Looking Through the Medicine Cabinet: OC’s Rising Music Promoter

Brian Resendiz

There is no shortage of concerts in Orange County. Not only are there popular, talented artists who choose to tour in OC venues, but there are just as many indie bands who play constantly in local punk scenes (several of whom originated from our own Popular Music conservatory). There is, however, an organization that enjoys taking an alternative spin on the traditional indie concert. 

Introducing The Medicine Cabinet, a booking label co-founded by Hudson Garcia (DM ‘24) and his cousin, Collin O’Connor. These musicians are more widely recognized for founding the experimental duo, The Pain, Killers, (pronounced the-pain-comma-killers). Although they began with the intentions of only serving their own music, Medicine Cabinet Media has branched out to serve other bands by hosting independent concerts. Such shows typically take place in unconventional locations and display the nuance of an alternative sense of humor. 

One of their latest concerts was advertised under the name, “The Kingdom 2,” which took place on the balcony of a Newport Beach condo that overlooked the ocean. The show held luxuries such as a “potion bar,” a television that played episodes of the South-Korean animated show “Larva,” and live music from bands such as The Hemogoblins, Casset Juno and O’Connors other band, Antibiotics. Intermissions consisted of a narrative stage play in spirit of the kingdom aesthetic and an after-party featuring The Pain, Killers.

“The Kingdom 2” is just one of many shows of the same nature. A Pain, Killers concert featuring Bubble Buddies was held back in January and took place in what a flier claimed was “the spooky forest.” The concert was in fact held in the middle of the woods of Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, back before The Medicine Cabinet was booking shows for other bands. Another show, titled “Mulch and Mole Madness,” was held in Mission Viejo. The show took stage on top of a mulch pile  and consisted of improvised humor in replacing one of the band members with a double when the original couldn’t make it.  Another The Medicine Cabinet show was planned for April 13th in Downtown Los Angeles, during OCSA’s Prom Night. Although the venue ultimately canceled, it was perhaps a deliberate brilliant move from the Medicine Cabinet, placing many OCSA fans in a dilemma to either attend the most anticipated night of their high school careers, or… well Prom. 

The Medicine Cabinet has been responsible for holding a plethora of concerts of this  nature, and it seems like they will not be slowing down any time soon.When asked about being interviewed, one of the members of The Medicine Cabinet anonymously stated, “We only conduct BUSINESS in person.” No personal insight was given from The Medicine Cabinet, although OCSA student Alex Wolff (FTV ‘24) has plenty to understand, as he produces an independent documentary surrounding The Medicine Cabinet. While it may be a conundrum for many to accept the unique vision,holding a name such as The Medicine Cabinet undoubtedly requires immense effort and planning and it would be no surprise if it is simply the beginning of a new movement for musical events.