Bernadette Grace Albano and Rosie Mendoza discuss their band’s history and inspiration
By LAILA AZHAR — features@theaggie.org
The musical duo Nineteenth Operator is the type of partnership that seems like it was meant to be.
Bernadette Albano, a fourth-year biological sciences major, and Rosie Mendoza, a fourth-year English and American studies double major, crossed paths early on in college. They lived in the same dorm building as first-year students, although they didn’t speak to each other much.
It wasn’t until they both found themselves in Cowboys After Dark — a well-known, local band in the Davis community — that they truly began to interact. Initially, however, the duo wasn’t exactly harmonious.
“She didn’t really like me much at first,” Albano said.
It didn’t take long for the two to put any initial friction behind them. They had been talking about forming a band for quite some time before Nineteenth Operator came to life.
“We’ve been talking about doing this for about a year and a half, I’d say,” Mendoza said.
Going from being a part of Cowboys After Dark, a cover band, to writing their own music has been a change for them. However, they are enjoying the process of creating their own songs.
The two come from different musical backgrounds. Albano’s roots lie in theater, where she discovered her love for performing and singing, while Mendoza’s journey started with learning to play the trumpet, inspired by her older sister. She eventually learned other instruments such as the ukulele and guitar, and began writing songs in her spare time.
Nineteenth Operator draws from a variety of different musical artists, such as 1990s dream pop artists The Sundays, Mazzy Star and The Cranberries. They additionally cite the narrative structures of Remi Wolf’s songs and Chappell Roan’s anthemic choruses as inspiration.
Albano and Mendoza have very distinct personalities, but they each show a deep appreciation for what the other brings to the table.
“I don’t think we have anything in common,” Mendoza said. “But I think that might be why we work well together. Because we’re so different.”
Albano pointed out Mendoza’s creative spirit.
“Rosie’s one of the most creative people I know,” Albano said. “She learned how to crochet in like a week and started wearing these clothes she crocheted just because she could. It’s incredible.”
Mendoza, on the other hand, noted Albano’s management skills.
“Bernie can bring to life any vision I have,” Mendoza said. “It’s amazing how she can grow the seed of whatever I plant.”
On Feb. 15, Nineteenth Operator performed at Secret Spot, an art and music lounge in Davis. Audience members were able to don the band’s “Girl of the Year” sashes.
The next night, they delivered a stripped-down, acoustic set at Downtown Davis’ Armadillo Music, complete with an impromptu cover of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why.”
Layla Abedini, a second-year biological sciences major, attended the show and expressed her excitement about what Nineteenth Operator has in store.
“They both have really good stage presence and beautiful voices,” Abedini said. “They sound great together. I’d definitely want to see them perform again.”
Their first single, “Crazy Ex Girlfriend,” will be released on Feb. 28. To stay up to date with Nineteenth Operator’s shows and song releases, fans can follow them on Instagram, @nineteenthoperator.
Written by: Laila Azhar — features@theaggie.org
