On The Road with Pussy Velour and The Love Darts

By Mia Thomas

Photography by Ellyn Pillers, Kathryn Bowman, and Kayla Duane.

Pictured above is Pussy Velour's lead vocalist, Wolfgang Hendrix, performing at Midnight Coffee Roasting. Captured by Ellyn Pillers.

There’s something about Reno bands hitting the road that feel like your best friends are leaving town for a bit. Every time a local band packs up their van and heads out, it feels like the city holds its breath for a moment. Proud and excited, waiting for the stories they’ll bring home.

For Reno’s own Pussy Velour, Sept. 21, 2025 was their last hometown show before taking their sound on tour. Known for being energetic and entertaining, the send-off took place at The Holland Project.

Mia Thomas interviewing touring Montana band The Love Darts at The Holland Project. Captured by Kayla Duane.

For Montana’s The Love Darts, it was another stop on a run that’s teaching them what it really means to live inside the music. 

“Finding places to play and figuring out how to get people to come see it, that’s the hardest part,” admits Jimi Kehoe of The Love Darts. “It’s not a problem in Reno, but it is in other towns.” Having venues like The Holland Project, Lo-Bar Social and Midnight Coffee Roasting are essential to a thriving underground music scene. 

When asked what they hope fans take away after a show, “I hope their ears are still ringing so they’re not lonely till we come back,” says Kehoe. There’s warmth in the joke, but truth behind it. The quiet hope that the vibrations they leave behind will linger, even when the lights fade.

The Love Darts recently finished recording a new album at District Recording Studio in San Jose. All tape, no digital, tracked entirely live. 

It’s set to release late this winter, and features a song titled “Reno”. A city where the band has found community and connection that values authentic, loud emotion over polished sound.

Montana band The Love Darts. Captured by Kayla Duane.

For Pussy Velour, the energy surrounding the tour feels different. Equal parts excitement and hunger, with a touch of tenderness. They’re stepping out of their comfort zone, but doing it together. 

“It’s gonna be fun to be on the road with my three best friends,” Wolfgang Hendrix says beaming. 

Pictured above, Pussy Velour's lead vocalist Wolfgang Hendrix. Captured by Ellyn Pillers.

There’s no mistaking the warmth in their voice. 

“Hopefully this tour leads to more shows, more tours. That’s the goal, anyway.”

Wolfgang Hendrix’s passion emanates when you’re watching him live or when you’re in conversation. 

Pussy Velour's infamous stage presence comes from spitting on people at shows to climbing through rafters; you’re always on the edge of your toes waiting for what’s about to come next. 

Wolfgang Hendrix crowd surfing at Midnight Coffee Roasting. Captured by Ellyn Pillers.

Pussy Velour has built an explosive dynamic based on their deep connection that seeps into their performance; this only makes them more magnetizing and their chemistry undeniable. 

Clair Monteith sees the tour as something bigger than a lineup of cities and venues; it's a time for reflection, growth and vulnerability. 

“It’s both personal and musical evolution,” they say. “It’ll be nice to get constructive criticism, positive or negative. It all makes us better.” 

Ready to absorb every piece of feedback, every new crowd and every lesson only the road can teach.

Millicent Hendrix looks at it as an opportunity to sharpen what’s already there. 

“I’m really excited to get a lot tighter as a band,” she says, a sentiment echoed by the band. 

Pictured above: Millicent Hendrix performing at Midnight Coffee Roasting. Captured by Ellyn Pillers.

Pictured above: Claire Monteith performing at For The Love of Reno event at Club Underground. Captured by Kathryn Bowman.

The desire to build something everlasting keeps them motivated through the long drives, and endless nights. 

When asked about what scares or excites them about leaving Reno, Monteith pauses, “America’s not the greatest country,” they admit, “but it’s gorgeous.” 

Touring feels like both a test and a gift, and for Monteith, it’s about seeing beauty in imperfection. 

For Zaine Lee Jackson, the message is simple. “Get after it,” he says, hoping their shows inspire people in every city to do the same: follow your dreams and take risks, to make art even when it’s messy or uncertain. 

Pictured above: Zaine Lee Jackson performing at For The Love of Reno event at Club Underground. Captured by Kathryn Bowman.

Reno’s scene has always been a web of support and creative chaos with artists uplifting other artists. It’s something Pussy Velour doesn’t take lightly. 

“When I don’t play shows, I’m like, what am I doing with my life?” Wolfgang Hendrix says. 

The statement hangs heavy. For them playing isn’t about chasing success; but staying alive in the way only music allows.

For both bands, taking to the road isn’t just about new cities but also finding out what still connects people to music in a world that seems to always be moving too fast. 

Pussy Velour performing at For The Love of Reno event at Club Underground. Captured by Kathryn Bowman.

Edited by Malory Shaw

You can listen to Pussy Velour and The Love Darts music on Spotify and Apple Music.