Daisy Grenade talks about Sad Summer Fest, their musical roots, & more! -- exclusive interview
The hottest girl duo Daisy Grenade has taken the scene by storm over the last year. Consider them somewhat like a modern-day Avril Lavigne, but ten times better. Daisy Grenade has double the rock, sass, & angst that old-school Avril offers. You can check out their latest single "Already Dead" featuring The Ready Set below!
The Daisy Grenade ladies are based in New York and mentored by Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz (the prince of pop-punk). Daisy Grenade's power-punk tracks have secured them a spot on select dates of the Sad Summer Fest 2023. On the tour, fans can also expect to see Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, PVRIS, Hot Mulligan, Mom Jeans, and Stand Atlantic.
Click here to see our exclusive interview with The Maine.
Other guest performers include Andrew McMahon, Head Automatica, L.S Dunes, & Motion City SoundTrack. Sincere Engineer & Cliffdiver will also open on select dates. Emos everywhere are enthusiastic with this performance list (including us!). You can check out Sad Summer Fest dates & tickets by clicking here.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Dani & Keaton to talk about their accomplishments & their plans for 2023.
Check out our exclusive interview with the punk-grunge queens Daisy Grenade below!
Keep up with Daisy Grenade on social media!
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How did your musical journeys begin? Where did you first cross paths? How did you decide on the name Daisy Grenade?
Keaton: “Dani and I have both been doing musical theatre for basically our entire lives, so music in some way was always present for us.” Dani: “I grew up with both of my parents being musicians and in multiple bands, so music has been with me since before birth and it’s always felt like a crucial part of my life.” Keaton: “We crossed paths at a rehearsal for a production of American Idiot in which we were both stepping in for different roles for only a weekend. That production never happened because of our girl COVID, but DG was born out of COVID-era creative frustration. We weren’t always called Daisy Grenade, when we first started we were called “Make Your Son Famous” (RIP), but ultimately decided it was a wee bit too long. We wanted something that felt equally girly/cutesie and hard. We loved the combo of the flower and the explosive, I feel like it invokes some really vivid imagery.”
If you had to describe your overall sound in three words or less, how would you describe it? Why?
Keaton: “This is super tough. I would call our music spooky, bubbly, and grungy. I think we combine some really spooky, graphic lyrics with bouncy pop-punk melodies, and I feel like it creates a really nice juxtaposition.” Dani: “I agree! I’d say the EP ‘Cult Classic’ specifically gives me electric, eerie, and playful feels! And pink! I’m saying a fourth!”
As the most iconic, on-the-rise female duo in the scene, what have been some of the biggest successes as well as the biggest struggles you’ve encountered so far?
Keaton: “First of all, thank you! We’ve had a really crazy year, and we’re so beyond grateful. I think for me, the opportunity to open for Fall Out Boy feels like the biggest success we’ve had thus far, but also someone got a tattoo inspired by one of our songs, and that was pretty cool. The struggles are also abundant when you start to deal with art on a little bigger scale. Making sure that we’re always/only making music that we absolutely love, and staying true to what we know we have can get challenging.” Dani: “We’re beyond lucky to be where we are; we honestly see even the tiniest wins as big successes for us. At the end of the day, I just hope someone somewhere is positively affected by the music we make.”
What artists do you look to for inspiration? What tracks do you have on repeat right now?
Keaton: “This is a really hard one because there are SO many. Dani and I are both big Turnstile fans, that has been a huge inspiration this year! Turnstile is kind of constantly on repeat for me. A friend recently introduced me to Jean Dawson, who I’m really loving. I also have to say, I have fallen in love with Nessa Barrett’s new stuff coming out. As far as tracks on repeat, I rotate through the classics (“Give Yourself a Try”- The 1975, “King For A Day” - Pierce The Veil, Kellin Quinn) and whatever my current obsession is at the moment.” Dani: “I’m very openly obsessed with Waterparks. Awsten’s artistry and just overall dedication to music have been a huge point of inspiration for me this past year. I draw a lot of writing inspiration from Regina Spektor and Pete Wentz. Track on repeat right now is “Where Is My Mind?” by the Pixies.”
How are you feeling about Sad Summer Fest? What about it is exciting or nerve-wracking?
Keaton: “It’s all super exciting and nerve-wracking! We’ve never played a festival before, so that environment will be new, but we’re ready to rip. So cool to get to play alongside some of our faves like Taking Back Sunday and Motion City Soundtrack.”
Which artist(s) are you most excited about touring with on Sad Summer Fest this summer?
Keaton: “ALL!! Literally all of them, but I have to say I am a huge Stand Atlantic fan, and I have been listening to Sincere Engineer forever as well so I’m excited to meet them if we get the chance!” Dani: “I think we have one gig with Head Automatica which I am SUPER stoked about. The entire lineup is sick, and we’re honored to be a part of it!”
What tracks are you looking forward to playing live on Sad Summer Fest?
Keaton: “We’ve got some new ones that we’re really excited to play for everybody! As well as the (cult) classics like ‘Are You Scared Of Me Yet?’ And ‘Baby Blackout.’” Dani: “I’m really excited to play ‘Sick In The City’ because I feel like that crowd specifically will appreciate how hard it goes.”
What else can fans anticipate from Daisy Grenade throughout the rest of 2023?
Keaton: “We have SO much we are sitting on that we can’t wait to share with everyone, so without being the most annoying person alive: BIG STUFF COMING!!”
Which date of Sad Summer Fest do you plan on attending? Let us know on our socials!
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