By Noe Gutierrez
Arthur Seay and Jetta King are synonymous with world-class music and high-octane live performances. With Jetta’s searing vocals and Arthur’s mind-blowing axe work, isn’t it fitting that they would meet and fall in love in the name of Rock and Roll?
We know Arthur as a “trailblazer” with almost 35 years of experience in the music business. From the ground up, Arthur has built a reputation in the music world with a work ethic like no other. His reliable musical instinct has sculpted all his bands. As founder, songwriter and guitarist for Unida, House of Broken Promises, Death In Pretty Wrapping and APESHIT, Arthur has built a legacy with true grit and sheer determination.
Jetta has become a powerhouse vocalist and can be found singing worship music at church, belting out the National Anthem at the Acrisure Arena for our mighty CV Firebirds and dominates every other stage in the Coachella Valley.
Arthur’s band Unida, High Desert Queen Jesika von Rabbit and Jetta King’s band will be assembling at Little Street Music Hall in Indio on September 13, 2024 to collectively liquify ears and melt faces.
CV Weekly caught up with Arthur and Jetta, the desert’s formidable mighty music couple.
ARTHUR SEAY
CVW: Indio has been your home for quite a while now. How are you and Unida feeling about performing at Little Street Music Hall?
SEAY: Indio is coming up fast! And as you know, I’m always down to help and support anyone trying to better the music and art scene locally. Indio is stepping up their game with the addition of the new Center Stage amphitheater downtown, Little Bar owner Skip Paige opening up Indio Taphouse, there’s a rad record store called Rocks & Records also and he has a great selection. Gabino’s C, the vintage shop, Food T Fridays and Club 5 Bar all within walking distance.
As a music and arts scene, we have to support these places like Little Street Music Hall so we can actually have a viable, good sounding and lighting venue which the low desert sadly doesn’t have.
We are very excited about this concert with Jesika Von Rabbit and the Jetta King Band who both are such badasses! It’ll be an eclectic night and, of course, I always bring more production to really blow it up!”
CVW: It’s well-documented Unida are working on new material. What update can you provide?
SEAY: “It’s a whole new record we’re finishing up with new vocalist Mark Sunshine. It has everything from the long-epic-journey tracks Unida is known for to the hard rockers and then some. It’s very musical and melodic.
Unida is reissuing our first record, The Best of Wayne Gro, including 4 new tracks with John Garcia that we recorded way back in 1997. It’s actually 4 songs no one has ever heard. They are some of the very first songs we ever wrote together.”
CVW: This show is the send-off for your European tour. What are you looking forward to this time taking Unida overseas once again?
SEAY: “Actually my plan wasn’t to tour Europe this year and just everyone come to my studio for 3 weeks and just write and jam and record like the old school days. But we received some great offers from a couple of festivals supporting Monster Magnet whom I love! So, we couldn’t turn it down. We love Europe and I thank the positive energy in the universe that we can go there and melt faces!”
JETTA KING
CVW: You’re known to perform as a solo artist, in a trio and full band. What do you have lined up for this special show?
KING: “This will be my first show playing as a full band in a few years and with our newest members. The band includes; Bri Cherry on violin, Chaz Marriott on electric guitar, Tony Lopez on drums and Kurt Schawacker on bass. We are excited to debut the new band. I have been writing new songs and recording while piecing this newest version of the band together.”
CVW: What can you share about your new music?
KING: “We recently spent a few days at Arthur’s Bitter Sands tracking the new songs. We’re excited to get those done when he gets back from tour. It sounds so bad-ass! The drums sound HUGE! I have one song currently released on all platforms that we recorded with the old members, it’s called ‘Too Loud’. Please go listen and save it to your playlist.”
CVW: What does it mean to you now to be a part of the fabric of the desert music community?
KING: “I am absolutely ecstatic to be surrounded by music and musicians! It’s all I ever wanted as a kid. I’m literally living my dream. And it just keeps getting better!”
ARTHUR AND JETTA
CVW: Your relationship is no secret, what can you say about what drew you to Jetta?
SEAY: “The funny story is, we have a mutual friend who was on a ‘setting up people streak’ and one day while I’m walking my little dog Pork Chop, I get a message if I’d like her to set me up. I’m like, ‘Sure go ahead’”
She sends me a pic of Jetta, and I’m like, ‘lmao, She hates me, lol’.
Our friend said Jetta said the same thing, lol, so I sent Jetta a message saying, ‘Hey, I don’t hate you, just so you know’. Then I told Jetta I was recording my solo record and if she would sing a track on it, because I definitely was a fan of her singing. Phenomenal is how I describe her singing to people. So, we met to discuss it at my secret spot in Palm Springs that shall remain a secret, and we had a great conversation about music. In no way was I wanting to date or enter a relationship. I really just wanted her to sing a track. We texted awhile and one day I’m like, ‘Hey, when you singing karaoke again?’
We hung out and laughed, had a drink, she sang, she touched my leg a couple times and I was like, ‘oh shit!’ Next thing you know, it’s Friday night date and jacuzzi nights.
It was crazy because at the time I was taking care of my mom full-time; prepping every meal, changing her diapers etc. and during that her house caught on fire and I was dealing with all of that, which was brutal, but happy to do it and really had a whole new relationship with my mom and hearing family stories I’ve never heard; my dad’s crazy cop stories, the Spanish side of my family, etc, Jetta was there for me in all of that and that was something special because that was a tough time indeed.”
CVW: In navigating a romantic relationship as musicians/creatives, what are some things you feel work for both of you in maintaining a healthy relationship?
SEAY: “We’re both absolutely bat-shit crazy, but it works, I’m spontaneous, she’s a planner. Any relationship takes work and you have to put in the time, and we both do. We have come a long way in all aspects for both of us.
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not the easiest to deal with sometimes, ask my drummer Mike Cancino, I’m extremely passionate, because I care, I care a lot about music, art and I want to help spread knowledge because I’ve been through it and paid attention and learned a lot and just want to help. People don’t want unsolicited advice most of the time, which is sad and dumb because that’s how you can learn, especially in this music business we have to navigate. It’s a business created by guys in suits and ties, not musicians.
Wayback when, everything was created to fuck over the artist. Sometimes people don’t understand that but I’m proud of myself. I’ve come a long way with Jetta’s help.”
CVW: Have you contemplated making music together? What’s the status on Unida and HOBP?
SEAY: “We’re in the process of writing and recording songs. We’re getting everything lined up. I’ve been recording her band and getting all her music so she can get that out. Unida has a new record, which is what I’m focused on first, then House of Broken Promises has a whole new record done ready to rock!
Timing it all is difficult as we are both busy with life. Jetta has her fascial stretch therapy business, I tech/stage manage for Reggae/Rock band Slightly Stoopid, the European tour with Unida and working at McCallum Theater when I’m home, so time is a hot commodity. It will all get done and blow people’s minds! I’m very excited and proud of everything Unida/HOBP has coming up and the same for Jetta’, it’s sounding soooo good!
We’re even working on music for animals. We’ve already recorded our morning doggie poop song called, Wake Up!”
