Girl at the Rock Shows

I’ve been told that I can have a bit of an “Evil Eye.” If you ask me, an evil eye is much worse than a bout of RBF (resting bitch face) because, truthfully, it can be a bit more painful. I think I do it without really knowing. My friends will be the first to tell people that I can’t hide anything. I wear my thoughts on my face so, yeah, I can have a bit of an evil eye and it’s not something anyone wants to be on the receiving end of. when No Grudges sent me their new song “Evil Eye,” this is the first thing that came to mind. Was this song going to make me go all evil eye? It did but more in a jealousy way. I was jealous of anyone who has ever gotten to see this song performed live because it screams perfection when it comes to a live setting. I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to see New York City-based No Grudges perform this song live but I knew that I wanted to learn as much as I could about this band so I jumped on the opportunity to ask them a few questions and get to know them a bit better.

What’s your go-to coffee order?

Crystalla: Usually an oat milk latte with cinnamon. Sometimes I switch it up and add sugar-free vanilla.

Gabriel: Iced coffee with almond milk, no sugar. I have become a very boring person.

Everyone says that every crowd is their favorite, but what city has the best audience and why is it Minneapolis?

Gabriel: I don’t have a favorite crowd per se, but I will say—when Crystalla and I busk on the NYC subway, I really appreciate when a stranger ends up following or tipping us just from hearing a few seconds of us performing. There’s a lot of reassurance in that.

If you could have dinner with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Crystalla: Probably Aretha Franklin. To me, she’s one of the best vocalists of all time. I’ve always loved how fearless and emotional she was. You’ll never hear her perform a song the same way twice—every time it’s unique and special.

Gabriel: If I could have dinner with any musician who has passed, it would have to be Miles Davis. He lived through some of the most intense transitions in music from the ’40s through the ’70s. He’s one of the few who can say he’s seen it all. He was incredibly unique and had complete control over his instrument—I aspire to that.

Have you ever been able to finish a Rubik’s Cube?

Crystalla: Never! Maybe I’ll add that to my list of fun challenges this year.

Gabriel: Not at all. What New Yorker has time for that? I aspire to have the time though—it sounds fun.

How would you describe your music to your grandma?

Crystalla: I’d say it’s rock ’n’ roll. She already knows it’s loud and doesn’t always understand why I love it so much.

Gabriel: Very loud and angry—that’s probably what they’d think. I’m Puerto Rican and Colombian, so my traditional music is different, but artists like Carlos Santana and Juanes taught me how to blend Latin and rock. They’re huge influences for me.

What’s an old-school fad you wish would come back?

Crystalla: Honestly, ’90s platforms—but they’re already making a comeback. I’ve noticed UGG brought platforms back in their recent collections.

Gabriel: I wish T-shirts with mini sleeve bands would come back. I don’t even know what they’re called, but I loved folding them up. Other than that, 2000s fashion has already blended into modern style, which is pretty cool.

What’s your favorite method of listening to music?

Crystalla: Vinyl. There’s something about putting on a record and listening all the way through.

Gabriel: Vinyl, forever. It’s such an intimate experience. I love that things can go wrong—the record skipping, the needle jumping—it makes listening feel risky. It challenges you to really want to hear the music. Growing up, music wasn’t always accessible. You had to hope a store had the CD or vinyl, or risk your computer exploding on Napster. I miss those days.

What’s the most awkward date you’ve ever been on?

Gabriel: Since Crystalla and I are still together, I can’t recall too many awkward dates—but when we were younger, we had to go on dates with her parents. That was definitely awkward… but also kind of fun.

Crystalla: I second that! Lol.

If you could compare yourself to a style of shoe, what would it be and why?

Crystalla: Platform boots or platform sneakers—edgy, a little dramatic, but still comfy.

Gabriel: Black-and-white Converse All-Star Chucks. If you know me, you know that’s all I wear.

Favorite lyrics of all time?

Crystalla: “Creep” by Radiohead always comes to mind. It hits every time. I wish I wrote that song. Also “I Need Somebody” by The Stooges.

