Meet Lola Pistola

L-O-L-A Lola, lo lo lo lo Lolaaaaaaa….Pistola.

This Brooklyn-by-way of San Juan artist is a force of energy. A bit punk, a bit psych, a bit pop, and a whole lotta glam, Lola Pistola offers raw explosions of uninhibited emotion. Her debut Curfew solidified her (literal) rock star status, and her recent release “Feelings” follows suit.

Today, we discuss the influence of Puerto Rican punk, the best board games, and throwback it back to Dexter’s Laboratory.

Lend me your ears (and eyes) and peep it below.

Would You Rather…

only be able to talk in fortune cookies, or backward? Why?

I would rather not. Hahaha.

Some Questions with Lola Pistola

What did you want to be growing up?

A writer and a singer. A performer of sorts. I day dreamed a lot as a kid, and still, in retrospect I believe all I really wanted was to be seen and heard.

Describe your sound in three colors.

Hahaha, no. OK, fine, maybe a glittered tie dye with hues of magenta and oranges but also dark green, and also a cool animal print, something like that.

How has the history of punk in NY and San Juan influenced your music?

I don't think I would've been able to make the music that I make and feel confident on stage or performing my songs if I never had participated as spectator of punk shows in Puerto Rico. Here's the thing, for me, going to a Las Ardillas show, seeing the Puerto Rican band Juventud Crasa (both very active still in the Puerto Rican scene). Listening to all these people sing and evolve against establishment, creating a sound that's unique of the geological space that is the Caribbean, really inspired me. I wouldn't have understand the possibilities of music and rock music if it wasn't for that specific time and sound. For me, all those experiences led me to study punk scenes all over the world, falling in love with my favorite bands and knowing that what I was seeing there was so much more bigger and had been for a while ever-growing. Being from Puerto Rico and learning about the beginnings of punk music in New York but also Latin America really did it for me. From New York, Blondie, Television, New York Dolls. But also, punk bands from Spain too, La Polla Records, Eskorbuto, Siniestro Total, these bands served as a huge impact in my musical taste and growth. I do also love Germs, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Blatz... so many!

What is the best drinking game to play with people? (Have you ever invented one?

I love playing games! Board games, all games! Best drinking games are Dice, Dominoes, Jenga, and Connect Four! Those make me want to flip tables and stuff. I do not remember inventing one, but it has happened that I don't fully remember the rules of a game and I just make them up. Other than that, maybe I should invent one. That actually makes me so stoked. I get too cocky playing pool, it was and still is my favorite game to play with my parents when we're drinking or when I go back home.

What do you like best about making music in NYC?

The spaces, the struggle, the discipline, the race, the allowing yourself to be crazy and letting people feed off your energy, the support of strangers, the constant change, the inspiration, the possibilities. All these things, equally, and based on my own personal experiences here, are what makes it so great and unique.

Your music draws influence from glam rock, 90's alt, and grunge. How would you place your music within the lineage of these genres?

Very in between those sounds. I've fantasized all my life with sharing the stage with bands that unfortunately don't even play anymore because they don't exist, like Nirvana for example. Because when they were alive and in their prime they created all this environment of possibility and madness for the rest of us musicians. The grunge era, is very defining of my style, of the first music era that I felt inspired and identified with. Even when it's prime events happened when I was just a baby. Looking back and learning, years later, felt very cathartic and eye-opening.

What place does aggression have in your music?

In no way its intended, but I aggressively try to complete all I desire to create and bring to live in music assertively. I trust my instincts and intuition with passion and intention. If I don't feel confident, I do not pursue a sound or a song for that matter. No matter the tone or head space. I try to be as precise and clear as possible when I am writing music and performing so the message feels real and in the moment, captured.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Too many, unfortunately, but from the top of my head, people who complain too much, people who brag too much, people who don't listen to others, egotistical behaviors, 'scenesters' (hahaha I am joking, but maybe not), vapid and nonsensical conversations, people who lie, people who voted for Donald Trump, people who want Statehood in Puerto Rico. That sort of stuff.

Which was better Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network?

"Omelette du Fromage"

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Stay cool, have fun, be kind, turn off your phones, and pay attention to the world. Also playing The Broadway in Brooklyn alongside the good people of Gustaf and Retail on November 1st.

Lola Pistola