SoCal Soundcheck

Lex Borja's musical roots run four generations deep. His great-grandfather was a trumpet player. His grandmother was a singer who directed a 12-piece mariachi, and once stopped them mid-song to correct the key (an 8-year-old Lex was watching front row). His mother is also a singer with a strong voice.Lex started playing guitar at 8, started singing at 14, and has been playing venues since he was 18. He's 41 now and leads a band called Lextacy.In this episode, Lex and Brian get into:- Growing up in Tijuana with three-day family parties where everyone sang or played an instrument- Being immersed in 90s pop and R&B (Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel) alongside mariachi- Auditioning for La Academia in Mexico (2010), American Idol (2011, made it to Hollywood Week and the top 50), and The Voice Mexico (4 episodes on national TV, coached by Wisin y Yandel)- The chair-turn moment on The Voice Mexico, when his hands cramped from the electricity and he had to stop playing guitar mid-song- Auditioning for nine years before getting on The Voice- Why he chose to sing in Spanish on The Voice (English is his second language, and he felt he could be more sincere transmitting emotion in Spanish)- The story of being booked to perform on opening night of New York Fashion Week (Runway 7), and how it started with a song he wrote called "Never Thought" four months earlier- Auditioning for The Voice in LA in 2022 and getting blocked due to being on probation- How Lextacy can grow up to a 9-piece band when the venue can afford the full lineup- The songwriting practice of mumbling first, logic second (a technique he learned from the Beatles)- His three tests for new mixes: phone test, shitty wireless speaker, and car test- How writing songs became his way to say what he couldn't say out loud, traced back to his single mom leaving letters on his pillow- Why you can't blindly trust the setlist, and how to read the room- His new single "Dañado" (releasing May 29) and what damaged means to himMemorable moments from the episode:When Lex talks about transforming pre-show panic into something useful, he says: "If you don't control your nerves, your nerves will eat you up and just leave you stranded to dry."Reflecting on what kept him going through 9 years of auditions and a probation block that cost him a spot on The Voice in LA, Lex shares the philosophy that drives him: "I don't want the what-if on my life."Toward the end of the conversation, Lex makes a direct appeal to anyone holding back a song they're scared to release: "Don't be stingy. Share that shit. Because I guarantee you that whatever you're going through, there's someone else out there going through a similar situation that that song could potentially shine some light, perspective, or lift someone up."And on his core identity as an artist, when asked about playing alongside skilled guitarists: "I'm a singer. I'll go toe to toe with any singer. Put me. Let's go, baby. And I don't care if I get crushed, but I'll hold my ground."Where to find Lex:- New single "Dañado" releasing Friday, May 29 on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and other major platforms- Live release performance: Saturday, May 30 at Miramonte Winery, performing the song live for the first time with the band- Lex has approximately 17 songs on Spotify, with multiple songs around the 50K stream mark (many listeners are coming from outside the US, including Spain, France, Brazil, and Mexico)Lextacy band members shouted out in this episode: Josh Lomeli (guitar), Cody Burson (bass), Miguel Diaz (drums), Nicolai Flores (trombone), Music Man Mark (trumpet), Cameron Evans, Kole Weber (saxophone), and Dave DeNuccio (percussion).

Rick Hildebrandt has been gigging in Southern California since 2011, when he traded 54 years of upstate New York for a place in Menifee. After retiring from an IT career at Loma Linda Hospital in 2018, music became the full-time job. Today he plays solo, performs as half of the K-Ray Acoustic Duo with Kelly Ray, and hosts two open mics: Thursdays at The Hive and the second and fourth Tuesdays at Ronis West in Murrieta.In this episode, Rick walks through the philosophy behind his approach (he treats every gig as a partnership with the venue, not a performance), the gear and software that lets one guy sound like a full band, and the song-selection formula he's used to keep dance floors full at Lorimar Winery, Stone Church Brewing, and Lady R Bistro. We also get into his influences (Allman Brothers, Brian Setzer, Albert Lee), his Telecaster setup, and why he hasn't brought an amp to a gig in years.What we cover:Rick's path from upstate New York to Menifee, and 35 years playing with his brother in law Why he picked up the guitar at 12, and the influence of his mother's sight-reading pianoFirst electric: a Gretsch country gentleman bought after selling a 1972 Bultaco Pursang motocross bikeToday's rig: Telecaster, Boss GT-1000, no amp on stage, plus the custom 5-way switch Tele he's currently buildingHow he builds backing tracks in Studio One from MIDI files, tailored to a consistent band soundThe 4-fast, 1-slow song formula (and why "B-side" deep cuts don't fill dance floors)Why he plays three hours straight with no breaksThe K-Ray Acoustic Duo with Kelly Ray, and why finding a singer with an ear for harmony is harder than it soundsThe mindset shift that changed his career: musicians as partners in the venue's businessOpen mic logistics, including the on-screen queue system Rick's wife runsInfluences, slide technique (metal Dunlop, pinky finger), and why he's on 10-46 stringsWhere to find Rick:Website: rickhildebrandt.comOpen Mic at The Hive: Thursdays, 7 to 10 PMOpen Mic at Roney's West (Murrieta): 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6 to 9 PMUpcoming: Lorimar Winery (Wednesday, 12:30 to 3:30) and Wilson Creek Winery for Mother's Day with Kelly Rae (Sunday, 1 to 4 PM)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rick_hildebrandt/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.hildebrandt.9

