Broke Boyz From Fresno
Hey everyone it's Martin from the Broke Boyz From Fresno Podcast, my goal here is to entertain, inspire, and uplift our community. I'm all about keeping it real, sharing my daily struggles, and motivating others who might be going through the same. Join me as we navigates life’s challenges, supports one another, and builds a stronger, more connected community together.
Broke Boyz From Fresno
A Community College Poster Sparked A Touring Rock Band
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A San Gabriel Valley alt punk band shares how a campus flyer became a touring lineup, why LA competition forces smarter booking, and how grit beats hype when crowds are thin. We rotate through Casey, Angel, Aiden, and Kiwi to hear origins, influences, and road stories.
• forming the band through community college flyers and local ties
• defining a sound across alternative punk, groove, and hardcore
• booking DIY tours with promoters and research
• playing empty rooms before backyard shows pack out
• navigating LA’s crowded calendar and big-act competition
• growth mindset versus viral myths and overnight success
• handling sickness on tour and performance anxiety
• favorite stops in SF, Reno, Phoenix, and California hubs
• instruments, influences, and why drums challenge beginners
• homesickness, van life, and keeping morale high
• future goals for Seattle, Chicago, New York, and Canada
• practical advice on consistency, showing up, and persistence
You can find them on Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr, and Facebook @vonsisland
Music is on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Deezer, and Tidal.
Follow us @ brokeboyz_ff on Instagram and TikTok
Intro Music by Rockstar Turtle- Broke Boyz (999)
Christmas Intro Song by Nico
Meet Vaughn’s Island
SPEAKER_03What's up, everybody? Welcome back to another episode of the Rogue Boys. I'm Martin. I'm DJ. And today we got a special guest, a rock band group, correct? Please introduce yourself to everybody that's listening and everybody that's watching.
SPEAKER_04My name is Casey, and I'm from Vaughn's Island.
SPEAKER_03And this is all your guys' uh crew, right? Yes. Perfect. Um, so like I told uh like I was telling you earlier, I'm gonna do uh interview one by one. Casey, thank you for reaching out to me. I appreciate it. Uh, we were talking a little bit briefly, uh, just that you you found my page because you like doing community outreach. Uh, it means a lot to me that you did reach out. Um, so please tell everybody that's listening where are you from? Where's your whole
Origins In San Gabriel Valley
SPEAKER_03band from?
SPEAKER_04Um, for the most part, we're all from the San Gabriel Valley in California. I'm from Arcadia. If we have other members, uh one also from Arcadia, one from Monterey Park, one from Mount Hambra. So we're all just kind of like within 20, 30 minutes of each other. So it kind of works out pretty well.
SPEAKER_03Okay, so do you guys how'd you guys meet one another?
SPEAKER_04Uh community college.
SPEAKER_03Really?
SPEAKER_04Yeah. I would put up like posters up at school and just kind of like looking for band members and like these are my inspirations and stuff like that. So yeah.
SPEAKER_03That's tight. That's beautiful to hear. What got you into uh wanting to start your own band?
SPEAKER_04Uh it's just kind of like it's always just been my dream, and it's also kind of like the only thing I'm really that good at. Um uh but yeah, I got like I used to watch like YouTube videos of bands like all the time, like growing up, and it was kind of like I want to be on a stage like that. Right. But it's just like and be able to do it for a living, it just sounds amazing.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, who was your favorite band growing up?
SPEAKER_04Uh like Nirvana.
SPEAKER_03Nirvana, okay. That was a big one for me. Is that like a huge inspiration for the kind of music you guys make now?
SPEAKER_04Um, a little, maybe in the more beginning. Okay, but you know, like as you kind of progress, you kind of have to have like one thing that you do, right?
SPEAKER_03That sets you apart from everybody else.
SPEAKER_04Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Okay. What what would you say your actual genre of music is?
Influences And Finding A Sound
SPEAKER_04Um alternative punk is kind of what we've been going with, but we have like elements of like groove or hardcore. It's just it's just kind of like we're not really trying to make one genre, right? We're just like kind of making music and putting our own spin on it, you know.
SPEAKER_03Okay, word. Respect it, respect it. That's pretty cool seeing so many different talents from different areas being able to come together as a group. And I mean, now look at you guys, you guys are touring, it's crazy. Right. Uh is there any place that you want to perform at?
