Dream Nails

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Dream Nails
Dream Nails performing at The Garage, London, May 2017
Dream Nails performing at The Garage, London, May 2017
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresPunk, riot grrrl, queercore
LabelsAlcopop! Records
Krod Records
Everything Sucks Records
MembersAnya Pearson
Lucy Katz
Mimi Jasson
Past membersIshmael Kirby
Janey Starling
Judith Dawson
Emmett Roberts
Katherine Christie Evans

Dream Nails is an English DIY punk/riot grrrl[1] band from London founded in 2015. The group identify themselves as “punk witches” and are known for their riotous live shows that mix storming punk guitar with sweet three-part harmonies.[2][3]

Biography[edit]

Dream Nails was founded in London in August 2015 by Janey Starling, singer, and Anya Pearson, guitarist. The two friends met through their involvement with feminist activism[4] and brought fellow activist Emmett Roberts on board to play bass and Judith Dawson on drums.[5] In early 2016, Lucy Katz replaced Judith on drums. Within one year of performing together they were invited to perform at Glastonbury's Sisterhood stage – the first women-only venue at the festival.[6]

In 2017, Katherine Christie Evans briefly replaced Roberts on bass and backing vocals,[7] replaced in turn by Mimi Jasson.[8]

On 30 April 2021, co-founder and frontwoman Janey Starling announced her departure from the band.[9]

Dream Nails identify themselves as punk witches and their genre as "witch punk". They claim to write "hexes, not songs"[10] and are best known for their "hex on misogynist politicians" Deep Heat.[11] The group's first single was released with a video premiered on Nylon,[12] in time for the 2016 election of the United States of American's president, Donald Trump.

Their first EP, DIY was released in April 2016 with a handmade zine and enjoyed immediate attention from Dazed and Confused.[10] After embarking on short tours in Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria, Dream Nails were invited to be the main support for American band Cherry Glazerr on their European tour in spring 2017.[13] A second EP Dare to Care followed in 2017.[14] A live album Take Up Space - a recording of an acoustic performance at Housmans Bookshop - was released in early 2019.[15]

The band promote a DIY ethic, with handmade pedalboards, cut and paste zines and the self-made video for their song "DIY" composed of self-submitted mobile phone videos from fans edited together by vocalist Janey.[16]

In August 2020 the band released their self-titled first album on Alcopop! Records.[17][18]

In February 2024, after finishing a tour as a three-piece, the band announced Ishmael Kirby had left the group. Kirby then posted their own statement a few days later explaining their reasons for leaving.[19][20]

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

  • DIY EP, CD/DL, Self release (2016)
  • Dare to Care EP, CD/DL, Krod Records (2017)

Albums[edit]

Live albums[edit]

  • Take Up Space, DL (2019)

Compilation appearances[edit]

  • Loud Women: Volume One, CD, 2017
  • Femrock Mixtape, 2017
  • Girls go BOOM Mixtape #1, 2017

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Anger & Joy - Riot Grrrl Punk band DREAM NAILS discuss feminism & women in punk". Idioteq.com. 7 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Dream Nails will f*** you up!". The F-Word. 29 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Ones To Watch: Dream Nails". Gigslutz. 15 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Anger & Joy – Riot Grrrl Punk Band Dream Nails Discuss Feminism & Women In Punk". Idioteq. 7 November 2016.
  5. ^ "New Artist of the Day: Dream Nails". Louder Than War. 26 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Glastonbury's Newest Music Venue Is the Girls-Only Club You've Been Waiting for". Vice. 30 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Dream Nails: punk femminista da Londra, con unghie impeccabili". Soft Revolution Zine (in Italian). 17 May 2016.
  8. ^ "10 Question Interview: Dream Nails". 14 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Dream Nails lead vocalist Janey Starling leaves band". 4 May 2021.
  10. ^ a b "How to start a fierce all-girl punk band". Dazed Digital. 15 April 2016.
  11. ^ "These Punk Witches Have Just Released A Hex On Donald Trump". The Debrief.
  12. ^ "Punk Band Dream Nails Puts A Hex on Donald Trump In 'Deep Heat' Video". Nylon.com. 5 November 2016.
  13. ^ "The Round-up – 06/06/17". Bombshell Zine. 6 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Dream Nails – Dare To Care | Echoes And Dust". 23 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Interview: Dream Nails – 'Take Up Space'". Getinherears.com. 23 January 2019.
  16. ^ "DREAM NAILS SHARE VIDEO FOR 'DIY'". Punktastic.com. 26 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  17. ^ a b Phillips, Stephanie (27 August 2020). "Dream Nails – 'Dream Nails' review: DIY punks lay out vision for feminist utopia". NME. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  18. ^ a b Richardson, Jake (25 August 2020). "Album Review: Dream Nails – Dream Nails". Kerrang!. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  19. ^ @dreamnailsband (23 February 2024). "Hey everyone, it's with a really heavy heart that we share that Ishmael has decided to move on from the band..." – via Instagram.
  20. ^ @ishmaelskirby (26 February 2024). "Right if I'm doing this I'm doing this on my terms. Let's talk about it. -" – via Instagram.
  21. ^ "Interview: Dream Nails talk latest single". Original Rock. 12 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Uk Punk Band Dream Nails Joins Krod Records". Whtybpress.com. 5 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
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