During the onset of May, on a pleasantly warm spring day, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Republic Records and be introduced to a five-member band renowned for their one-of-a-kind theatrical flair and commanding stage performances.
Hailing from Los Angeles, meet The Scarlet Opera. The quintet is led by lyricist and frontman Luka Bazulka and features longtime friends Colin Kenrick on the keyboard, Daniel Zuker on bass, Justin Siegal on drums, and Chance Taylor on guitar. Having had an extremely successful year in 2023, the band has already released their first single of 2024, “Catch Me If You Can,” and is currently on their headlining tour, which began mid-May.
Despite The Scarlet Opera’s busy schedule, the band made some time to answer some questions before embarking on their current tour.
Congratulations on your newest single, “Catch Me If You Can!” This is your first release of 2024 since your last single and debut EP. I’m sure there were other songs in the vault that could have been chosen, so what made “Catch Me If You Can” that single?
Luka Bazulka: We felt like it was a very electric introduction to the new gritty and bold sound that we have taken on with this new EP, coming away from a whimsical, silly EP like Comedy. We wanted to make sure people understood that we meant business.
You guys originally formed as “Perta” and have since been reborn as “The Scarlet Opera.” How has this transformative era been since claiming the new name, and what does this band name mean to you?
Colin Kenrick: I would say the transformation happened alongside the creation of the first EP. In the midst of kind of creating the music, we felt that our old band name, Perta, didn’t exemplify what we had become or what we were kind of aiming to do, and we needed something a little more representative of the theatricality of the music that we at the time realized was going to be what we were going to be for the long run. Going into that, we didn’t really have a genre or a style, so I think the name was born of the music, which is a nice feeling, and representative of the scarlet lettering in our bio—the people that are misunderstood, people that are a little outcast, that seem to be who we felt like we were and also who it felt like connected with our music the most. We wanted to be true to that.
You guys hit the ground running in 2023 and haven’t stopped since, from touring with Ava Max, debuting on The Late Night Show with James Corden, and being nominated for “Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards. Throughout these milestones, has there been any specific moment, big or small, that’s made you guys feel that “We made it” sensation?
Danny Zucker: We were on our last tour of the Comedy Tour, and I was walking with Zac, our manager, to the liquor store or the convenience store across the street from the venue. I was getting a Red Bull for the guys, and this person was staring at me next to me, and they were like, “Are you from The Scarlet Opera?” I’m like, “Yeah,” and just kind of struck up a conversation, so that was a little nice moment of “Oh, people know who we are. That’s pretty cool.”
Justin Siegal: While the awards or the nominations were very cool, just having people post your music, see you on the street, tag you in things, or speak to how it’s resonating with them or affecting them, that’s probably the coolest thing, and I think that always will be for me.
Danny: I agree.
Colin: “The Late Late Show” was pretty cool.
Luka: Yeah, that was pretty surreal.
Colin: The day we got there, we’re like, “I’ve seen so many people do this; that’s wild.”
Danny: James Corden pulling us aside before going on and just glowing about us was also a nice moment. Someone who’s that famous to get on our level and just be like, “You guys are incredible. I’m obsessed with what you do,” is wonderful and very validating.
Have there been any moments where it felt like everything was too much, and how have you, both individually and as a band, handled those moments? From your first live show together as a band to now, what lessons have you learned and how have you guys overcome sudden obstacles during live performances?
Luka: Inevitably in life, there are high highs and low lows. In this industry in particular, the highs are even higher, and the lows, therefore, are much lower. When we have too much time off the stage, the unnecessary voices of evil tend to sink in a little deeper than they should. It’s a lesson learned that this band truly is a family in all aspects. We pick on each other, and then we also really lift each other up when it’s necessary. At the end of the day, all of the people in the industry that surround us are really wonderful, but this band started because five kids had a dream to make music that moves themselves and moves other people. That’s really at the core of what we’re doing and the thing I’d like to focus on.
Colin: I think we all have been in that position where we go, “Is this what I’m gonna do forever? Is this my life?” Other times, it’s like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I get to do this forever. This is my life with these guys.” To Luka’s point, I don’t know how I would do this alone. I don’t know how any of us would be in those moments of doubt or those moments of highs not having someone to go, “Hey, I’m really struggling right now. Can you guys tell me how great this is or lift me up?” It’s really hard to do it alone. I definitely have my moments where I have to walk in and be like, “Guys, I’m struggling today. Can you pick me up?” Without fail every time, four guys will be like, “Yep, we got you.”
Justin: There’s definitely just a profound, almost an oil and water, thing when it comes to creativity and art and the demands of the machine of social media and keeping up with people’s attention these days. Just navigating that can take its toll on anybody. I think that’s resonating throughout this industry and other creative pursuits.
What was the writing and production process like for “Catch Me If You Can?” The breakdown at the bridge is one of my favorite parts of the song. How did that part come to life? What inspired the lyrics? Was there anything different or challenging about this single’s creative process that stands out?
Luka: The song came about because I didn’t feel jaded, but there was a lot of anger, frustration, and boldness. I had written down in my notes “Catch me if you can” because it’s kind of like that ‘Na-na-na-na-na’ thing when you’re a kid. There was something very childish and playful about it still that I loved about saying this to the people who have tried to dismiss us. The EP overall ended up being about self-reflection, so that “Mirror mirror, please don’t watch me cut my ties” in the second verse is very much about self-reflection. The top line drives from me being childish and wanting to say to the people who have been tedious to catch up.
