Souldies at The Stockyard
A love for the art of music was the common thread tying everyone together on a sun-soaked afternoon in Old Town Orcutt, California. Thanks to NuTone Records, I made my way to Blast 825 Brewery and the Stockyard behind it for a day packed with music, food, and community. This time, it was The Charities and The McCharmlys lighting up the stage.
There’s something quietly electric about The McCharmlys—like flipping over a dusty 45 in your garage and discovering it hits harder than anything your algorithm could ever find. Based in Santa Ana, this modern soul outfit grooves in the golden hour between vintage doo-wop, surf rock, and Chicano soul. Led by vocalist Angie Monroy—whose voice slices through the fuzz like a neon-lit jukebox—The McCharmlys aren't chasing nostalgia. They are the moment. Their name feels like a Beatles B-side that never got pressed: playful, classic, and cool without trying too hard. A nod to an era they clearly love, made fresh and undeniably their own.
At a time when soul revival is cresting again, The McCharmlys don’t imitate the past—they honor it and elevate it. Their 2023 self-titled debut LP is a bundle of analog emotion: horns, harmonies, heartbreak, and heat. When I finally caught them in Orcutt this spring, it wasn’t just the sound that stuck with me—it was the feeling. The kind that reminds you music is meant to move you, even when you don't know where it's taking you.
When I spoke with Angie, she lit up while reflecting on her place in the LA soul scene. "I love music. Nothing else really exists. It's curiosity that pushes me to create, and the band feels like we're in the right groove, ready for what's next." Her passion is contagious, the whole band radiates it. Eddie shared how Angie sets the creative tone but leaves the door wide open for collaboration. "I've been taking on more of a role lately. It's very collaborative and engaging, and we're just having so much fun as the band gains steam."
It was a stacked bill—one of those nights where you know something special is brewing. I genuinely believe both The McCharmlys and The Charities are on the cusp of something bigger, and it felt humbling to be in the room while these artists carved out their next chapter. Throughout the evening, I chatted with both bands, tossing out fun and thought-provoking questions. At one point I asked Angie, "If the McCharmlys could be the soundtrack to any spy movie..."
Before I could finish, she belted out: "GoooooldFINGER!" The answer was loud, clear, and full of charm.
When the same question was fielded to the members of The Charities the group consensus was “how fun would it be to hear something like “Angel Eyes” in Austin Powers.”
Both The McCharmlys and The Charities have new 45s and singles out—The McCharmlys with NuTone, and The Charities with Colemine. While The McCharmlys are still riding the wave of their 2023 debut LP, The Charities are fresh off new singles and piecing together their first full-length album, set to drop in early 2026.
In talking with both bands, one shared sentiment stood out: the value of having a producer in the room. "Having an outside voice to make small notes or push you in new directions—beyond just the rush of recording in a place like Penrose—you learn so much," Angie said of recording "You’ll Be Fine / Break My Heart" with producer Anthony Masino. Brock from The Charities echoed that sentiment. Produced by Masino and co-written with Brock Van Pelt, "Fatal Attraction" / "It's Not Our Time" was recorded at Penrose Recorders in Riverside. "Sometimes you walk in with a complete picture, but that outside perspective adds a third dimension that helps you hear the work with new ears."
Sage (The Charities) and Cole (The McCharmlys) both spoke about unlearning rigid ideas of how songs "should" be structured. "I think I’ve spent the last few years letting go of the idea that songs have to be built a certain way," Cole told me. "They become what they will, and you kind of know when they’re ready." Sage added, "Songs just come together in their own way. Brock brings in an idea, and we all add pieces of ourselves."
There’s a lot of joy flowing through both bands. I’d been trying to catch The McCharmlys live for a while. I became a fan in 2024 when I stumbled across their cover of "Tú Serás Mi Baby" and was immediately hooked. They’ve since shared stages with The Animals, Trish Toledo, The Delta Bombers, and Los Yesterdays—clearly finding their own rhythm. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this spunky Santa Ana band as they continue carving out their lane through a reimagined lens of rockabilly and soul.
The Charities are: Alex Kersenboom, Joe Lopilato, Derek Doszkocs, Brock Van Pelt, Matt Robinson, and Hunter Pipp.
The McCharmlys are:
Angie Monroy – Lead vocals & rhythm guitar
Eddie Gutierrez – 12 string guitar & Lead Guitar
Yari Bolaños – Bass
Cole Maxwell – Drums
For tour dates, merch, and more, check out The McCharmlys' official website or Bandcamp page. The McCharmlys’ appear courtesy of NuTone Records. The Charities courtesy of Colemine Records.