Touring Goals And First Markets
SPEAKER_04Um well, I'm there are places back home, like um, we have like our bigger venues that like the way bigger bands play, like the Echo, yeah, or maybe like the Fox Theater. Right. Uh Hollywood Palladium. Okay. Stuff like that. But um, you know, we've only played we've played in almost every like California major city. Okay. And then we've played in Phoenix, and on this tour, we just came from Reno too.
SPEAKER_03Dang. So you guys have been touching my good amount of the area. Yeah. Okay.
SPEAKER_04But if I were to go anywhere, we've never played in like Seattle, so I definitely want to go there. Chicago sounds amazing. Yeah, yeah. Or like I've never been to New York either, so I'd kind of I'd really want to make a trip out of that. So that's tight.
SPEAKER_03That's tight. And and touring, is it easy to get into?
DIY Booking And Promoters
SPEAKER_03How how was the process? No, that was hard.
SPEAKER_04Uh well, you're kind of like take into account like you can reach out like to the promoters and stuff, like local promoters. Right. Uh and they help out a lot. Like, they're great. But you know, like when you don't have a promoter, or even when you do have a promoter, and you you have to like find the talent, right? Like call the band, which one bring an audience, which ones don't. You just kind of have to know. And it's it's a lot of research and a lot of like outside world experience, you know. Like, you never know if you're like, my AC broke and I had to fix it today. So it's just random stuff like that. Right, right.
SPEAKER_03What was it like performing at your first venue? Like, were you nervous, bro? Like, was there very little people in the crowd? Like, what was the experience like?
SPEAKER_04Um, I feel like on this tour or just in general?
SPEAKER_03Just in general when you first started your band.
SPEAKER_04Um I was, you know, like you get nervous, but the thing is, like, when you first start out, no one really knows about you. Right. So it kind of builds itself up. So like in the beginning, you're playing. So we're actually our second time at Fresno. Oh. Because we played here uh
Early Shows And Crowd Growth
SPEAKER_04by the college, maybe like two years ago, and we played to absolutely nobody. Right, right, right. So like all like the kind of like nervousness. It's not like you go from playing to nobody to playing to like 20, 30 people, like it builds up and it gets easier.
SPEAKER_03What's the most amount of people that you've booked in a single venue?
SPEAKER_04Uh like how many we've played to? Yeah. Um well, back home, like in the Inland Empire, like in Riverside, the like the garage, like the backyard parties go crazy. Okay. So um maybe 70, 80, okay.
SPEAKER_03Okay, yeah. And that's even that's an insane number to think about because like imagine seeing 70 to 80 people in front of you performing and they're all cheering you on. Yeah, especially in somebody's backyard. 80 people in a backyard is crazy. Yeah, um, but I think that's cool. Like seeing how a band can come together, make good music
Competing In The LA Scene
SPEAKER_03that the city can promote or that people in the community really like. And I know it's hard because there's so many bands, it's very hard.
SPEAKER_04Um, especially in LA.
SPEAKER_03Especially in LA with that being said, yeah. Is there any city that you guys have gone to that you're just like, we just can't pick up the the community of LA. LA, right?
SPEAKER_04Well, it is just like really competitive, you know. Every show you play, there's probably like four other that night. Okay, yeah. Like maybe two local, and then like maybe Blink 182 is in town or some like random rabbit like that. Okay, yeah.
SPEAKER_03So then it takes a majority of the crowd away.
SPEAKER_04Yeah. That's real. For the most part, uh like LA's uh San Diego can be kind of hard to pull with. But other than that, like every city, you know, we've played in Reno, we played in San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton, like all those cities are great. Right.
Reality Of Growth And Social Media
SPEAKER_04So going to all these different places has it changed your mind about the trajectory of where you want to take it at? I mean a little bit. Um, it's always kind of been like, you know, I want to do this for the rest of my life. It's just it hasn't changed the trajectory of like where I see it going. It's just kind of been like, oh, this is the reality of it. You know, like nothing happens, you know, stuff happens overnight, but you're like a TikTok star if that happens. So I mean, yeah, it's not overnight. And there are times where you kind of be like, man, I really want to work on this, but like, there's nothing you can really do.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, what's really crazy is it's the difference between seeing a band and then seeing the social media part of them like really blowing up. Oh, yeah. But then in person, it's like two different worlds.
