For The Altons, music is not just about the sound—it’s about the journey. With the recent release of their album Heartache in Room 14 and their Club Heartache tour, The Altons are ready to bring their signature blend of soul, blues, and Latin-infused rhythms to audiences nationwide. Beyond music, they are deeply committed to giving back. From their annual Christmas Benefit Show to wildfire relief efforts, their activism is rooted in the communities that shaped them. Read on to learn more about The Altons!

Where are you guys based?
The band is based out of Southeast Los Angeles in the City of Maywood.

What inspired you guys to pursue music and form a band?
Bryan - I’ve been playing in bands with my friends from about the age of 12 when I started playing guitar. I think the inspiration of pursuing music and playing on the road came from countless hours of watching concert videos that my favorite bands at the time were putting out. Bands from the 80s like Metallica and Pantera were putting out videos of themselves while they were on tour, and that experience of just being on the road with your friends always fascinated me. Those videos are the reason I gravitate to being in a band more than anything else, but I think the feeling I get from playing music is also a big part of it as well. It’s the one thing I gravitate to the most.

Adriana- I’ve been singing in talent shows since I was in elementary school. I loved music and always gravitated towards it. In high school, I sang in the Latin jazz band. I went to local shows and met people in the music scene and wanted to be a part of it.

Caitlin - My mom and grandfather were musicians, and I got into drums after feeling inspired seeing a drummer play with a band. I thought it looked so fun to be up on stage under lights surrounded by drums. Once I started playing, I realized it felt very natural and therapeutic for me to play drums. I love that it gets me to create and connect with many different people.

Chris- I would always hang out with my friends who played in bands. I thought it looked fun, so I really dug into it.

Congratulations on the release of your single, "Your Light." What inspired this track, and what message do you guys hope listeners take from it?
Bryan - Thank you! This happens to be one of my favorite songs on the album. It was the last track we recorded, and it will always remind me of the final week in the studio. We were close to wrapping up the recording, and we felt like we needed one more song to round out the album. We would go into the studio and work for 7-8 hrs, then spend a few hours after work on what became Your Light.

Adriana - that’s a special one, for the reasons Bryan mentioned above but also because of the story we tell through the lyrics. It’s about heartbreak and how lost it can make you feel. I hope people feel consoled by the song.

We also heard that you guys are set to release your album Heartache in Room 14 on February 14th. Can you guys share the story behind Heartache in Room 14?
Bryan - Room 14 is actually the room number of Penrose Studios in Riverside. We spent a lot of time there over the years, working on different songs, all while facing different challenges in our personal lives.

Adriana- yes, we spent so many days in Rm.14 crafting these songs for the album. While you’re being creative, life keeps rolling on, and it feels like it’s passing you by sometimes. With time passing comes love, heartache, and pain. We wanted the title to convey that.

The ‘Club Heartache’ tour kicks off in February and spans across major cities. How are you guys feeling as you guys gear up for these shows?
Bryan - Excited! We can’t wait to come out and play these songs for everyone.

Adriana - So excited to start playing these new songs on the road.

Caitlin - It feels great having new music to share with everyone.

Chris - Want to see the people’s reactions to the new songs as we ease them in.

You recently held your second annual Christmas Benefit show for the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory.
What inspired you guys to start this tradition, and how has the response been from the community?
Bryan - This is actually the first interview to bring this up, and we appreciate it! The first year we did it for L.A.’s Best and last year we chose to raise money for the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory. We all share a common goal of helping make Art more accessible for kids in our area. My personal inspiration for it, though, came from growing up in an area where the schools didn’t really offer many choices for Art programs, and if they did, they were very limited to a certain group of students. So I feel it is important to contribute to that in any way we can. We also host it at The Paramount because we like the idea of bringing the show we’ve toured the whole year to a venue that's in our community.

In addition to your benefit shows, you guys have been active in relief efforts for the LA fires. Can you guys talk about how you all got involved and what you guys hope others take away from your advocacy?
Adriana- the fires were devastating. There were many distribution centers asking for volunteers. After dropping off supplies, my cousins and I decided to part and jump in to help. It got to the point where they had too many volunteers and had to turn people away. When I saw that, I knew we’d be okay, the helpers were everywhere and willing to donate time. It was heartwarming. I hope they feel confident enough to walk up and volunteer even if it's their first time. Everyone there is happy you’re helping and walking you through it.

Caitlin - I’ve donated where I can and stayed in touch with musicians I know that have been affected. It’s still an ongoing recovery process. I also work at a youth arts center where we have been offering free arts workshops for families looking to heal.

How do you all see music as a tool for social change, particularly in the communities you guys represent?
Adriana- Music has always been at the forefront of much social change. Art is needed to push ideas and movements. Live music gives people a chance to gather with people who share common interests. That’s powerful. During COVID-19, we put a livestream together to raise money for the Black Lives Matter movement. People tuned in and donated for something they believed in. I’m glad we were able to shine light and raise money for a cause using music.

Caitlin - Music brings people together across beliefs and backgrounds. Music allows people to see the similarities amongst ourselves and create new communities where there otherwise might not have.

As you all continue to grow as a band, cue message or feeling, do you guys hope people take away from your music?
Bryan - I hope that people can take whatever they need from the music. Music is tied to many memories I have, and I hope our music will do the same for someone else.

Adriana - I hope they get whatever they need from it as well. I use music to heal and help myself I hope they can do the same.

Caitlin - I hope people feel good when they listen to our music. I hope it helps them reflect and grow in the ways that they need.

Chris- Hope it helps people out in tough times.

If you guys could go back and give advice to yourselves when you first started The Altons, what would it be?
Bryan - Buy some property and maybe some Bitcoin haha. I think it would be to keep trying. We’ve been through a lot, and we learned a lot of lessons the hard way, but I think it was necessary to make us the band we are now.

Adriana- haha property would be nice. I think it would be to not be so hard on yourself and to keep it up.

Are there any upcoming projects you guys would like to share?
Bryan -We have some things we’re working on that we can’t quite share yet, but in time, we will! But for now our new album and the tour around it is our focus.

It has been a crazy few years; how have you all been staying positive?
Bryan- taking it one day at a time, I’ve been learning to stay in the moment and enjoy the things in my life I have and worry about the things I have control over.

Adriana- I definitely do a lot of yoga and try to be mindful of doing hobbies away from music to keep my head on straight.

Caitlin - I stay grounded through playing drums and through running and yoga. I stay in touch with friends and family and enjoy the simple things in life as much as I can.

Chris- I’m a nature boy, so I hike and go camping. I like working with my hands, so I like to build stuff around my house. I try not to watch too much television, it's bad for the mind. And enjoy my family and loved ones a lot. This keeps me grounded and positive.

What is your motto in life?
Bryan - Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

Adriana- Don’t worry so much; it’ll all end up ok.

Caitlin - Be kind, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Chris- Be strong enough to be gentle.

To learn more about The Altons, please follow the links below:
Instagram: @Thealtons
Facebook: @The Altons
TikTok: @Thealtonsmusic
www.thealtons.com

The Altons - Making Art for Change