You’ve been companions in life and music for 19 years now—how has that distinctive dynamic
formed Whiskey Flower’s sound and songwriting, particularly in the case of mixing
private authenticity with broader storytelling?
H: Properly….there’s plenty of couple’s remedy together with bickering in rehearsals however we at all times
struggle for the most effective sound, the most effective association, and what’s greatest for the music. As a result of we
know one another so deeply, we will push a music previous autobiography into one thing extra
common.
J: Haha, that’s true. And sure, I believe that belief now we have constructed over 19 years of residing collectively
as spouses and dealing via sh*t permits us to be direct with one another. There’s no
strolling on eggshells right here. I believe it’s why we will transfer via “artistic distinction” lol,
quicker and with out the drama. I additionally suppose it’s why the ultimate product is so genuine.
Your music typically carries a fierce, resilient power with themes of conquer
turbulence. What impressed the title and message behind your debut EP Righteous
Indignation, and the way has your perspective on these social/political themes developed since
2023?
J: The music Righteous Indignation was truly the very first music I wrote for Whiskey
Flower. We had been rising from the pandemic and I used to be actually dissatisfied with each
political extremes and everybody’s incapability to maneuver even 2 inches towards the center. What’s
shifted since then is much less the sensation and extra how I maintain it. There’s much less fire-for-the-sake-of-fire now, and extra readability about the place my power truly belongs.
H:Ya, there was such a division in our nation. Plenty of hate and other people being siloed of their
personal ideas and beliefs. For me, this was very unhappy and what’s even sadder is I really feel not
a lot has modified. I believe the unhappiness has matured into one thing extra resolved—much less
shock on the division, extra dedication to staying human inside it.
“Cease Stereo” is described as a desert-punk queer anthem that pushes again in opposition to
stereotypes and conformity. Are you able to stroll us via the music’s origins—what private or
cultural experiences sparked it, and the way does it match as the primary style of Double Yellow
Strains?
J: This was a kind of songs that got here via me fairly than from me. Does that make
sense? The melody and the lyrics burst out of me all of sudden. I consider I used to be the proper conduit due to the trail of conformity I lived for thus lengthy earlier in my life and my profession and the evolution I used to be beginning to expertise as an individual who’s simply over it—for me and everybody else. It felt like the proper first style of Double Yellow Strains as a result of the entire EP lives on the intersection between who you had been informed to be and who you truly are.
H: I don’t even know the place to begin! I really feel like with my career as a licensed naturopathic physician on high of being born queer, I’ve skilled a lot intense discrimination that has led me to attempt to cover my true self and morph into what I believe folks will settle for me as. The distinction now—and what this music symbolizes for me musically and personally—is that I’m executed with conforming. I’m ok as me and hope for others to search out this inside themselves as properly.
Having a Grammy-winner like John Would (identified for Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt
Cutters) produce tracks to your upcoming EP will need to have been thrilling. What was the
collaboration like, and the way did it affect the sound of “Cease Stereo” or the EP general?
J: Oh man! John is—how do I even start to explain working with him? He’s so chill and laid again, to not point out loopy freaking proficient! His studio is sort of a musician’s Nirvana, a protected area the place you aren’t afraid to attempt issues and perfection actually is the enemy. It’s all in regards to the vibe. He’s the one who satisfied us to document “Cease Stereo” dwell. What you hear on the monitor was all executed collectively in a single take.
H: He’s superb! There’s this one a part of the bridge part in “Cease Stereo” the place throughout
the recording session, he mentioned, “Do that.” It was a sequence of notes in a stroll down that made
it a lot cooler than what I used to be doing. I really like him.
Eight of your songs, together with the Emmy-considered “One thing Higher Than This,”
had been featured in Season 1 of Middlehood on Amazon Prime Video. How did that
alternative come about, and what was it like seeing your music built-in right into a sequence
about midlife reinvention and household?
J: That was a loopy story! Our EP was dropping in a few days and our good friend, Catherine, shared the submit on her Fb web page of all locations. Seems, Michele Palermo (author/creator/producer of Middlehood) was up after midnight that evening, scuffling with music for her first season. Nothing she had discovered was fairly “it” but. She noticed Catherine’s submit, listened to the EP, and the remaining is historical past. “One thing Higher Than This” is form of its personal wild story. After Michele had licensed a bunch of songs, she despatched us the tough reduce of the primary season and there was nonetheless one scene with filler music in it. I used to be so taken by the story and the characters, I ended up writing the music the subsequent morning and sharing it with Michele, who used it in that scene.
