Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Malone.
Hi Natasha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
This is ultimately a love story that begins in a New Jersey strip mall. My parents kindly enrolled me in piano lessons very early on at Old Towne Music in Turnersville, NJ. It was (and still is) a nondescript music store nestled between a tattoo parlor and an adult store. I liked piano alright, but I always spent time gazing at the electric guitars in the window. When I was 13, I asked my parents if I could switch to guitar. I remember my first guitar teacher was this very weathered-looking musician named Joe who played the blues. He was patient and kind and I longed to be as effortlessly cool as he was. Joe taught me Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, all the stuff he knew and probably didn’t mind teaching. I’m not a naturally gifted musician, so I struggled through my lessons, but nonetheless my love of guitar grew. In high school, I joined a program called School of Rock in Philadelphia where performance with other kids was a priority. I found that I loved being able to play music with other people and really enjoyed the performance aspect of the program. Fast forward ten years…I had graduated college and moved to Texas for a job. In an attempt to make new friends, I joined School of Rock again. This time it was School of Rock in Southlake, TX and I joined their “adult program.” I’m so glad that I did because it renewed my love of playing music, I made life-long friends, and even met my husband James. James is a touring musician and he exposed me to an entirely different world of music. It was exciting driving around the country and watching him play in his successful metal band, Arsis. Witnessing James create and the share his music inspired me very much. I secretly wished I could do something similar. I shared my dream of writing original music with him and he helped mold my rudimentary ideas into actual songs for my band Daughters of Evil. During the same time, both James and I got pulled into the very active tribute band scene in DFW. The tribute band arena leveled us both up as musicians with the laborious three hour sets and venue/audience expectations. The challenge was good for both of us, and together, we even started our own 80’s band called Reanimate1988 with our friends. I didn’t know it as the time, but that sparkle that I had in my eye as I oogled the electric guitars at Old Towne put me on a path to find the true loves of my life: music and James.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggles I’ve dealt with when it comes to being a musician/performer usually come from within. Self-doubt and anxiety rear their ugly head from time to time. Thankfully, I’ve never been too concerned with what OTHER people think of me or my art, but that little voice inside is usually the worst critic.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love to create. It’s the activity that brings me the most joy and satisfaction. I am admittedly a late bloomer and started my creative journey at 27. I wrote my first short film in my late twenties without knowing how in the world I was going to execute the script. I figured it out as I went along and eventually met life-long friends who had way more expertise in filmmaking than me. I found that I loved every second of filmmaking and went on to write, direct, and produce two more award-winning short films. My love of creating even led to opening my own short-lived haunted house called Nightscape. I learned many difficult and valuable lessons from this endeavor. Years later, I still get calls every October asking if we are open or coming back, so that does warm my heart.
I’m most proud of my original band Daughters of Evil. It started out as a fictional band I created for a short-film of the same name. In two years, me and my bandmates, Jenessa Soto and Ariel Ditta, have taken the band from pretend to a real band playing historic venues like the Whisky A Go-Go and opening for acts like Castle Rat.
I think what sets me apart is my history of execution. If I say I’m going to do something, I usually do it and do it big.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that perseverance trumps talent. I’m not a great guitar player, I’m not a great singer, but occasionally I have interesting ideas and I know I can bring them to life and market them. Talent is awesome, but if you don’t have the hustle and confidence to bring your ideas over the finish line, you’re stuck playing in your room. I look to my musical idols and I can say, hey they’re not the best (musically-speaking) either–but they had a dream and they were just crazy enough to chase after it. So I hope this inspires people. You don’t have to be the best, you just have to be the craziest. Ha!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daughtersofevilband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughters_of_evil
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaughtersofEvil
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaughtersofEvil
- Other: https://reanimate1988.com
Image Credits
Ghoulio
Blake Sexton
Molly Hudelson
