Photos // Jason Rodgers
MUA / Leah Carmichael
Living in the most popular city in the world may have some perks but even then, things can be missed in the chaos of the city that never sleeps. LADYGUNN partners with Jason Rodgers in this edition of MEET CUTE,” a fashion editorial photo concept highlighting NYC & LA nightlife, performance artists, and creative cuties we feel you should know. Meet Yasi Salek– a refreshing force in the podcast sphere and, darling of modern media. Known for her spot-on takes on some of your favorite bands her humor and poignant insights, have garnered a genuine connection with her audience. We delve into our favorite band-aid’s library of life.
What brought you to LA?
I was born here! so I guess…god’s plan babe.
What’s a song you have on repeat, right now?
I have two – “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog and “Loud Bark” by Mannequin Pussy
What were you listening to in high school?
A lot of the same stuff I still listen to honestly. PJ Harvey, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, The Breeders, Oasis, The Replacements, Dinosaur Jr, The Cure, The Smiths, Fugazi, Fiona Apple. KROQ forever. I’m from Torrance, CA so also a lot of punk and pop punk, Black Flag, Descendents, NOFX, Lagwagon, lots of other Fat Wreck Chords bands, and like Sublime and No Doubt and definitely Blink-182. Korn. The Deftones 2nd album. The first Third Eye Blind album. Had a little doo-wop phase. I also closet-listened to a ton of Dave Matthews Band and Counting Crows. I’m sure I’m forgetting something – I listened to music every waking minute that wasn’t taken up by school or sports.
Who was your first music crush?
I think it was probably both Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell from the Temple of the Dog “Hunger Strike” video. That really had a major impact on shaping my burgeoning sexuality…
What musicians do you think will be the next with a cult following?
Crushed, 2Hollis, Militarie Gun, Blondshell, Badvril, Mannequin Pussy, and Bully
How did you get the idea for Bandsplain?
I was just thinking about how there are so many bands and artists whose legacy and fame are so big that people might feel daunted or discouraged from ever even digging into the actual music because it seems so overwhelming and because maybe their name recognition and blanket myth has sort of dulled the interest in a way? Because details and context really make most artists’ stories so interesting. So it was kind of born of a desire to make a “for dummies” type explainer of bands and artists and then it just sort of snowballed out of control from there..
What have been your most iconic guests?
I think all of my guests are iconic tbh but having a celebrated poet and literal Macarthur Genius come to talk to me, a dumb bitch, for like 10 hours about The Cure was major. Thank you Hanif Abdurraqib!
There are so many scary fandoms out right now. Thinking specifically of Swifties and Barbz, maybe the Beyhive. Why do you think that is?
Okay so actually I think Western society at large is suffering from a lack of community and an epidemic of loneliness and people so desperately yearn to belong to something greater than themselves but also are desperate to establish an easily communicated online identity, so instead of fostering community in the ways we traditionally have as humans, people are kind of overidentifying with their tastes and preferences, sometimes to the point of psychosis.
What about music journalism was appealing to you?
For me it was really the 90s style, particularly in the British music press, where the journalists were able to put so much personality and fun and snark into the writing. That and Gina Arnold’s 1993 book Route 666: On the Road to Nirvana which showed me that you could do that – you could be a woman and write personally about music within the context of your own life and personal experiences. That’s what I always wanted to do because I loved music so much but I wasn’t interested in criticism per se.
FUCK MARRY KILL : Trent Reznor, Kayne West, Stephen Malkmus
Fuck Reznor (duh have you heard “Closer”), marry Malkmus (we’d have a range life), and kill Kanye (I’m sorry).
What is the future of music?
This might be my answer to magical wishful thinking but I think (hope) a crop of new artists are going to tire of technology and return to analog forms of guitar music.
Do you believe in guilty music pleasure? If so what are yours?
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures! It’s our cringe that makes us unique and interesting and we should embrace and celebrate what we love because what a gift to love anything at all.
What was music like growing up in your house as a first-generation kid?
My mom was super into pop music – particularly Madonna, so Madonna was my very first favorite artist. We used to tape her music videos off MTV and Vh1 and I had her posters on my wall in hindsight it’s a little weird to have a poster of Madonna naked smoking a cig on your wall as like an 8-year-old but it’s like how immigrant parents will both not let you sleepover at a friend’s house until high school but also let you watch R rated movies in the first grade so…
What have you discovered about yourself since hosting your podcast?
That apparently I pronounce some words weird. But more importantly that what people think of me is none of my business!!!
Do you play any music? What would your stage persona be?
I do not. Those who can’t do podcasts etc. I can play some guitar chords very poorly. However, I do often think I would make an amazing front person of a hardcore band…
Pop Star or Rock Star?
Rock star
What are the last 5 songs you listened to?
“Great Expectations” by The Gaslight Anthem
“Tears Are Cool” by Teenage Fanclub
“In A Jar” by Dinosaur Jr
“Crush” by Dave Matthews Band
“Here I Am” by Kacy Hill ft Donna Missal
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