Jul 15, 2013 8 Questions with: Eddie Solis
I first encountered Eddie Solis last year when his band It’s Casual opened for Negative Approach at Alex’s Bar. I was blown away by the two-man crew, which is a force of nature onstage, and it turns out Eddie is equally intense about his offstage projects. To his repertoire of playing heavy music and running his own independent record label for years, he has recently added producing and hosting his own radio show, Los Angeles Nista. Through a variety of guests including punk rockers, pro skateboarders, photographers, restauranteurs, and politicians, he examines neighborhoods of Los Angeles and shares how to get there using public transportation.
While his aggro punk style and bridge-building conversation may seem to be at odds to the untrained ear, Eddie’s creative outlets and business efforts share the common goals of celebrating his hometown and challenging its residents to embrace and grow its culture. So when I last saw my friend in Echo Park, I thought he’d a be a good guy to ask eight questions…
How would you describe your job?
My job is one that is linear to the phrase “you get what you put into it.”
Record label (Stoked Records) – There are many things that need to be done to sell records. The first is distribution. You need to take steps to get the record onto the shelves of stores. Then you need to create demand so that people walk in and buy your records. The components to creating demand are live shows, media coverage, and radio but, it’s crucial that you provide the shops with the necessary tools to sell your releases (i.e. posters, in-store play copies of CDs and vinyl.) That being said, I am in constant contact with distributors, retail stores, music journalists, and radio people keeping them up to speed.
Radio show (Los Angeles Nista) – I have to create the vision of an episode, then materialize it. The Los Angeles Nista format is city by city, and I have to make the right choices, have a clear vision, a coherent direction. So you have to know what you’re going to do–research and do the majority of the work–prior producing the show. That’s called pre-production.
What are some of the things that you currently working on?
Stoked Records and Los Angeles Nista. My band It’s Casual and my other band Matador (two completely different genres). And skateboarding a lot. That’s my therapy.
What do you approach your average work day?
My approach is very organized yet intuitive. I call my marketing “intuitive marketing.” Not so rigid. More of a flow.
Where do you find inspiration?
Daily, I draw inspiration from the people in my life. I think about everyone I care about and that fuels me to be the best I can be, and to see every task through with sincere and and good intentions.
What are you reading at the moment?
At the moment, the Hosoi bio.
What’s your favorite non-work destination?
Caruthers Skatepark in Bellflower.
Does it trip you out that your background in hardcore punk and metal has led you to interviewing entrepreneurs and politicians?
Yes, it does trip me out. Skateboarding brought me to hardcore punk rock and metal. Hardcore punk rock and metal showed me how to truly express myself with words. Radio is a new platform for me, and it has steered me to political figures and politicians. Hardcore and skateboarding was the catalyst that steered me into this new realm.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
A member of KISS or a Dodger!
It’s Casual will be playing Alex’s Bar with Good For You on Saturday, July 27. Bring earplugs. Also follow It’s Casual on Facebook and listen to Los Angeles Nista on Skid Row Studios.
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