SPEAKER_04It's like, holy snap. Like, it's not what you would expect, but I think it's crazy because you guys continue to go no matter how many people are in the menu, no matter whether it sells out or not, like being able to keep that fire under you, what inspires you to keep going? Um I don't know.
Motivation, Roles, And Band Dynamics
SPEAKER_04It's like a tough question. Yeah, you kind of have to not not to be like uh weird choice of words, you kind of just have to have balls, you know? Yeah, like you just want to like you see it and you just kinda want to grab it. Yeah. So like obviously like we've seen not obviously, but like we've had improvements as a band. We've had like up and downs, and I I love chasing that.
SPEAKER_05Yeah.
SPEAKER_04So like we're a lot bigger than we were like two years ago, so we've seen improvement. But yeah, I just want to kind of like improve as far as we can and made me like be able to do this for a living.
SPEAKER_03Got it, got it. Yeah, that's a good thing. So, what did what instrument do you play for the band?
SPEAKER_04Um, I do the potholes and I'm brilliant guitar. Nice, nice.
SPEAKER_03So, seeing seeing your group, are you like technically like the leader of everybody?
SPEAKER_04I mean, I don't see myself as a leader. I do like the booking and I'll do the social media, but I mean, we work as a group. Like we wouldn't survive without each other. Yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_03And that's a good thing to see it because a lot of people have that selfish mentality sometimes to be like, well, you know, things gotta run, be run through me. But that's a beautiful thing that you guys are all together and and and willing to work each other, uh almost like leaning on one another whenever shit needs to get done.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I've heard I'm kind of like the worst like that, anyways, because I'm the only only I'm the only one who's an only child out of everyone. I hear that I have only child syndrome a lot.
SPEAKER_03Well, that can be a good thing sometimes. Yeah. But I mean, that's insane. Like being a part of a band, you guys are touring different places. I what do you tell, like, what does your family say whenever you're like, oh, we're gonna go to Reno this time to go and do a tour? Like, I feel like they kind of got used to it. Okay.
SPEAKER_04You know, like uh, I'll tell my family, like back home, I'll be like, oh, we're performing in like Compton or something like that. And at first they were kind of like, oh my god. And uh but I always kept hope safe, so I feel like they just kind of got used to it. Right. And you know, like when you do go, like we've been on the road now for like a week and a half.
SPEAKER_05Okay.
SPEAKER_04So it's still we're still kind of new. This is only our second time leaving. So last time, last time we only hit uh we only went up to like Sacramento and we hit like San Luis Obispo and you kind of came home. Um but being on the road is can be scary. Like on our way up to Reno, like we hit the snowstorm and I almost like kind of
Angel’s Path To Bass
SPEAKER_04drove off a mountain.
SPEAKER_03But yeah, that's scary as far as it's so scary, but like it's it's stories to be told, you know.
SPEAKER_04I feel like that's kind of like my motivation too, is I just want to have stories to tell people, you know. Right. Do you ever get homesick? A little bit, a little bit, uh but like it's kinda yes and no. Yeah. There are time, obviously, like since we're all dudes and there's just we're always like with each other, there's times like I'm I want to fight someone so bad. Like, we get through it, it's been cool. Like, I like my alone time, but I already know I'm just gonna get it when I get home. So I don't really I don't mind kind of being out here, you know.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. Well, is there any inspirations that you want to tell anybody that's listening that's wanting to start up a fan or just go out there and perform?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, like just do it. Like, not even starting a fan, like I'll see people that are being like tell some people at shows that are fans, they'll be like, I wanna I always wanted to learn guitar. When I was a kid, I played drums and I just never got through with it or something like that. Like, if you want to do it, just do it.
