An Interview with A Murder of One

An Interview with A Murder of One

How did the band come together? Was it friendship, a shared vision, or something else that brought you all together?
A Murder of One is an original Southern California rock band established in 2019. The band formed when longtime friends and bandmates, Lindsay Parks (Jane Friday / popbandALICE), Berta Arzate (Jane Friday), and Chris Bolm (popbandALICE) joined forces to create a new rock band, with a new kind of rock sound.

In 2020, the pandemic ushered the band into a lengthy hiatus. The pause resulted in a recalibration of focus and the decision to add a second guitarist. After several attempts to find their fourth member, AMO found Megan Burton. This evolution of the band added depth and context to the previously two dimensional vibe of the band’s original sound. Since achieving their ultimate form, the band has been working on growing a fan base, releasing new music, and expanding their reach by performing across a diverse variety of media and live venues.

Are there any artists or bands that inspire your sound or stage presence?
Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Bikini Kill, Sleater Kinney, Local H, Blondie, 10,000maniacs, AFI, the Cure, New Order, the Gossip, Joan Jett, Fleetwood Mac, Jimi Hendrix, The Get up Kids, Cursive

Do you have any pre-show rituals that you do to get in the zone?
We like to arrive at venues early to hang out and get the vibe of the situation. We also like to meet and greet with regulars, locals, fans, and friends prior to playing. Playing live for us is largely the community aspect of it. We like to meet the audience and hopefully gain new friends and fans during every show.

Can you share a funny or heartwarming interaction you’ve had with a fan?
Early on in our time as a band, we used to rent hourly rehearsal spaces all over LA. We were at one place near west Adams one Sunday. This spot was super popular with the USC college students. It was not uncommon to be there with a variety of different student creators. As we were returning from a break, we found a note written in sharpie on a paper towel from the rest room taped to the door. It said something super complementary and had contact info for two aspiring videographers. This was the first feedback the band ever received and the first validation that our sound could be loved by people other than us! We still have the note duct taped to the wall in our studio.

Where do you see the band in the next five years?
We are taking things moment to moment but always working on touring, recording, and creating more content. Million fans would be fantastic!

What message do you hope your music conveys to your listeners?
We hope it’s relatable and inspiring. We’ve worked on a more versatile, dynamic, and polished tone with our music lately, but will always be queer feminist punks. We want to empower women, queer people, and every other to live their authentic lives. Oh, and always be fighting the patriarchy!

(Interview and Photos by Denise Johnson)

A Murder of One on Instagram