Musical Chairs: The Altons, Heartache in Room 14, and The Beauty of Sonic Transition
Written By: Karissa Kelly
Edited by: Matt Blake
Ahead of their two-night stay at the Belasco alongside Thee Sinseers (see our interview with Joey Quninones here!) The Altons returned to the studio for another interview and live session with our very own Bilingual Sounds program director, Byron Gonzales. Host of the presses, Heartache in Room 14 is The Altons’ latest studio album, and their dream come true. Read on, as they talk inspiration, musical migration, and the surreal accomplishment of working with Daptone Records.
Soul Searching
Reflecting on their transition from indie rock to a more soulful sound, The Altons credit their love of soul music as the “glue” that held them together through thick and thin. Their first album, In The Meantime, was of an indie rock persuasion, but still held the spirit of soul. It wasn’t until they connected with Daptone and cultivated their audience in the vinyl-collecting-oldies-loving niche that they realized how naturally they fell in love with soul. “It’s like soul in a different font,” they explained, that this evolution felt organic, not contrived. Shaped by their deep love for Motown, Stax Records, and Chicano soul influences, and becoming a beacon for fans from different musical backgrounds The Altons have solidified themselves as musically nomadic, authentic storytellers that aren’t afraid to dip their toes in the tides.
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Heartache in Room 14: Manifesting Fantasy
Reflecting on their excitement (and initial nervousness) about working with Daptone, a label turned legend for its collaboration with industry giants, front-woman Adriana Flores confessed “I kept pinching myself, and the fact that I work with the producer and writer of Sharon Joes and like, Charles Bradley, I was like freaking out!” What an honor to have worked with the people who shaped some of her all-time favorite records!
FULL BAND PERFORMANCE IN STUDIO:
A perfect album like Heartache in Room 14 certainly isn’t without its ups and downs in the studio. Where Did She Go? went through multiple iterations before they felt it was right. “We actually recorded a whole different version of it, but something felt off. We went back, reworked it, and now it feels exactly how it was meant to be.” In contrast, The Clock seemed to have effortlessly fallen into place, as it must have been played live enough times that recording it came naturally.
Another big shift in their songwriting process was their approach to Spanish tracks. While their first album had just one Spanish song, Maldito, from their 2019 debut record, this time around they leaned into it a bit further with two Spanish tracks! Perdóname and Del Cielo Te Cuido kept their fidelity to Spanish throughout the writing process, rather than being translated, reflecting an expansive musical identity that knows how to resonate with the human spirit in not just one language, but two.
Click HERE for session pictures + Belasco Theatre Show
Lessons from Brenton Wood
The interview took an emotional turn when they talked about their experience opening for the late Brenton Wood, a larger-than-life figure to anyone familiar with soul music. Wood’s generosity with fans left a lasting impression with the band. “He always took time to talk to people, take pictures, and show gratitude. He told me, ‘If you’re going to do this, you’ve got to love your fans as much as they love you.” We couldn’t agree more, because where would artists be if there was nobody to appreciate what they create?
His final performance was especially moving. Though he was in poor health, he took the stage in Long Beach, and when his voice faltered, the crowd of thousands sang for him. “You could see the tears in his eyes,” Adriana recalled, tears welling up in her eyes. “It was something we’ll never forget.”
What’s Next for The Altons?
As they continue touring in support of Heartache in Room 14, The Altons are embracing their musical evolution while staying open to new influences. Whether it's indie rock, boleros, or hip-hop rhythms, their sound continues to move like water, never confined to a single shape or genre. With their ability to blend the past and the present seamlessly, The Altons are proving that soul isn’t just a sound—it’s a feeling. And if Heartache in Room 14 is any indication, they’re just getting started.
All SoCal Sound & Bilingual Sounds Session, interviews, and performances are filmed and edited by Matt Blake, recorded and mixed by Tristan Dolce.
Bilingual Sounds Sessions are presented by The SoCal Sound. Subscribe to The SoCal Sound YouTube channel to see new sessions from The SoCal Sound and Bilingual Sounds and interviews the minute they are released!
