badsoma started small. The band began as the solo project of Iranian-American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Armin Fard, formed in the wake of Los Angeles’ post-pandemic underground scene. What began as one writer’s outlet turned into something wider. Over time, badsoma grew into a six-piece indie rock outfit built on collaboration and a shared sense of direction. Each member brought a voice, and each voice helped shape the sound.
That shift from solo work to a full collective changed the music itself. badsoma leans on the perspective of every player, and the results reflect a group that writes together rather than around a single leader. Listeners can hear more of that current direction through tracks like Dragonflies on SoundCloud, which point toward the psychedelic textures the group has been chasing.
From One Songwriter to a Six-Piece Band
badsoma’s self-titled EP marked the turn toward a shared approach. The record featured on Bandcamp’s New and Notable, and outlets covered it, including the NPR-affiliated station KMUW. The EP also reached number 144 on the North American College and Community (NACC) chart, an early sign of the band’s reach on college and community radio.
The writing stayed communal throughout. Every member contributed, which fits the group’s stated ethos. The music is collaborative in method, conscious of social and environmental themes in its subject matter, and comfortable moving between the intimate and the universal. Another track, Sugar Coated Pop on SoundCloud, sits alongside that catalog and shows the range the band works across.
Building the Sound in the Studio
Armin and percussionist Braden Rose produced the EP. The two worked to turn early ideas into finished pieces. badsoma recorded most of the EP at MooseCat Recording in Los Angeles. The band completed additional production and overdubs at Armin’s home studio in Long Beach. There, the group tested mixing strategies meant to capture the immediacy and drama of their live shows.
The setup gave the band room to experiment. Home recording let them chase specific textures without a clock running. The studio work in LA anchored the core tracks. Together, the two spaces shaped a record that carries the energy of a live room.
How the badsoma Lineup Came Together
The lineup formed step by step. Guitarist Kenzie (Starlit) Alvarado studied with Braden at the Conservatory for Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona. Her background in blues met a newer passion for guitar, and she found a creative home in LA. Alvarado and Braden then brought in longtime friend Donald Segien, a fixture in the local scene and a bass player known as both a musician and a local mixology figure.
The band kept growing as it played more shows. In 2024, violinist and vocalist Lindsey Hamilton joined, and her string arrangements added a new layer to the sound. Shane Karan came on as second guitarist to round out the current lineup. Fans can follow the full group and its updates on the band’s Instagram profile.
What Comes Next for badsoma
badsoma is now recording a follow-up. The new record takes fresh risks in song form and reimagines the group as a psychedelic outfit. The band again chose to self-produce, a decision that reflects Armin’s growing work as a producer and arranger.
The direction points forward while keeping the collaborative method intact. For music, show news, and release updates, readers can visit the band’s official website, badsoma.com. The next chapter builds on the same idea that started it all. badsoma works as a group, and the music grows from that shared table.
