Josiah Mazzaschi and Madeleine Mathews of LA-based indie pop-rock duo Child Seat told us about their Alabama Shakes and punk experiences...
Josiah Mazzaschi: When I was fifteen years old I went to London for a summer abroad. It was the first trip I had taken away from my parents. My brother and I went to see Siouxsie & The Banshees, Psychic TV, The Fall, Wire, and Gaye Bikers on Acid. It was truly a life changing moment as I had just discovered punk and Guinness.
It was a lot of firsts. First time drinking alcohol. First time seeing queer people making out. First time being exposed to punk underground music. I had found my tribe!
I remember Genesis P Orridge from Psychic TV came out in a big black teased wig. The crowd was going crazy because they thought he was Siouxsie. He whipped off the wig to reveal his shaved bald head and ripped into an amazing noisy set.
Madeleine Mathews: Having to choose the best gig I’ve ever seen, is akin to choosing between my favorite children (I would assume…. As I’m a childless 30 something year-old). However, one show in particular has stuck with me. It’s not about theatrics or the artist with the biggest stardom, but rather who has moved me the most. As an artist myself, seeing your idol live is not only incredibly inspirational but life-changing.
If you were to ask any friend of mine who one of my favorite artists or bands is, many would instantly say The Alabama Shakes. I remember the first time hearing them and immediately thinking to myself “who the hell is this?” Brittany Howard, their lead singer, was born to be a star. Her voice is filled with power, truth and something a lot modern day artists lack (in my opinion)... soul. She’s the kind of person that can stop a room and bridge together generations of music lovers.
After the band’s hiatus, I thought I’d never be able to see them live. Their music took me through high school, college and was a huge inspiration for me developing my own sound and voice. Music has that way, like scent does, to instantly bring you back to a moment in time, a memory. Do you ever get a whiff of something and immediately think “this smells like my kindergarten classroom?” Music does just that for me. It teleports me. It fills me with nostalgia.
So, when I heard they were playing at the Hollywood Bowl on their reunion tour (which I was a bit hesitant about because it's a venue that lacks intimacy), I immediately had to buy tickets. As a broke musician myself, I added to my piling debt on my credit card. I couldn’t miss it.
It was everything I wanted and more. As soon as they struck their first chord, I was transported to a time where everything felt more optimistic. To a time where their music was on repeat. To a time where I was so inspired. To a time where life felt simple.
Life in 2026 often feels bleak. Post pandemic, a failing economy, attempting to still be a musician after 10+ years of grinding with time fleeting and bills still piling up after you swore this next song would be your big break. But, for a night I was empowered. I cried through half the set, singing every word to every song - unable to control my tears and questioning where they came from - it was a rock show after all. I should be bobbing my head, but instead I was wiping my eyes.
But, music, especially the Alabama Shakes, has a funny way of doing that to you.
Child Seat's "Stuck" is out now.
Photo by Mary Kula