SPEAKER_03Hell yeah, I like that, man. Let's go ahead and get somebody else to come in here and introduce yourself. Thank you, uh Casey, for coming on and reaching out, man. Nice meeting you, brother. Thank you. You too. And then uh go ahead. Yo, yo, you hear us good? Yes, sir. Okay, perfect. My name is Martin. What's going on? Angel. Angel. Nice to meet you, DJ. DJ, nice to meet you. All right, Angel. Well, tell us tell us your story, man. Like, how'd you guys uh come all together? I know he kind of gave us a little background of his, but I would love to hear from your side. Yeah, uh pretty much like uh well, the male, the way I met uh Casey was we're uh he's had a bunch of flyers for PCC at the college I was going to at the time. And like sure enough, I was as I was leaving class, it seemed like they needed a bass player. So I was like, all right, cool, I'll check it out. And that's pretty much how I met this dude was through the like pretty much as a flyering and like especially through school. Nice, nice. But so grow growing up, did you always
Stage Nerves, Sickness, And Grit
SPEAKER_03want to be a performer or either? Yeah, for the most part, I had a like I had a lot of family that was in bands already, and like I got to I was able to go see uh like adolescents and like a amieba when I was like in when I was like 11 or 12. So I think seeing that at a really like young age, I was like, oh damn, like I think I want to do this. Like I don't think I could see myself working in nine to five. Like that's real. When did you first start playing the bass guitar? Uh I started playing actually when I was like like maybe like around 10 years old. We had like a music class in uh at the school I went to at the time, right? And I learned off the uh the upright. So I was like, so that was pretty much how I learned. But I think, yeah, around like 10 years old, that's when I like picked it up. Saying, is there any uh other instruments that you play? Uh for the most part, bass guitar, guitar, a little bit of piano, but for the most part, just bass guitar. Is there anything that you want to learn that you haven't drum? I'm like, it's just drums like the I give it to Kiwi because I'm like, as in another band, he sings and replays drums, yeah, and I'm like, dude, like I don't know how he does it, but I'm like, yeah, drums and drums for sure. I think I want a big one for me to learn. Okay, word, word. And so I want to ask you the same thing that I asked him. Do you ever get homesick being on these tours? Uh sometimes I think it just like depends. Like these dudes are kind of getting a little sick, the weather, like the road's starting to get to them. So I think they're ready to go home. But I think for me, it's uh not not so much anymore. I think I I like going to place to place and playing like the our music for the most part. Okay. Not really, yeah. So far in the tour, which one was your favorite place to go performing? San Francisco. San Francisco was really dub. Like seeing, because we have we've never actually played in the Bay like that, and being in like downtown and like just being in that scene with like I'm a really big fan of Flip Vernon, and like he's from the Bay, so I was like, oh man, this is like big homage almost. Right. It was really cool, yeah. That's right, man. That's right. Heck yeah. So with that being said, was there ever a moment in time where you guys had to perform and you just felt like you weren't ready? Uh I think when we're sick, like sometimes on the tours, we get pretty like, I don't know what it is, but someone gets sick, and then it's friends. Yeah, so usually like we'll tell each other, like, just thug it out, man, and then when we get to hotel or whatever, just trash out, knock it out. But usually, yeah, well, for the most part, we just tell each other, stug it out, man. Like, baby, we'll be all right. When were you feeling in your very
Consistency And Wanting It
SPEAKER_03first uh showing? Uh I think just ready, really, ready. Like, uh especially uh on the way up here. We drove through the storm through Mammoth Mountain. Yeah. So it was like gnarly, and like we were like, by then we were like, dude, let's just play the show. Like, let's, let's, let's, we're ready. Like, let's get it. That's good energy to go with, bro, because I feel like me personally, if I perform in front of a bunch of people, my anxiety would take over. Oh, yeah. Absolutely. And I think that's the number one thing that really crumples a lot of artists, is whether you're gonna let that anxiety take over you or you're gonna just play it out. Yeah, yeah. And that's insane, man. Hey, kudos to you, bro. You do a lot of things that people wish they could do. No, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you for that. Of course, of course. Absolutely, man. Is there something that you would like to tell anybody that's trying to get into this or you know, some words of inspiration or even encouraging? I think uh for the most part, just stick to it. I think consistency and show, especially like people that are barely starting a new band or getting into it, just show that you want it. Show that, you know, go to the shows, go to play shows, like you know, be consistent. I think that's the biggest part. And then like we're from LA too, so like when you for playing LA, it's always like uh there's always um like a battle almost like uh consistent, like who you're trying to play with, or if you have like Oasis playing down the street or like whoever, like just show that you want it. I think that's a big one. Like, be consistent. Absolutely, man. And for you, like what keeps you motivated every day to you know come in and execute at the top. This in general, I think what we're doing right now, playing the shows. I think just going to city to city, just showing, doing it for what it is. That's that's a big inspiration line. Especially like when these dudes get sick or whatever, I'm like, that's fine, that's fine. Come on, you'll be fine, you'll be fine. All right, fine. I think just the thrill of it, and then like because like a normal job, you wouldn't do this. Yeah, you're not you're not really so. I think being able to tell the stories and going home and being like, damn, that was a lot of fun. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. That's amazing, man. That's great to hear. You have such a great spirit, Jesus. You're definitely the one that everyone leans on to be like, come on, bro. Like, let's stuck it out together. Come on. Let's do it. Last go, man. Like, you'll be fine. You'll be fine. Yep, when you get home, you'll put you on it, bro. Absolutely, you got it. Well, with that being said, man, we thank you for having us, having you on there. Thank you for having me, man. Thank you. Of course, if you want to go ahead and pull the next member, let them know. Um, we're gonna be having a next member on, so let me go ahead and interview them, see how they're doing, okay? Thank you, Aiden. Thanks for being here. Appreciate you.
