Calling Cadence are the powerhouse duo of Rae Cole and Oscar Bugarin who make tunes that blend together genres like rock, country, and southern soul. Their name pays tribute to Oscar’s time in the Army. They both got their start in California where Oscar met Rae. Oscar grew up on old school rock music and discovered country music while serving in the U.S Army in Kansas. Rae grew up on stage in theater productions before going more in depth into her interests in classic rock, folk and modern pop. As a band the two blend together their own influences into one and thus Calling Cadence was born. They are set to release their debut album on May 3rd, which was made entirely to analog tape. We got the pleasure to chat with both Oscar and Rae about the new album and the inspiration behind it as well as a few other things we wanted to know, check it out below!
- Hey there! Appreciate you taking the time to chat. For those who may not know who you are, give us a little background on yourself.
Rae: I’m Rae, and I’m from Huntington Beach, CA. I’ve been singing ever since I can remember–high school, college, the whole bit. After college I moved to L.A. to pursue singing professionally which is how Oscar and I crossed paths.
Oscar: Well hello! I’m Oscar, I play guitar and sing in Calling Cadence. I’m from Southern California. I grew up in a very musical family and always remember music being a big part of my upbringing. I started playing in church and with my grandpa and at family gatherings, then at blues jams as a teenager, and eventually started playing in different high school bands. After the majority of my bandmates went off to college, I decided to enlist in the army where I spent 6 years on active duty. I wrote a few songs, but didn’t take music too seriously until I wound up participating in a singing competition while in the Army called “Operation Rising Star”, kind of a military version of American Idol.
- What are some things that have been keeping you sane in these unprecedented times of the pandemic?
Rae: The making of our album definitely helped keep me grounded during the pandemic. I feel fortunate to have had a community of incredibly talented musicians to hunker down, isolate and play music with during the shutdown. I loved vibing with the freedom and creativity around me.
Oscar: Playing guitar and writing music is always what keeps me connected. Working on our LP helped me maintain a feeling of purpose and direction…and hope, and I’ve had some really good times keeping music alive with my friends around me.
- Your new self titled debut album is set to be released this spring, how exhilarating is it finally having a full body of work done like this one?
Rae: It’s amazing! I’m so grateful for Oscar, our team and hi-res records. This has definitely been an experience to remember.
Oscar: Exhilarating is absolutely the word. This has been a dream come true witnessing our songs grow from simple ideas to a full length album of produced tracks. I/we can’t wait to share it with the world!
- What were some inspirations behind writing your debut album?
Rae: We definitely drew inspiration from the realm of The Eagles and Crosby, Stills, & Nash, music we love. Personally, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, and The Civil Wars. I think between my singing/performing background and Oscar’s blues background, we came together nicely to produce a rad project.
Oscar: I grew up listening to Elvis, MJ, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beatles, Motown, Stevie Wonder, to name a few, who are like prophets to me. Everything I write tends to go through that filter. We wanted to make music that makes us feel the same way those great albums make us feel.
- Do you have a favorite track on the album? If so, which one?
Rae: I love “Wasn’t it Good.” It’s always been a favorite of mine. Another favorite is “California Bartender.”
Oscar: “So Far” is one of my favorites. The whole band really delivered an incredible performance on that one…not to mention I love the classic rock vibes on it!
- You both decided to go about recording the album on analog tape, using no computers whatsoever, what drove you to that decision? Do you think more musicians should consider that route?
Rae: Our music is so inspired by artists and producers that could only work in the analog domain. Digital, at that time, was way-off in the future. We were so lucky to be able to work with producers that not only knew how but had a studio that could capture our music in that format.
It’s more challenging but at the end of the day analog brought something to the end product that digital could not have.
Oscar: Absolutely. After only working digitally but being such a devoted fan of music from the past, I couldn’t get over how much different analog sounded the first time I heard tape recordings in an engineering class. I knew I wanted to do an album that sounded and felt like that if I ever could. Should more musicians consider it? Yes, if it serves the music.
- How would you describe your music in three words?
Rae: Southern Blues Rock
Oscar: Red Dirt Indigo.
- Which song or project of yours are you most proud of?
Rae: I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with the first Calling Cadence record.
Oscar: I absolutely agree.
- Musically speaking, is there a moment or memory in your life that you always want to hold onto? Or a moment that has taught you a lot?
Rae: Just before the pandemic we had a show that was hands-down the best and most well received show I’ve ever been part of in my life. The feeling was incredible. We absolutely killed it on stage, and the moment we stepped off we were surrounded by people who were genuinely thrilled to have experienced our music. Having that kind of impact on others, through music, is the best feeling I could imagine. It made me realize how much I loved singing and performing. How proud music makes me, and how much I feel like I belong on stage. That was a moment I’ll always hold on to.
Oscar: Yeah, back to my military days, I’ll never forget the feeling I got playing a song that I wrote, in front of a huge crowd, for the first time and their response. It was amazing. That’s a moment I will hold onto for a long time.
- What music have you been listening to lately? Favorite artists?
Rae: I’ve been getting into some other new bluesy/country/ folk singer songwriters! Suzanne Santo of Honeyhoney is a great one, also Caamp and the Weepies. I also love getting back to the old dudes, The Traveling Wilburys and Pure Prairie League. I also adore The Civil Wars, they always end up on my regular listening list.
Oscar: I listen to blues…a lot. I listen to everything, all genres. Warren Zevon is a recent inspiration. A true poet of a songwriter. I’m soaking up as much as I can from his catalog right now.
- Lastly, what is a message you hope fans who listen to your music take away from it?
(Thank you again for your time!)
Rae: I hope that people can feel it the way we feel it, that our emotion and soul come through. Hopefully this album can help inspire.
Oscar: For me, music has such an important place in my life and so much of what I listen to I consider the soundtrack to my life. I hope our music can be the soundtrack to other people’s lives. Thank you to everybody who has been supporting us so far! Can’t wait to see you all on the road.
Check out the beautiful video to “Just The Way It Goes” below and stream it here. The band is also doing a special giveaway in celebration of their debut album release, featuring the chance to win exclusive merch like a signed vinyl and limited edition tees. You can find out more info on how to enter here!
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id2fM13zfDs
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