Los Angeles’ grunge-inspired alt-rock four piece Momma, led by co-singers and songwriters Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, have a new album, Two of Me, out now. We spoke to them about that, current events and more…

L.A. WEEKLY: How and when did the band form?

ALLEGRA WEINGARTEN: We met in high school and started playing together because Etta needed someone to help them out for a show they had booked, and asked me to help. We realized quickly that we work very symbiotically together and that we both had equal passion in continuing to create together and expand.

Describe your sound…

ETTA FRIEDMAN: We have some classic influences we usually pull out such as the Breeders, Liz Phair, Speedy Ortiz, Pavement and Pinback. However, for the making of this album, we drew on some specific artists depending on the song and the story we wanted to tell within the track itself. For example, while making “Stringers,” we were listening to and picking up influence from Stereolab; whereas a song like “Habitat” draws upon the tonality of Smashing Pumpkins while telling a story similar to that of ELO’s Eldorado.

Tell us about the new album… is there a theme/concept?

AW: Yes! We wanted to write a concept album that tells a larger story through characters and their internal experiences. Discussing morality and punishment, we created a place called “The Bug House” that each character referenced comes in contact with at one point or another in the album. We wanted to discuss the duality that takes place within oneself, and coming to terms with what may be considered one’s “darker side.”

How are you coping with lockdown and current events? 

EF: Lockdown has given us a lot of time to focus on current events. We are taking a deliberate role by attending protests, signing petitions, donating money, and trying conscientiously to be as active as we can be because we are passionate about fighting the injustice at hand.

What else do you have planned for the rest of the year?

AW: Everything for our future is kind of dependent on the COVID atmosphere. So, in the meantime, we are demoing, writing, preparing for another album, as well as trying to stay active in our communities by protesting, calling our representatives, etc.

Two of Me is out now through Danger Collective.

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