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, I sit down with Richard Wetherington - guitarist, songwriter, and frontman of the country-rock band Raw Fire.Originally from New Jersey and now in Southern California, Richard shares his journey into the local music scene.We discuss the power of networking, including how offering value through photography and gear support helped him build relationships with established musicians like John Demps. Richard also breaks down how Raw Fire came together - using Facebook, open mics, and some hustle to find the right lineup for his band.We also talk about the “science” behind a great live show, including why pacing and giving the audience breathing room can make or break a set. We also talk gear, from his Taylor guitars to his Blackstar tube amp, and how his sound comes together on stage.Finally, Richard shares what’s next - transitioning from a strong cover set into original music and building a distinct identity for Raw Fire.Follow Raw Fire on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rawfiremusic/

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with Temecula saxophone player Cole Weber, who spent most of his life resisting the very thing he's now built a career on.Cole grew up in Lake Elsinore surrounded by music (his dad is a working sax player), but wanted nothing to do with it. He chased competitive soccer instead, making a team ranked fourth in the nation, until two knee surgeries rerouted his path. Even through years of school band and a stint studying music production, he kept one foot out the door.The turning point came when he found himself at his girlfriend's parents' house with no job and no plan. She pushed him to give saxophone a real shot, his dad handed him some starter gear, and within three months he was booking full-time income.From there, the conversation gets into the realities of making a living as a working musician in Southern California: why Instagram outperforms every other platform for bookings, how word of mouth drives the Temecula scene, and the honest math behind solo gigs versus band splits. Cole also shares his five-year plan to move away from live performance and into producing and releasing original music, inspired by artists like Russ, Honest AV, and Nick D, who built audiences by dropping a song a week.Plus: the heartbreak songs that shaped his writing, and the life motto that changed how he approaches networking ("it's not a flex to be busy, be available").Connect: ColeWeberSax.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolewebersax/

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 performanceThe role of open mics and karaoke in building confidence and connectionsForming and growing her band Rose LineThe importance of community in the local music sceneFavorite venues like Somerset, Crush & Brew, and Murrieta Brewing CompanyHow social media and networking work together to land gigsHer vocal warm-up routine and how she protects her voiceThe relationship between crowd energy and song selectionAnna 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/

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, I sit down with singer-songwriter Faith Belle to talk about her journey into music, the power of authentic songwriting, and the influences that shaped her sound.Faith shares how she balances a full-time career in finance while pursuing music, why she refuses to be boxed into a single genre, and how personal experiences have shaped songs like Just Believe. We also dive into her early musical influences, her connection to the legendary Bon Jovi story from her hometown in New Jersey, and the importance of vulnerability in songwriting.We also talk about the evolving role of social media for musicians, performing live versus studio recordings, and the incredible community of artists involved with Nashville on the Coast.Faith also shares the story of meeting one of her musical inspirations, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, and how that moment reaffirmed her commitment to creating music that is real, honest, and impactful.If you love discovering new artists, hearing the stories behind the songs, and learning what drives musicians to create, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.In This Episode We Discuss:Faith Belle’s journey from New Jersey to the Southern California music sceneBalancing a full-time career in finance with musicMusical influences including jazz, blues, and countryThe power of authentic songwritingHer song Just Believe and writing from personal experiencesThe Nashville songwriting communityWhy she left Nashville to create her own soundSocial media and the modern musicianThe importance of live performancesMeeting Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVoxThe community behind Nashville on the CoastWhere to Find Faith BelleFollow Faith Belle on social media and catch her at upcoming live performances. Her music is available on major streaming platforms, and she frequently performs with the Nashville on the Coast songwriter community.

How do you go from busking on the Seal Beach Pier to becoming one of the most talked-about artists in the Temecula music scene in just five months?In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, host Brian Jensen sits down with singer-songwriter Bella Popa to talk about her musical journey - from a musical-theater-inspired homeschooling childhood to building a social media following of over 35,000 and writing her debut album.In this episode, we discuss:Growing up immersed in music and musical theater Teaching herself piano and guitar • Moving to Temecula and finding her place in the local music scene The realities of being a working musician The power of authenticity on social media Why song selection, stage volume, and dynamics matter at live gigs • Hosting open mic nights at Cougar Winery Writing and releasing her debut albumBella also opens up about songwriting, faith, and how artists can grow by staying consistent and building real connections.Follow Bella Popa: Website: https://bellapopa.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellapopaofficial/If you're in Temecula or the surrounding area, catch Bella live at her Wednesday open mic nights at Cougar Winery - and don’t miss her album release show at Crush & Brew on March 20th.

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, host Brian Jensen sits down with a friend and longtime bandmate Gene Kennedy, to talk about the importance of song selection in a cover band.

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, host Brian Jensen sits down with a friend and longtime bandmate from both past and present projects to talk about the transition from playing in a young, active original band to navigating life, aging, and the shift into the cover band world.