Aiden On Guitar And Influences
SPEAKER_03Okay. All right, Aiden. Um, please uh tell us what um instrument you played with the band.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so I do lead guitar and backing vocals. Nice.
SPEAKER_03Okay, word. And when did you first start playing the guitar?
SPEAKER_02Um I think I remember the exact day or like the ex of the month. I think it was February 2018. Dang. Big okay. Because I remember I think I started like at the winter break before um I got into eighth grade. Okay, got it. In seventh grade.
SPEAKER_03Got it, got it. Dude, he said 2018. I'm thinking like that's the year I graduated. Like, wait a minute, eighth grade is crazy, right? Um, so you you learned on an electric guitar. Like, did you buy it? Was it something that was handed down to you? Was it like a no?
SPEAKER_02So it wasn't handed down, but yeah, basically I've been I had been wanting to play guitar for a while. Right. Um, so my parents took me to a Sam Ash. Um and I was I just got one of those, you know, those like cheap little fender uh practical like uh beginner's kits. Yeah, okay, gotcha.
SPEAKER_03I learned on that. Gotcha. Okay, we're man. So how did you meet uh your your band? Like I asked the I'm I've been asked the question, but I want to see from your perspective, from your point of view. Like sure.
SPEAKER_02Uh yeah, the way I met them, so basically a couple of years ago, right after I graduated high school, I was visiting the local like community college that I was planning on going to.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Uh just like during the summer before I actually went to the school, you know, to check it out. Um and yeah, while I was walking around, I saw a flyer that that Casey had put up for uh I think I was looking for uh lead guitarist and vocalist or vocalist. Right. Um and so basically I just hit him up and he was like, Yeah, that sounds cool. Uh we just need to find a drummer first, but we'll hit you up later. Right. Uh and then they found Kiwi, he hits me back up. I go in for an audition, and that's kind of how it goes.
SPEAKER_03Oh, okay, there you go. So, how how long have you guys been in a group? Two years already? Two, three years? Yeah, around two years, yeah. Okay, which one is your favorite places that you guys have performed at?
SPEAKER_02That's hard to say. Um honestly, if you played a venue or like a hotel a few days ago called uh music city. Was that the hotel? I don't remember.
SPEAKER_03I was gonna say you performed in a hotel, that sounds crazy, right?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it was weird.
SPEAKER_03Was it like in the lobby? Was it did they have their own venue space?
SPEAKER_02Or I'm trying to remember. I have a bad memory. You're good. No, yeah.
SPEAKER_03I I just heard that and I'm like, oh my god. Like, could you imagine walking into a hotel as there's so a wild band playing? That's that's sick. That is sick. Um and I'm gonna ask you the same question I asked these guys. Being on the road and going on tour, have you been homesick at all?
SPEAKER_02I don't honestly, I think we've like we've done it so much, I've kind of gotten used to it.
SPEAKER_03Okay.
SPEAKER_02Um, I'm not necessarily not necessarily homesick, but like I do miss my cat a bit. Yeah, right. Like it would be nice to sleep in my own bed because I've been mostly sleeping on the ground.
