AT HOTEL ZIGGY ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 2024 PRESENTED TO US BY THE COBALT PRESENTS
There is nothing better to see than a band of young musicians showcasing and strutting their stuff for the first time on stage…together as one. Introducing, AZALEA an all female group from The greater Los Angeles area. AZALEA consists of the following amazing young musicians:
TARYN HAYDU – LEAD GUITAR
MADISON JONES – LEAD VOCALS
CANDY ZHANG- BASSIST
SAVANNAH TWEEDT – DRUMMER
Written by Don Marcelo
On this night the energy of the crowd sparked the place right away, rooting on the ladies even before they started playing. Their friends and family were there cheering on and some even helped out the members with their equipment onto the stage and off the stage. Some dedicated friends and fans even painted their faces with the words AZALEA in support of the band.
When AZALEA finally started playing, I noticed right away that there was not an ounce of nervousness from any of the members. Their nerves were made of steel on this night. They were full of smiles as they introduced themselves to the audience. From the first note all the way to the last note, they played with such force and confidence and they were having so much fun. Despite the fact that they only played covers on this night, they were still tight as a group as if they have been playing for several years. At one point, they even commanded the audience to get down low with them. Their presence on this night was definitely noticed by all and remember this is their first time together on stage as a band.
After shooting their live performance, I had the chance to hang out with the band and take some band group portraits and got to talk to them after the show and asked them a few questions:
ME: “Tell me something about yourselves. When did you start playing or singing? Tell me some of your favorite bands and influences. What are your hobbies, favorite foods, favorite things to do? What are your individual career goals in the music industry? Where do you want AZALEA to be next year, 3 years, 5 years?”
And here are their answers:
CANDY – BASS PLAYER
Heyyy! I’m Candy, from China. I first started learning piano when I was six. Then throughout my high school, I started learning guitar, and bands at my town never have bassist, so I started playing bass as well. My favorite band is “My Chemical Romance” and I am hoping to become a music artist in the future, sharing my music with more people. When I have free time, I love baking, golfing, dancing, figure skating… I love to eat candies and all kind of sweet desserts, especially cake! I hope Azalea could start publishing our own album in three years.
TARYN – LEAD GUITAR & VOCALS
I first started playing guitar when I was 12 years old I use to do competitive softball for years but then I dropped that and picked up the guitar and I found the love and passion for guitar and music!
My favorite bands/ artists
Heart , Runaways , Megadeth , Deftones , RATM (Rage Against the Machine), SOAD (System Of A Down), Boy genius, Led Zeppelin , Hole, Joan Jett and the Black hearts, The Cure, Maggie Lindemann, Kami Keho, Offspring , The Neighborhood, Linkin Park, Korn, Iron Maiden, Paramore, Girl in Red, Alice Cooper, RHCP (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Avenged Sevenfold, Black Sabbath
My Biggest influence on guitar is definitely Nita Strauss I love her playing, her sound, her feel and how much of an amazing humble person she is.
My individual career goal is to become a touring musician in a band with our own music and a solo artist also touring and spreading my music all over! If that doesn’t work out for me I really want to continue teaching young kids who strive to be guitarists, bassists and drummers.
My hobbies are mainly music as I play guitar, bass, drums and I sing but I also love to realistically draw people, love to skateboard and play basketball.
My favorite food is probably spaghetti!
My favorite thing to do is definitely music I do it all day every day and it never gets old I absolutely love it!
How I see Azalea in 3 to 5 years is all of us touring with our own music, coming out with an album or maybe two/three. Also coming out with some singles too! And playing lots of show in our home town LA and connecting with lots more local Indie bands and giging with them.
MADISON – LEAD VOCALS & GUITAR
I started singing when I was a kid and I haven’t stopped since. Music is a big part of my family, we all grew up singing and playing piano at family gatherings and in school.
My favorite artists are Lauren Sanderson, The Interrupters, Clairo, and Renee Rapp. Growing up my dad used to take us to ska concerts so I am very influenced by the Ska scene but I love all types of music. For a while now I’ve been listening to indie rock, I love how easy and fun it is to sing!
I love doing puzzles, hiking, and playing card games!
My favorite food is sandwiches.
My favorite thing to do is watch South Park with my family. I also love going to concerts and dancing with friends!
In the next 3-5 years I see Azalea working on original music and playing shows all across California.
SAVANNAH
First started playing at age 4
Favorite artists at the moment are The Band Camino, Valley, Paramore, Beabadoobee, Clairo, the Japanese House, Esperanza Spalding, and Jake Scott. I get a lot of playing influence from Zac Farro from Paramore and Jessica Burdeaux from Covet.
Subject to change, but I’m currently studying drum performance at USC Thornton School of Music, and my goal in the industry is to be a touring drummer for bands/artists and eventually have my own recording studio for when I’m home, where I can record and engineer/produce for people as I do at Pot Of Gold Recording now. I hope to find avenues to bring more young women into music, and I think the studio could be a really great opportunity for that.
My hobbies are mainly all music related lol…I love drumming, playing guitar, writing songs with friends, producing and recording music, and going to shows. Outside of music I’m on an intramural soccer team and love sports, love hanging with friends and family, playing with my puppy named Omelette, and paddle boarding whenever I get the chance
Favorite food is street tacos.
Favorite thing to do is make music with the people I love.
I hope Azalea will start writing and recording original music soon. I’d also love to eventually be able to tour and continue playing shows with them!
In conclusion, as with any young bands who is still trying to pave their way in the music scene, they are working on originals. But, I can’t wait to see and hear these young ladies again on stage even if they are just playing covers for now. I love their energy. I love their style. I love their passion and their goals. And I’m excited to see and hear what they have in store for us with their originals. Follow AZALEA and each member on all their socials for more:
https://sites.google.com/view/azaleaband/about-the-band
INSTAGRAM: @azalea.bandofficial
Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2024
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