Marisa, Thanasi, Kaleen and Bear!!! A quartet from Philly-Penny, active for almost 5 years, have released two LP’s and a single so far. It is punk! Blended with alternative grungy tunes and their youth’s raging blood! You won’t find a song longer than 3 minutes, got it?! Have a beer, tune in their latest ‘Romantic’ LP, pump up the god damn volume and enjoy our interview with them, cheers!
Hello Mannequin Pussy, you are a new band from US, involved in alternative/punk, and recently there is much buzz around your name. Give us the band’s profile please…
Mannequin Pussy is Marisa Dabice (guitar/vocals), Thanasi Paul (guitar), Kaleen Reading (drums), and Bear Regisford (bass). Thanasi and I have been making music together for almost 5 years but seriously started doing so about two years ago when we started writing this record. Kaleen joined the band about 2 years ago and Bear a year ago. There is a really strong dynamic between the 4 of us, it’s challenging at times, of course, but we all are equally committed to making music together. We’re all very lucky to have found each other.
You have recently released ‘Romantic’ LP, what has the feedback been so far?
It’s been really exciting! It seems like a lot of people are connecting the record – this past tour was the best that we’ve ever been on. And we have a lot of to be excited about coming up this year – we just hope that more people will listen to the record and enjoy it.
‘Romantic’ is full of passion on a wild sound, same as the previous ‘Gypsy Pervert’. Where is all that “soul” emerging from?
Life experiences, personal relationships, some that break apart and some that get stronger in time. General anguish and concern over our current American political systems. There’s an emotional price you pay for paying attention to the world outside your own head and I’m frequently feeling overwhelmed by everything.
…and what is ‘The Le Sigh’? Meaning that is only 36 seconds, I thought it was a “joke” but it is music that could easily evolve into a “normal” saying so song…
‘The Le Sigh’ is an American music blog that highlights female-identified artists and they have done a few compilations featuring these artists. For their first compilation we wrote a theme song for them. That’s all it is, it’s not a “joke” it’s just a song we wrote for them.
Tell us about your lyrics, what is really inspiring you in writing as such?
I write from deep within my head. I’m extremely analytical of the way I respond to experiences since in the past I have not always been very graceful about the way I went through life. As I’ve gotten older the intense embarrassment of my mistakes have caused me, have led me to become a more thoughtful, aware person. I’m very critical of myself and admittedly of others so I have no dearth of experiences or critiques to pull from when writing lyrics. ‘Romantic’ is an intensely personal record that centers heavily on the stages of grief and how it feels to go through them when you find yourself in the grieving process.
…and music? Which musings’ universe are you coming from?
Thanasi and I almost always start first with the music, with either him or myself bringing forward the main riff and idea for the structure of a new song. We spend a lot of time getting the “vibe” right before I go in and finalize melody and lyrics. Our general method has always been heavy, fast, over in less than two minute songs but going forward I see that changing. I’d like to challenge myself to start constructing longer, more ambitious music.
What are you planning in the future?…live performances, a new release?
We are doing a 2 week tour in February supporting Joyce Manor and AJJ. After that we’ll be playing local benefit shows in Philadelphia for different organizations, playing the Pissed Jeans record release show in March, and generally laying low with shows trying mostly to work on new music and making music videos until May when we leave for a month long European tour. After that, who knows.
Punk rock artists are always involved in politics, as individuals and also as an artistic movement, so we’d like, if you want, some thoughts on the recent elections in USA, regarding that there’s a global turning back to conservative and narrow minded politics…
I wouldn’t say punk rock artists are always involved in politics – I know way too many nihilistic, narcissistic, and apathetic artists. It’s disappointing to see young people so disinterested in the world around them when there is so much to care about. I realize that it’s daunting to care but it’s our responsibility to pay attention. We’re entering a very specific time in American politics: this complete corporate takeover of our society and it should scare everyone into reconsidering the way they live their lives. How do you fight against an oppressive capitalist system if not by first understanding the way you engage with it? As Americans, we vote with our money and the way we spend our money is in need of serious review. Supporting more organizations, individuals, and artists who have a commitment to social change should be a responsibility of every person going forward into this new administration.
Thank you very much for the interview, you can close it as you wish!
Thank you for talking to us, Mike. We’re really humbled that so many people have taken an interest in our music and our politics and we promise to fight for you if you will fight for us in return.
Photo credits: Scott Troyan
Mike Dimitriou