Roll of the Dice: 8 questions with Stormhouse

LA punks Stormhouse have joined the Wiretap Records family and will release a new EP this Fall. In anticipation of the new album, the band’s singer Markie has joined TGEFM for our latest Roll of the Dice interview.

Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Congrats on the new single “Crashing Waves.”  What can you tell us about Stormhouse and your sound and your goals for readers just discovering the band?

Our sound has definitely evolved over the years. I’ve always wanted each member to bring in whatever sound influences them. This past year with new members, we managed to stay within our roots of dark rock n’ roll but have also added a pop twist. We hope that whoever listens to our music resonates with our sound and lyrics. 

What album or band or significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do”  Not just an influence but who or what was the catalyst?

For me, I had a life changing moment when i was six years old. It was 1995, my mom let me play hooky for the day so we can so see No Doubt live at Cal State Fullerton on the Kevin and Bean show with a few of my cousins. My eldest cousin, Anastacia carried me on her shoulders during “Sunday Morning” witnessing Gwen Stefani connect and move the entire audience, I knew I wanted to sing in a band. 

Stormhouse recently signed with Wiretap Records.  What is it about the label that made them the right fit for Stormhouse?

Rob is a rocker foo just like us! All jokes aside haha we knew Wiretap would be a good fit cos they are about the music and want to help their bands grow. 

We’ve all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn’t take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?

I personally dont have any regrets in my life. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason whether if its good or bad. There have been a few great gigs we had to pass up but I firmly believe that what is meant for us will come our way. As far as mistakes go with being a musician, as long as we all learn from that mistake and dont repeat it thats all that matters. 

What’s going on in the alt/rock scene that “femme-fronted” acts are finally seeming to get the acceptance and mainstream attention it deserved for so long? In light of the way the world seems to be moving backward in a lot of regards, do you believe we will ever get to a point where “femme-fronted” is no longer used as a descriptor when we really should just be calling bands like Stormhouse kick-ass rock?

I think it just depends on the artist and what they prefer being referenced as. It may bother some musicians and it may not bother others. I think its up to the journalist or whoever is writing the description to run it by the musicians to get their approval. 

One of our obligatory questions in these interviews also tends to be the one I have found most important on a personal level. Who are some bands on your radar that TGEFM readers may not know about, but you think they should?

All of my friends bands!!! Reverse Cowgirls, S.O.H, Trap Girl, Thee Toe Tags, Hex Code, Self Improvement, Auxilio, Psychoactive… I can go ooooonnn lol 

Now that the world has its hands on the single,  what’s next for Stormhouse?

We have our new single “Heartstrings” coming out on 9/20, EP release 10/25 on all streaming platforms, and an EP release party on 11/2 at my salon Freebirds in Long Beach! 

What do you wish I asked about or that you had more of an opportunity to speak about during this interview?

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Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.