let it go and be okay with what it was. There will always be that feeling of "what if" and it is okay to smile about that sometimes.
How many hours a day do you spend practicing?
Depends on the day - As a band we meet 2x/week and can practice for 3-4 hours. Individually, we practice as much as we possibly can. I think we are all pretty much thinking and dreaming about something music related 24/7.
Where do you see your career going in the future?
The more time and resources we pour into our dream of being full-time creatives and musicians, the more it seems to be becoming a reality. La Fonda is a big part of our future and ultimately, there is nothing we want more than to continue to tour and share our music with as many places and people that we possibly can.
Any exciting upcoming gigs?
None that we can announce...but we are excited to be caving up this fall and winter continuing work on recording & producing our debut Album. We are stoked!!!