Strangeways.

Strange Ways.

Esmeralda, 16, and Nora, 17, are the girls behind the production team Strange Ways. Based in California’s Inland Empire, they have been throwing shows together for over a year, and have been working hard to put together their first festival, Way Strange, featuring some of their favorite bands and artists. It is set to happen August 29 in Upland, California.

What made you want to start throwing shows in the Inland Empire?

ESMERALDA: I’ve always loved live music. I just love the excitement. I think it’s necessary and great to bring the local scene together and get our noise out there.

What has it been like putting together such a big festival? I assume it takes a lot of effort.

ESMERALDA: Let’s just say it gave me a headache, but the pain’s worth it. [Laughs] To be honest, I can’t believe we’ve put this together. These are all of my current favorite bands. I didn’t know we were capable of this. It’s a beautiful disaster—it still feels like we’re setting up the lineup.

Everyone’s always surprised that we set this up at such a young age. We just wanted to bring the music that we love to our home. I’m so excited for the festival, it’s in my everyday thoughts. I can’t believe we did this.

NORA: I give a lot of props to Esme. When I took a break a while ago, she was still planning Way Strange, so, honestly, I haven’t felt anything extremely stressful, but she definitely has.

What does growing up as a part of this generation mean to you?

ESMERALDA: There’s a lot of hopelessness and disillusionment as to what we’re all going to do with the future. At 16, no one feels like we’re going to be able to get out of the [Inland Empire], so we might as well find ways to enjoy it.

NORA: This generation is really hard to grasp, especially the area I live in. I honestly see it as the end, with all of the things that are going on.

What occupies your time/what are your talents?

ESMERALDA: All I do is nothing…sometimes. Keyboards, chill.

NORA: This is always a great question to answer, because it makes me realize I don’t do much other than throw shows with my best friend, hang out with my family and boyfriend, and go to school. My only “talent” is throwing cool shows. I also play a tiny bit of keyboard. Barely.

Does any of this interfere with your daily life?

ESMERALDA: I don’t know I’m even doing stuff. Sometimes I completely forget I’m running a production team and hosting a festival. It’s weird.

NORA: It does interfere with my daily life; we’re usually always busy. I handle things one by one. I do get overwhelmed sometimes, but I like being busy.

Do you feel people take what you do seriously?

ESMERALDA: People are generally in disbelief that somehow two young girls managed to put this all together. People underestimate what teens can do. The way I present myself proves to them I am worthy of being taken seriously after any original doubts they have.

NORA: People don’t take Esmeralda and me very seriously until they get to know what we have to offer and actually work with us. I think the kids in the I.E. just look at us as two girls who throw “big shows”—they don’t look beyond that, other than close friends who do see inside/out.

Is there an advantage to growing up in this generation?

ESMERALDA: Older generations cast a lot of doubt on us, but we are a very bright generation. This generation is bringing light to issues that have been previously ignored while still enjoying our youth. I have a lot of optimism. I believe we have potential to revitalize movements and further equality because we pay attention to what is happening around us.

Are there any downsides?

ESMERALDA: It’s harder to believe in ourselves because the state of the economy, and how hard it is to get jobs/how expensive college is, makes people think they will work extremely hard to achieve their dreams and see no results.

Are there other young people that you look up to? Are you influenced by your peers?

ESMERALDA: I look up to so many of my friends, especially Jheyda, because she’s such an amazing photographer. So many of us are out here chasing our dreams and sacrificing time we could use to hang out to do something that will bring us closer to our goals. I like to surround myself with people who are positive so we can encourage one another.

NORA: Esmeralda influences me a lot, of course—we do this together and I love having someone by my side with the same goal. Keeps me going. A lot of people in local bands influence me, like Joseph from Foliage.