Check Yo Ponytail Is Back for Round Two
Check Yo Ponytail 2 (CYP2) is the latest incarnation of Franki Chan's weekly party series, Check Yo Ponytail. It's the monthly event with a reputation for booking of-the-moment, breakthrough artists and delivering epic parties in the process. Chan, founder of IHEARTCOMIX, and Danny United, of Media Contender, are the guys behind the revival, and they're bringing with them a brand new vision of nationwide exposure and legendary events.
CYP2 is gearing up for its first tour outside of L.A., officially bring the complete Check Yo experience to cities around the country. We were able to catch up with Chan and United last week to discuss the past, present, and future of the Check Yo Ponytail party series.
Tell me the background of Check Yo Ponytail. How did it start?
Franki Chan: Check Yo Ponytail began in 2006 as a series of events by IHEARTCOMIX. It was a weekly party with a mission to merge dance music with live shows. The original CYP lasted for two years and brought aritsts like Justice Boys, Noize, Matt & Kim, Spank Rock, and The Horrors to L.A. for the first time. Then, in 2010 after IHC and Media Contender had collaborated on a few events, Danny [United] suggested that we bring Check Yo Ponytail back. I was a bit hesitant at first, but with some prodding and much discussion, we decided to do it...but as a partnership!
How does the revival differ from the original series? What components of the original do you try to maintain?
Danny United: The new Check Yo is an evolved version of the original...I guess you might say it's a more refined approach. Our goal was to recreate the raw energy from the original run of shows and simply try to enhance that experience.
Franki Chan: The key elements we kept were a diverse mix of music, a focus on new acts, live visuals with the same artist, Demonbabies, and strong branding for CYP. Beyond that, everything else is new. We really put a lot of attention to building our CYP world outside of the shows now and on a national scale, whereas the original was just trying to be a cool party in L.A.
What can a first-timer expect from one of the shows?
Franki Chan: High energy and a lot of fun. Spectacular performances and mind-bending visuals. A positive atmosphere and new friends. We do our best to make it a welcome and exciting place to be at. We always have a lot of surprises, crazy guests and unexpected happenings. We want it to feel like a legend.
Danny United: We want people to let go and have fun. I sometimes think of it as a professional approach to throwing a party in your backyard with all your friends. You never know who will show up as a surprise, secret guest, so it keeps this air of history in the making.
What is one thing you want Société Perrier readers to know about Check Yo Ponytail?
Danny United: Just know that whatever music you identify with or relate to, we guarantee that you will find something new you will love at Check Yo.
Franki Chan: All that's come before is just the first chapter in a much larger story. CYP2 is just getting started and there's a lot more to come. 2012 will be pretty exciting!
Images by Caesar Sebastian