SPEAKER_03Hey, hey, it's like that sometimes. It's the struggles of it, right? It is, it is that's that's the fun part, you know? Right.
Homesick, Road Life, And Ambitions
SPEAKER_03Yeah, so how long is the tour?
SPEAKER_02This tour, I think it's like eight days, like basically a week, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Okay, okay. No, I can understand that too. Yeah, that's probably the second day I'd be like, all right, bro, I need my bed. Yeah, that's real. That's real.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we left last Tuesday, so exactly a week ago.
SPEAKER_03Gotcha, gotcha. And was there a specific band that really inspired you growing up? Um or artist or anything?
SPEAKER_02For sure. I mean, I listened to a lot of that's it. I listened to a lot of Black Vale Brides. Okay, yeah. So I definitely looked up to them a lot. Right. Uh, I don't know if I'd say they fully inspired me. Right. In terms of like guitarists and stuff that did inspire me. Uh Sinister Gaze from Avengers Unfold.
SPEAKER_03Gotcha.
SPEAKER_02He's one of my big like my favorite guitarists in terms of like playing style.
SPEAKER_03Okay. It's crazy. I wouldn't have been I would not have known that name if it weren't for my sister. If you're watching this, she knows all about that. Um but okay, word, word. And then is there any instrument that you haven't learned to play that you do want to learn? Ooh.
SPEAKER_02I've been wanting to learn drums. It'd be fun to pick up the piano again because I did piano as a kid, but I don't want to like any of it, you know?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. Okay, word. And that's interesting because uh we've talked to somebody before that said the the drum, the drums were the easiest thing that he ever learned. Yeah, what's your perspective on that? Is it easy? Is it complicated? Um for drums, yeah.
SPEAKER_02Uh from the little I have tried, it does seem pretty hard, just like the I don't know, like because it's a lot of maneuvering, yeah. It's like each limb has to do like an individual thing, and that can be like a bit confusing, right? Um, but also just I don't know, I haven't been able to been able to put that much time into like practicing it or anything because I live in an apartment, you know. Yeah, no, I get you. I get you.
SPEAKER_03That's real. I don't think I could ever see myself playing the drums. I mean, my hand-eye coordination is horrible. I'd probably end up throwing the stick somewhere, but um with that being said, man, um, where is a place that you guys inhabit for that you do want to go?
SPEAKER_02Ooh, it'd be fun to go to the East Coast at some point. Or um I would also like to play Canada. Canada, Canada would be sick, which is really pretty, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03I don't blame you. I don't blame you. If there was a band that you could perform alongside with, or let's just say um open for, is there a specific band that you would like to?
SPEAKER_02Maybe like knocked loose or bring me the horizon. I like a lot.
SPEAKER_03Bring me the horizon would be crazy. Yeah, that would be an insane experience. Oh my goodness. Okay, well, um, with that being said, man, it was nice having you on. If you want to go ahead and bring the next guy on, it was nice meeting you, brother.
SPEAKER_02Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_03Thank you. Thank you for coming on there. Sure.
SPEAKER_01Hello, hello. How you doing, man?
SPEAKER_03My name is Martin.
SPEAKER_01My name's Kiwi. Kiwi? Kiwi, yeah. DJ, nice to meet you, Kiwi. What's up?
SPEAKER_03Kiwi is your actual name or is a nickname?
SPEAKER_01No, it's a nickname. My name's actually like Lokwei. It's uh it's Taiwanese, but uh um everybody calls you Kiwi. Yeah, yeah. Remember, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Gotcha. Where'd you get that nickname
Kiwi’s Drumming Journey
SPEAKER_03or who gave it to you?
SPEAKER_01Um, so like my actual name is spelled L-O, and then there's a space and then K-U-E-I. Okay. And when you typed in the K-U-E-I part, it would auto-correct into Kiwi. And so that's how that kind of happened. Yeah. Okay, yeah.
SPEAKER_03That's tight, man. So I I asked the question to all your band members. Um, how was it that you guys met? And I want to get everyone's different perspective of it.
