As another season of The Zone @ 91-3’s Band of the Month winds to a close, we can’t help but reflect on the what an amazing year it has been . . . but it’s not over yet. Victoria-based Pony Gold rounds out 2023’s Band of the Month.
West Coast Americana band Pony Gold deliver timeless and refreshing songs about escapism, purpose, love, and loss. The duo is made up of singer-songwriter Theresa Bromley and guitarist Matt Bromley.
After a sun-kissed photo session in the wild tall grasses of the Saanich Peninsula, Tyson Elder chatted with Theresa about her songwriting process, Rocktographers Sessions, and the band’s dog, Kali.
Tyson Elder Well, I have to say it feels great to say this to you, Pony Gold: congratulations on being the final Zone Band of the Month for 2023. I personally can’t think of a better way to end this stellar year of local music.
TE: The Zone @ 91-3 is going to be featuring your single, Love You Anyway, this month. It’s west coast Americana vibes are going to be the perfect match for those warm August days. Can you tell me about the song and how it came about?
Theresa Bromley: Love You Anyway is a love song about acceptance and perseverance in challenging times. It’s about loving unconditionally no matter what happens in life. I wrote this song during a time where I was struggling with self-identity and lack of direction in life, but I realized I needed to learn how to love myself unconditionally. One day the hook just popped into my head and over a few days I wrote the verses. That’s usually how songwriting happens for me.
TE: Let’s talk about your songwriting. One of the biggest takeaways from listening to your music — both the recorded versions and what I’ve seen live — is the lyricism. It’s admirable how powerful and emotionally grounded your songs can be. I’m curious to hear how you got into songwriting.
Theresa: Wow, thank you for saying that! I wrote my first song when I was around 15 or so. I lived way out in the country when I was growing up, and one day my parents grounded me. I was always getting into trouble — still am — I was bored and taught myself how to play some chords and a Beatles song on my mom’s old guitar and soon after that is when I started writing some lyrics. For me, childhood was pretty tough, so music and songwriting were my escape. I wrote my first song when my dad went to jail. Around the same time I had gotten heavily hooked on Martha Wainwright’s record “Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole” and it made me realize I could use songwriting to say how I really felt. Songwriting has been very cathartic for me my whole life, and I’m really grateful to be able to share my songs with folks and connect on that deeper level that is music.
TE: At the beginning of the year, Rocktographers had the privilege of collaborating with Pony Gold on a pair of Rocktographers Session videos. I think we can all look back on that day fondly, especially when remembering that industrial bag of candy Theresa brought. Honestly, I think it’s some of our best work to date.
Theresa: Candy is a must for all sessions! We had a great time making that video and are thrilled with how it turned out. Love working with you guys!
TE: Recently, you released your debut single, Paradise, along with the Rocktographers Session video for the song (Watch it here!). It’s hard to believe that it’s the band’s debut single, as you’re longtime veterans of the local music scene. How does it feel to finally have your music out in the world? How have the reactions been?
Theresa: It feels great to finally have some tunes out! We’ve both been playing for quite a while in various other projects but decided to really focus on Pony Gold and make music we felt reflected us personally and artistically. It seems like people are connecting with the music and that just means so much to us.
TE: It seems like Pony Gold is gearing up for some big things this fall. Can we expect more music or even an album?
Theresa: Yes! Our debut EP, Take Me Somewhere, comes out on September 22. Shortly after, in October, we’ve got an EP release show in Victoria (TBA) and have an Eastern Canada tour along with some other exciting things coming up! We’re really looking forward to getting out east, especially to Toronto and experience the music scene out there.
TE: There are many configurations of Pony Gold’s live band. Sometimes it is an intimate two-piece featuring just you and Matt, or the full strength band we’ve seen at the likes of Sunfest. How did the pieces fit together to form your live band?
Theresa: It really depends on the size of the venue and what the vibe is. We love to play as a duo and perform in more intimate settings and showcase the songs a bit more acoustically that way. We also are so stoked when we get to perform on a big stage and rock out with our band.
TE: You recently got back from a whirlwind west coast tour and have more shows in the works including at the island’s biggest country festival, Sunfest. What can people expect from a Pony Gold performance?
Theresa: You can expect our songs to tell stories. Lots of improvisation and dynamics. And some terrible jokes.
TE: Before we wrap up the interview, I’d regret not asking how Kali is doing? It’s what the people want to know.
Theresa: Kali is living her best life every day: having a nap, going for a walk, getting a treat, and always showing her sit pretty trick. She’s the best little dog buddy and we love how much people know and are fond of her from our social media!
TE: After Band of the Month, what’s next for Pony Gold?
Theresa: We’ve got such a busy and exciting fall and winter planned. Hoping everyone follows along!
TE: It’s always a pleasure catching up with you and I wanted to sincerely congratulate you on being August 2023’s Zone Band of the Month
Theresa: Thank you all so much for the support. We really appreciate all that you do to contribute to our local music scene.
Pony Gold, the final Band of the Month of 2023 will be warming the airwaves on The Zone @ 91-3 with their single, Love You Anyway. The song is available for download (along with their single Paradise) on their Band of the Month microsite. There you can also find out more about the band and see more photos from their Rocktographers photo session.
Rocktographers is a proud supporting sponsor of The Zone’s Band of the Month program.