Justin: It’s just kind of a fun moment. It’s the final build before the chorus where the harmony comes in. It has the most energy, so it’s like the reloading phase. The drums kind of fill around the section. I think our live show really took that and ran with it. It’s like the evolved version to suit a live show with special moments. I’m very excited to reveal that song, that specific section. Chance did an amazing job arranging that for the live show, and I think it’s honestly one of the highlights of the set. We come out of the gate with it, so I think it’s really gonna hit.
You guys are about to embark on your US headline tour. How do you guys feel about it and what can fans expect to see on stage? Will fans be surprised by any unreleased tracks?
Danny: They’re definitely gonna be surprised by some unreleased tracks; [we] can guarantee that.
Luka: We’ve been trying to train our fanbase as much as we possibly can to learn at least the chorus lyrics before we get out there because we only have the one single out, and more will be coming out in the coming weeks. We’re trying to make it as little of a surprise. What I will say is that the boys have done an incredible job at flourishing the instrumental arrangements for the live show, as they always do. If you love the song “Big City Thing” from the Comedy EP, how you hear it live is absolutely absurdly different in the very best way. It goes kind of off the rails, and my body literally cannot help but dance to the point of maybe dying every single time. It’s so wildly bombastic. But the boys have done it again, and because of that, I unfortunately will once again be sweaty and carried away with the music. A big portion of that is thanks to the wonderful mind and ear of Chance Taylor kind of conducting all of it. But like Justin said, there’s drum solos, we’ve added some very intimate moments where finally you guys don’t have to just look at me. The boys take center stage and spotlight. There’s a lot of really wonderful surprises in store.
Colin: I think the live show is where we feel the most free to do our thing. Luka, especially in interviews, is very cognizant of bringing the four of us up, which doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. So, in that sense, a lot of the live show comes from our ability as musicians. But at the same time, I think something that Luka has brought to that is what is in the music, which is this sense of theater and this sense you’re not just seeing a band play a show where we’re just standing at our instruments. Every song has a character. Every song has a story. The set has a flow. With our individual prowess at our instruments and Lucas’ individual prowess at his voice and his storytelling, I think we’ve gotten really good as a team, led by Luka on the performance side and Chance on the musical side to create not just a good musical show but a good narrative throughout the show.
Which city are you most excited to perform on this tour? Is there a specific city or show you performed in the past that’s stuck with you that you want to outdo?
Chance: Boston.
Justin: I would agree with Boston as well, for where we need to have another go.
Chance: I went to school there, and I lived there for a couple of years. It’s a second home. Good vibes.N
Justin: Looking back on the memories and the videos, we played a show in Portland at the Crystal Ballroom, and we were just on that night. It’s reflected in the videos. The audience was just in it. There’s amazing footage of Luka cat walking through the audience. That’s probably the best show we may have ever played, and I think we hope to one-up that one.
Colin: Oh, I think we can.
Danny: The most cliché answer ever, but the homecoming show is always special.
Colin: I’m also personally excited about Washington, D.C. because we’ve never actually been there, and it was the first we sold out. We’ve actually never been to D.C. at all, so I feel like we’ve been neglecting a place that is giving us a lot of love, so I’m excited to find out.
What song or songs are you most excited to perform on this tour?
Justin: Personally, “Catch Me If You Can” is my favorite song in the set to perform.
Luka: Yeah, “Catch Me If You Can,” I think. It’s very hot to perform.
Chance: I concur.
Colin: I’m gonna say “Slutty.”
Danny: “What Good Is Love” is a banger.
What else can fans expect in 2024?
Luka: I think, honestly, new music that might take another turn. If Comedy was whimsical and “Catch Me If You Can” is epic, just know that we’re always going to give you something a little different each time, so new music with a bit of a different taste.
Colin: More live shows. Bigger shows. More costumes. We’re bringing back the theater.
Luka: Yeah, theater is so back, babe. It’s so good. It’s gonna be very fun.
Since chatting with the band in May, The Scarlet Opera have been quietly preparing for their latest unveilment. Keeping true to their word of more new music to come, The Scarlet Opera has just released their latest single, “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em,” on June 7th.
Taking their unique theatrical, glam-rock sound to the next level, “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em” features whimsical build-ups before each chorus, delivering a classic rock sound filled with upbeat drums and guitar to fans. The glissando at the end of the bridge, as the chorus builds up with a chant, is a key moment of the track that’s hard to forget. While still giving us something different, the track is reminiscent of their unique “regal rock” sound, with elements of whimsy and epicness intertwined.
Luka Bazulka’s vocals shine throughout the song, but especially during the high note right before the final chorus, which echoes the nostalgic essence and larger-than-life theatricality that defined the golden age of classic rock. The track has an infectious flair to it as it tugs and pulls you in different directions, showcasing the influences of classic rock bands like Led Zepplin, The Beatles, and Queen and iconic artists like Tina Turner and Prince. “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em” takes the audience on an epic musical journey with its vibrant, playful melodies, whimsical buildups, and upbeat chorus, guaranteeing a glamorous live performance filled with flair that fans won’t forget.
The “Catch Me if You Can” Tour is coming to an end. After hitting cities like San Diego, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and many others, The Scarlet Opera is ending their tour on June 9th with their final stop being Washington, D.C., at the Songbyrd Music House. Catch The Scarlet Opera on their final tour date and be sure to check out their two latest singles, “Catch Me if You Can” and “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em,” now on all streaming platforms!