Gabriel: “Sober” by Tool—

“I will find a center in you…”

It really captures the mindset of manipulative people. I love how Maynard shifts between victim and perpetrator—it’s like a one-person show. That’s incredibly hard to do.

What’s the worst concert you’ve ever been to and why?

Gabriel: As a music teacher, I try not to judge other musicians. I wouldn’t say I’ve been to a bad concert—but I’ve met bad people at concerts. That bothers me more than anything—when people don’t practice what they preach.

If you were to rob a bank, what would be the song playing in the getaway car?

Crystalla: “B**** Better Have My Money” — perfect dramatic exit energy.

Gabriel: Probably the soundtrack to Fight Club… and I’d hire a DJ to play it live at the bank. I was a theater kid—you can tell.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

Crystalla: A tie between Linkin Park (with Emily Armstrong) and Paramore on the This Is Why tour. I cried so much—it was beautiful seeing that connection between the band and the crowd.

Gabriel: Buddy Guy, 2013 at B.B. King’s in NYC. He walked through the crowd and I literally cried when he passed me.

What’s one thing I should know before listening to “Evil Eye”?

Crystalla: I grew up hearing about the evil eye—how people’s jealousy or bad intentions can stick to you. Being Greek, Puerto Rican, and Dominican, that idea was always around me. This song is about that energy… and the need to cleanse it. It’s a journey of recognizing it and releasing it.

Gabriel: We’re a fully independent band from NYC, so everything you hear comes directly from our personal experiences. Our longtime bassist Luis Padilla and Lawrence Bowens (Mariah Carey, Doja Cat, Giveon) are also on the track.

You mentioned the symbolism of the evil eye—can you expand on that?

Crystalla: The evil eye appears in many cultures as a symbol of protection. The song explores how people can project jealousy or negativity onto you, and how important it is to recognize that and protect your energy.

Gabriel: In Latino culture, we call it “mal de ojo.” Whether people see it as superstition or not, we can all agree that jealousy and envy affect how people treat you—and that energy is real.

Was there a particular act that inspired this song?

Crystalla: Bands like Paramore, Radiohead, and Evanescence shaped the vibe. The ending—the “cleanse”—has this gospel-like groove. It’s about reclaiming yourself after going through that negativity.

Gabriel: Rage Against the Machine, especially “Freedom.” I wanted that energy but with our own twist.

Say you had to replace the guitar with a non-traditional instrument—what would you pick?

Crystalla: A violin through distortion pedals—that would sound wild.

Gabriel: A Puerto Rican cuatro. It sounds like home to me.

Where was the track written?

Crystalla: Partly at home, partly in the studio. The bridge and ending came together in the moment in the studio—it felt magical.

Gabriel: It started in our apartment and was recorded at SAE Institute in NYC after a conversation about jealousy in friendships.

If a top-40 pop star covered this song, who would you want it to be?

Gabriel: Kelly Clarkson would crush it. Also Hayley Williams. Seeing Paramore at Madison Square Garden really inspired us—we want to play there one day.

“Evil Eye” is your third single. What comes next?

Crystalla: More music and more shows—we’re finishing up our first EP and can’t wait for everyone to hear it!! 

Is there anything else you want people to know?

Crystalla: No Grudges is about honesty and feeling everything fully. We put everything into our music and especially our live shows, so I really want people to come experience that in person. And no matter what you’re going through, just keep going—you never know what’s on the other side of that.

Gabriel: People either really support what I do or think it’s stupid—but I live to express myself and inspire others to do the same. If it makes you happy and doesn’t hurt anyone, go for it.

Both: We’re also excited to be stepping into this next chapter—with our EP coming out soon, our live band Daniela on bass and Stevie on drums, and upcoming shows like Punk Island on June 27—bringing even more energy to everything we do.

No Grudges is clearly a band that practices what they preach. You can feel authenticity throughout this explosive single and I love the way that authenticity came through loud and clear throughout their answers to my questions. Make sure you throw this band some love on their socials so you can possibly catch them live and so you don’t miss any more singles or music they put out including their first EP which should be out soon!

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