badsoma came together in the aftermath of Los Angeles’ post-pandemic underground scene. It started as the solo project of Armin Fard, an Iranian-American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who wanted an outlet for his own material. That outlet did not stay solo for long. Over time it grew into a six-piece indie rock band shaped by collaboration, where each member added a voice and a perspective to the sound.
The turning point came with badsoma’s self-titled EP. The record landed on Bandcamp’s New and Notable, and it drew coverage from outlets including the NPR-affiliated station KMUW. It also reached number 144 on the North American College and Community chart, an early sign that the music was connecting with listeners beyond LA. On that EP, the band widened its focus, mixing personal storytelling with social and environmental themes.
A Band Built on Shared Writing
Every member of badsoma contributed to the writing, and that shows in the finished songs. The band describes itself as collaborative at its core, conscious of the world around it, and willing to move between the intimate and the universal within a single track. Armin Fard and percussionist Braden Rose steered the sessions as producers, turning early sketches into complete arrangements.
Most of the EP was recorded at MooseCat Recording in Los Angeles. The group finished additional production and overdubs at Armin’s home studio in Long Beach. There the band tested different mixing approaches, all aimed at capturing the energy and drama of its live shows. You can hear that live feel on tracks like Dragonflies and Sugar Coated Pop.
How the Lineup Came Together
The current lineup formed step by step rather than all at once. Guitarist Kenzie Alvarado, who performs as Starlit, studied alongside Braden at the Conservatory for Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona. Her roots in blues met a newer passion for guitar, and she found a creative home in the LA scene. She and Braden brought in Donald Segien, a familiar face around town who plays bass and holds a second reputation as a local mixology legend.
The group kept growing as it played more shows. In 2024, violinist and vocalist Lindsey Hamilton joined, and her string arrangements opened up a richer dimension in the sound. Shane Karan came on as second guitarist to round things out, completing the six-piece lineup that badsoma works with today.
What Comes Next for badsoma
badsoma is now recording its follow-up record. The new material takes fresh risks with song structure and points the band in a psychedelic direction. Once again, the group has chosen to self-produce, a decision that reflects Armin Fard’s growing confidence as a producer and arranger. Listeners who want to keep up can follow badsoma on Instagram or visit badsoma’s official website for updates and releases.
