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Fresh off a viral library gig, the Linda Lindas get a record deal

The Linda Lindas' "Racist, Sexist Boy" went viral last week. The band got a record deal within days from Epitaph Records.
The Linda Lindas' "Racist, Sexist Boy" went viral last week. The band got a record deal within days from Epitaph Records.L.A. Public Library/YouTube

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

May 24, 2021

Just last week, the internet thrilled to The Linda Lindas, screaming and crunching power chords in the middle of the stacks of the Los Angeles Public Library. "Racist, Sexist Boy" — written and performed by four tween and teen punks calling out anti-Asian American bias and misogyny — immediately became something of a 2021 anthem. ("Poser! Blockhead! Riffraff! Jerk face!")

Now, in what has become a very familiar cycle to music-industry watchers, the band landed a record deal almost as soon as its video went viral. Its signing to the longstanding Los Angeles punk label Epitaph Records was confirmed by Variety. By Friday, the band's performance of "Racist, Sexist Boy" had been posted to Epitaph's YouTube channel.

The quartet, whose members (Bela, Eloise, Lucia and Mila) range in age from 10 to 16, got their start in 2018 at Girlschool L.A. Member station KQED says the band has been mentored by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The Linda Lindas' current Bandcamp bio describes the group as "Half Asian / half Latinx. Two sisters, a cousin, and their close friend. The Linda Lindas channel the spirit of original punk, power pop, and new wave through today's ears, eyes and minds."

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit www.npr.org.

The Linda Lindas - official site

The Linda Lindas - Bandcamp

The Linda Lindas
The Linda Lindas
courtesy the artists