SPEAKER_01Oh, so uh I they ordered me straight from the drum factory, actually. Uh brand new, out of the box. No, I'm just kidding. Um, so basically, for me at least, um I had known about Vaughn's Island before, um, but it was like it was one of my ex-girlfriends actually that saw like they were posting like posters or like uh on their story about like looking for a drummer because their last drummer quit. Right. And so uh she sent it to me, and then I was like, okay, I'm interested. Right. And so I try to win her heart back. No, no, that's uh that's over long. But uh yeah, and then I just tried out and then they were like, Yeah, we're gonna keep it in that.
SPEAKER_03That's fine. So um are the drums easy to learn? Easy to learn, I'd say because I've I've we've we've had somebody that say that the drum was the easiest instrument that you've ever learned and all that. Um but I want to give you guys your perspective on it.
SPEAKER_01In my opinion, because I've taught drums before, I actually uh do like a side gig as a teacher. Nice. So, like for me, in terms of like just like starting out, drums is probably the hardest to grasp as like a concept because it's just like it takes the longest from when you start to like when you play something and sounds like music. Right, right. Because like in for most like noted instruments, you could play a few simple notes and it would sound like a song, right? But for drums, it takes from like day one to like actually playing a f full song all the way fully through, it's gonna take like at least I'd say like a few months to it's more about persistency more than like trying to pick up a specific note or or anything of that sound. Yeah,
Are Drums Easy Or Hard
SPEAKER_01it's uh the thing about drums is a lot, it's a lot more physical, I think, right in terms of like because you do have to build up those muscles, you have to build up like speed and like power and stuff, and it's that's also a little bit like mentally challenging too. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. I was gonna say, has there ever been a time where you were performing and you felt like your muscle just burning and you're just like, dude, I can't wait to stop.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, actually, uh the last performance we did, I'm kind of getting going we're a cold. We went to like um Reno, right? And it was like snow and blizzarding, right? And like I was like, I I got sick immediately, right? Right, yeah, and so like it was kind of like during the worst of it. I I could not play, but uh no, I was playing, but like my muscles were just like giving out like way easier than usual.
SPEAKER_03But yeah, we're hoping for a speedy recovery. You guys are almost done with your tour. You guys got how many more days? Two more?
SPEAKER_01Uh one more. This is our last one, and then our next one uh tomorrow will be the the home show, gotcha, which I guess can count so yeah, two two more shows.
SPEAKER_03Man, that's a long time coming. Haven't you been homesick yet?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. I miss my girlfriend. That's real. That's real. I miss my dog too. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Well, hopefully. Um my bad, dude. I didn't know. You're good. You're good, you're good. Go for it, go for it. Um, so we're winning out of my way out, bro. My bad, bro. Um, I'm trying to think of my bad. Um, throughout the tour, which has been your favorite uh place to perform at?
SPEAKER_01Um for me, I think it's Reno, because like Reno has been something like that I'm really not used to, I think. Right. It's for first of all, it's the only one we went out of state. Right. And so like it was it was kind of it was pretty
Reno, Storms, And Recovery
SPEAKER_01fun. And like the drive there was like crazy too. Yeah. And Reno is a is a great spot, it has a great community, has uh great spots to play. Yeah, that's cool.
SPEAKER_03So when you guys are touring, I I I meant to ask this earlier with everybody. Did you guys uh go to a specific area and be like, oh, we should try the food here, or oh, we should try doing something here before we go to the next location?
SPEAKER_01Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Um in SF in San Francisco, we definitely went to uh Pier 39 in the Fisherman's Wharve and we tried the clam chowder there. Nice, or at least I did. That was that was pretty good. Yeah, pretty fire. Yeah. And uh yesterday we went to Santa Cruz. We were in San Jose actually, but uh we went to Santa Cruz Pier and like uh we checked out all the all the stuff there. And I also got another clam chowder because I was sick and I needed something hot.
SPEAKER_00It hills of stone, yeah.
SPEAKER_03I don't think I've ever had a bad clam chowder bowl, but I got a question. Did you get the bread bowl? Yes, actually, yeah. I think it was that's Mandy. I know some people that don't get the clam chowder and not get the bowl. Like that. I'm just like, that's diabolical. We gotta get the sound of our bread with at that point, tossed the soup away. Like literally. Um with that being said, is there a place that you haven't toured yet that you would like to go to?
