It’s possible that you missed Cardiknox’s lovely, synthy anthem “Where I’m Headed” on Teen Wolf, but we are here to tell you that they’ve got just the right amount of keyboard, and attitude, and vocalist Lonnie Angle sounds more than a little like Cyndi Lauper.
Then there’s Hold Me Down, a song with guitar track so heavy that we kept expecting Slash from Guns n Roses to jump out from behind an amp and start ripping an epic solo. And just in case you didn’t think that there have been enough hammond organs in popular music over the last few years, they’ve thrown a couple in for good measure. Young Adult Magazine caught up with Cardiknox to find out what makes them tick.
Young Adult Magazine: What was the inspiration behind your name? Do either of you particularly like wearing cardigans or are you from Knoxville, Tennessee? If not, we’re stumped.
Cardiknox: Haha, good guess! The name Cardiknox is a play on Thomas’ mom’s maiden name, Cardinaux.
YA: How did you guys meet and how long have you been making music together?
CK: We met about 6 years ago through mutual friends. Thomas grew up with my best friend from college. We initially started working together on adapting a musical. Thomas was working at a recording studio at the time and brought me in to see what it was like to record a song. I was hooked and we slowly started working on what would become Cardiknox. That was a few years ago. We only recently really buckled down and started to focus on it.
YA: How did the Teen Wolf collaboration come about?
CK: We were in LA a few months ago and stopped by the MTV offices in Santa Monica to play a stripped down set for them. They’ve been kind enough to feature our songs in a few different shows now, including Teen Wolf. We had never seen it before, but we thought the songs fit really well!
YA: Your video for Hold me Down is like something from a Bond title sequence, and we mean that in the most flattering way. Were you thinking about Grace Jones when you came up with the concept?
CK: Thanks! We wanted it to be simple and bold and dramatic. In that way, you’re right, it’s very much like a Bond title sequence. Even when the Bond movies are less than stellar, you can always count on a quality title sequence. We filmed the video in LA with our good friend David Kalani. He was able to turn our limited resources into a really great video. And our other two friends, Natalie and Lindsay, generously lent their dancing skills. Those two are now on tour with an up and coming artist named Justin Timberlake. He’s pretty obscure.
YA: There are only two of you. Any romance between you guys? It worked for the White Stripes.
CK: We’re best friends.
YA: Who plays all the instruments in the band?
CK: Most of the music is made from samples and synths. But in a live setting, Thomas plays guitar, drum machine and keyboard, and we have another key player, Chris, who plays with us as well.
YA: What does 2014 have in store for Cardiknox? Any further permeation of the world of young adult television?
CK: Well, we’re heading to SXSW, which we’re really excited about it. Then we head out on Betty Who’s full national tour. A bunch of the shows are already sold out.
YA: When and where can I catch you live?
CK: On the Betty Who tour in March and April. All our tour dates are at www.cardiknox.com.
YA: Lonnie, you have a great look. If the pop career doesn’t pan out would you consider becoming my stylist?
CK: Aw, thanks! Very sweet of you. I can style you on the side! Have your people call my people. 😉
YA: What 5 songs are playing on your iPod right now?
CK: Kid Astray – Like You Care
A$AP Rocky – Fashion Killa
Wet – Dreams
Lorde – Glory & Gore
Superhumanoids – Too Young For Love