In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with Chris Merchant of No Hard Feelings and Press Rewind to talk about building bands, what it really takes to grow a local following and how you kind of just figure it out as you go.

Chris shares his journey from starting on drums to stepping into vocals, learning along the way without formal training and developing his sound through real band experience.

They dive into his two projects: No Hard Feelings, a pop punk original band, and Press Rewind, a high-energy cover band rooted in classic rock. But one of the biggest turning points came when his band leaned into Emo Night - playing covers from bands like Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy - to draw crowds and create momentum.

What started as a way to get more people in the room quickly evolved into a powerful strategy: build the audience with familiar songs, then introduce original music.

Chris also shares insights on the local Southern California music scene, hosting open mic nights, supporting emerging artists, and why community is everything when it comes to growing as a musician.

Follow Chris on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/chrisamerch/

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with vocalist Anna Suzette to talk about her unique journey from classical opera training to fronting a rock band in the Temecula Valley music scene.

Anna shares how she began singing at a young age, training in opera and performing in choirs before eventually breaking out of that mold to explore rock, musical theater, and live band performance. She opens up about finding her voice beyond classical technique, discovering her love for harmony, and learning how to “belt” after years of operatic training.

The conversation dives into:

• Transitioning from opera to rock and live band performance
• The role of open mics and karaoke in building confidence and connections
• Forming and growing her band Rose Line
• The importance of community in the local music scene
• Favorite venues like Somerset, Crush & Brew, and Murrieta Brewing Company
• How social media and networking work together to land gigs
• Her vocal warm-up routine and how she protects her voice
• The relationship between crowd energy and song selection

Anna also shares insights into what makes a song connect with an audience, including why their cover of Barracuda consistently wins crowds - and why some songs just don’t land, even when you expect them to.

Whether you're a musician looking to break into the scene or just love live music, this episode is packed with practical advice, real experiences, and inspiration from an artist actively building her path.

Follow the Rose Line band on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rose_line_band/

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with Temecula-based country artist Maddison Scott to talk about her journey from choir and church singing to performing live across Southern California.

Maddison shares how she got her start, what it’s like transitioning from structured choir to live band performances, and how she built momentum playing venues throughout Temecula. She also opens up about opening for a major country artist, navigating stage nerves, and the realities of performing without rehearsals.

The conversation dives into the importance of song selection, crowd engagement, and why mixing genres can make or break a live set. Maddison also talks about social media, building a following, and why face-to-face networking still wins when it comes to booking gigs.

Plus, she shares her dream artists to open for, her recent Local’s Choice Award win, and one unforgettable on-stage wardrobe malfunction you won’t want to miss.

If you're a local musician or just love the SoCal music scene, this episode is for you.

Follow Maddison on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/maddisonrscottofficial/