Presented by Goldenvoice: New Gold Standard
An Interview with Archer Oh
April 25, 2025
We sat down with Archer Oh ahead of their first headlining show at Fox Theater Pomona to chat about growing up in the Inland Empire, how the local scene shaped their sound, and where each of the band members feels most inspired.
Answers will be identified by initial: A- Archie, P- Pedro, D- Diego, J- Juan
Essentials on your rider?
A: I think just getting the rider in the first place is a win. For the longest time we didn’t ever get anything. Matter of fact, we still bring our own tea, kettle, cups, and water just in case we don’t get those.
D: Sandwiches, or any snack platters. Anything I can stack and put in my mouth is good.
P: I just like being hydrated, so any sort of drink. I like diet sodas. I like water.
How does it feel to go from playing backyard shows all over the Inland Empire, to headlining a show at Fox Pomona?
A: It’s really crazy for sure. At one point, it felt impossible to get even a backyard show. I remember when trying to get a backyard show was the most important thing in the world for us and to think that now everybody we’ve met has made it possible for us to headline a space as important as the Fox Theater is such a blessing.
P: I just think it’s surreal – I think, as a boy from the Inland Empire it’s crazy to get to headline the Fox Theater. I think it’s a gift to be able to be in those spaces.
D: It feels REALLY good.
J: It’s like a dream realized – it makes all the years of grinding really worth it. Makes me feel important.
How did growing up in the IE influence your sound?
A: There definitely is a lot of great music coming out of this area, and being part of it influences me at least to want to grow and improve with our peers. Almost a sort of friendly rivalry right? Learning from each other and expanding upon it.
P: Not to be cliché, but I think growing up in the IE influences us to be hungry and want to be definitive and want to be distinct from everything that is coming out and existing currently. I think it pushes us to want more.
D: For me, I think being close to the SoCal music scene: LA, Pomona, there’s a lot of creative music coming out of this place and you pick up on a lot over the years.
J: Living in SoCal, we got the surf elements but we also have something that tends to stick with other Hispanic people.
What were some of the inspirations behind The Internal Theater?
A: The album as a whole deals with themes of inner conflict and the feelings surrounding the need to “perform” for others in your life. I feel like that manifested in the different sounds across the album. Some songs being real punky and fast while others are super broody. Even within the same song, like "Spineless" having two competing sounds with the crooning verse and the grungy chorus. I was definitely inspired by bands like The Beatles, The Doors, Nirvana, Frank Sinatra, The Strokes, Dean Martin. Acts like that.
How has your sound evolved since Gradients?
A: Yeah we’ve definitely grown our sound up a bit so to speak. We really wanted to challenge ourselves with this record, and adding different layers and time signatures.
P: I think The Internal Theater is us maturing and growing up with our sound. Not that we weren’t serious before, but this new sound is more definite and shows that we really are serious with our sound.
D: The sound evolved more outwards, it got wider I guess you know? At least for my guitar playing, I felt freer. I was able to be experimental but also be confident. The sound is more confident I would say for sure. The scope has gotten wider compared to before.
J: We’re definitely more experimental, like with "The Pit" and stuff. Diego’s guitar parts that are just weird. I would say louder too.
Where do you feel the most inspired?
A: I feel like I get most inspired in my room real late at night when everybody’s asleep. I can focus because of how quiet it is and it lets me get real creative. In terms of inspiration of the heart, I definitely get more inspired seeing all the people our music has affected. I love talking to them and hearing what they have to say.
P: I think I feel the most creative when I’m with [the band]. When I’m with my friends or after watching a piece of media, like a movie or a show. That stuff is super crucial and influential to the process of being inspired.
D: At my desk right after I clean my room. I feel like I have a clear head and clear space to be creative in.
J: The road, because you’re taking it day by day. And when people are showing up to the shows and we have a sick show, it keeps the fire burning.