SPEAKER_01Um, we've been in the talks about uh Canada, like literally anywhere, like sometimes Mexico too. But uh I
Food Stops And Small Joys
SPEAKER_01think for us, at least that Canada is way more doable. Right, right, right. That's understanding.
SPEAKER_03Right at the moment, right, right, right. I think Canada would be amazing. I mean, there's a lot of supportive people out there. I feel like that would welcome you guys in and be like, yo, we got another van from California that's gonna be coming out here. And yeah, another thing I wanted to ask, um being where you're from, do you find it very competitive to try and find spots to perform at?
SPEAKER_01Um at the beginning, yes, be when there's like really nowhere, nobody that really knows your name. Right. But like as you get more and more, you play more and more, the people like that book shows actually like get to know you more. It's you more and more opportunities just like starting start opening up for you. But yeah, at the beginning, when you have like nothing, when you try and just just like take a shot in the dark, it's kind of Hard to be like a shape at a beginning, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Gotcha, gotcha. And was there ever a time that made you feel like, man, like I don't know if this is made for me, or was there ever a time that made you feel like like doubt? You do yeah, like doubting yourself, anything like that?
SPEAKER_01Um our very, very first tour. Actually, I'm in another band called Glass Gen. We did like
Breaking In And Building Reputation
SPEAKER_01uh our very very first tour. That one only went up to like uh North House SF area, but I got sick immediately on the on that tour. I yeah, I'm I have the worst luck with getting sick on tour. But like, yeah, but um, no, that was just temporary. That was just like okay, we had to cancel the last two shows of that tour too. Okay. But uh, but at the time I was like, oh, it's just gonna be like, but it was just that that tour, and then everything else was like easy going.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, so you you're not really too worried about the anxiety of playing in front of a bunch of people or anything like that. Oh no, no, no.
SPEAKER_01I've been I've been doing music for most of my life. I started playing drums at like five years old. Oh wow, yeah. Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_03I don't even know what I was doing at five years old, bro. Playing with my Thomas the train set. My goodness. But okay, well, kudos to you, man. That's an amazing thing to pick up, especially at such a young age. Thank you. I feel like uh some people have an artistic skill that they're able to pick up at a very young age and just stick with it. And so this day I'm trying to figure that part out for myself. I don't know what it is just yet, but I guess we'll figure it out when I get there. But uh yeah, man, that's crazy. Is there an instrument that you feel like you do want to pick up that you don't play yet?
SPEAKER_01And if you like what you hear, it'd be done more, but if you don't, just stay back there. Like when I when I do songwriting, I'd usually do bass, and of course, guitar always helps with everything, but uh yeah, I dabble in those a little bit, but not not really. I I'd want to get like better at those too bass and guitar.
SPEAKER_03Okay, that's nice, man. So is there any inspir words of inspiration or words of encouragement for anybody that's trying to get into be uh being a part of a band or starting something?
SPEAKER_01Um yeah, just
Doubt, Persistence, And Early Tours
SPEAKER_01just don't give up, just uh follow your passion. Like if you like what you really like like want to do, then you you should keep following it because the best way to like uh follow success is to be yourself and to just like um do what you like because that's the best way to like keep yourself motivated is like if you if you like what you do, then you're never gonna stop.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, amen. Agreed, man. Agreed. Well, thank you, Kiwi, for your time, man. It was a pleasure meeting you. Nice meeting you. Uh, good luck on today's performance. Thank you.
SPEAKER_05Thank you.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, KC, again, for uh allowing me to do this and and to showcase you guys. You guys are all amazing, meeting each and every single one of your band members. And it's incredible that it's because of you that you created such a great atmosphere. So keep doing what you're doing, man. I respect it, and thank you again for letting me be a part of it. Thank you. Thank you for coming out. I appreciate it. Absolutely. And please uh go ahead and plug in your socials uh where they can find you and your band.
SPEAKER_04Um you can find us on Instagram, mainly Instagram. Uh I have we have a TikTok, we have a Tumblr too, and uh Facebook. Um, and you can find our music on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Deezer, uh, I think Title. Okay. Yeah. All the random stuff.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. Well, thank you guys for staying tuned for another episode of The Broke Boys. We love you, and I'll make sure to put all his information in the description. Much love. Peace.
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