H: It was surreal. I embarrassingly watch plenty of TV and there’s clearly music in every single place. I used to be so blown away, not solely by the sequence, “Middlehood” and it’s distinct storytelling and message, but in addition by listening to ourselves! The themes of reinvention, longing, and beginning over felt extremely acquainted to us, which might be why the music slid into that world so naturally.
Holly, you’re on Time Journal’s Alt 100 Checklist—congrats on that recognition! How has
that platform or visibility impacted your work with Whiskey Flower, significantly in
amplifying queer voices in Americana-Rock?
H: Large HA! We’re nonetheless hoping that it does?? LOL. In all seriousness, if that visibility does
something, I hope it quietly affirms that queer voices belong in each area—together with roots
and Americana music—with out having to clarify or justify themselves.
Julie, you’ve had a journey from earlier initiatives like Dimestore Halo and releases on
Hyena Data and Lonesome Day Data to forming Whiskey Flower. What drew you to
shift towards this duo format with Holly, and the way has it felt liberating or difficult?
J: To be trustworthy, I acquired dropped from my labels, the band broke up, and my supervisor and I
parted methods. It was a very low time for me—so low that I walked away from music
altogether for some time. For a decade, Holly and I performed round for enjoyable in several band
configurations—we even went on a few small excursions—however nothing actually caught.
Whiskey Flower shaped throughout the pandemic, when a good friend and her neighbors had been all
craving dwell music and requested us to come back play on their driveway for a distanced yard occasion. It
was pure pleasure taking part in dwell music throughout that point! The grins we dropped at folks’s
faces…the wiggles we dropped at their hips. It reignited one thing in me and in Holly and
that one thing grew into Whiskey Flower.
Your dwell reveals are identified for tight harmonies, electrifying power, and that “lived-in
authenticity.” What’s a favourite reminiscence from performing as a duo (or full band with company
like Kristen Gleeson-Prata on drums), and the way do you retain that uncooked reference to
audiences?
H: There’s a sure music that Julie wrote, truly for the sequence, “Middlehood”—it’s referred to as
“One thing Higher Than This.” We begin out acapella with “Ooooos” in tight concord. I’m
at all times so shocked at how quiet folks get and keep throughout that half. Pindrop.
J: Ya, I’m at all times shocked too. It nearly threw me off the primary time! Typically, Holly and I
have enjoyable collectively on stage whether or not it’s a duo present or a full band present. We love taking part in with KGP (Kristen) on drums! She is such a drive and a complete professional. I believe Holly’s character additionally provides to that “lived-in authenticity” as a result of I simply by no means know what she may do or say. She’s a little bit of a wild card and I’m the management freak.
As an overtly queer duo, how do you navigate illustration within the Americana/Roots
music scene, which hasn’t at all times been essentially the most inclusive? What message do you hope
“Cease Stereo” and your general catalog sends to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and allies?
J: Having began within the Americana/Roots style in my solo profession, I can attest to an absence of
inclusivity being an actual factor at one time. I used to be informed that I wanted to “preserve folks guessing”
and “be a thriller.” I used to be even informed to not put on my marriage ceremony ring! It was a distinct time. The message we hope comes via—particularly to queer listeners—is that you just don’t have to cover or shrink to belong right here.
H: I assume at this level, I’m so over labels. Persons are folks. I assume Depeche Mode had it proper. And, I actually want we may all simply notice that and love one another. If our music provides somebody permission to take up area precisely as they’re, then it’s doing its job.
You’ve acquired merch, vinyl pre-orders, and native Santa Fe gigs within the combine alongside greater
releases. What’s the steadiness like between staying grounded in native/dwell roots and constructing
towards the complete Double Yellow Strains EP launch?
H: For me, there’s actually no “steadiness.” It’s about persevering with to do what you’re keen on, get higher at your craft, and develop the place you may.
J: I agree. The scale of the venue or the status of the gig issues little to me anymore. It’s
about connection.
“Cease Stereo” confronts being boxed in—personally, culturally, and sonically. In a world
that usually calls for conformity, how do you two keep true to your unapologetic fashion, each
in music and in life?
J: Candidly, it’s rather a lot simpler for me to be unapologetic with music than it’s in life. Life continues to be a piece in progress. Issues are shifting although and I do know that’s being mirrored in our music.
H: It’s humorous, I began out as a guitar participant and was self-taught on bass when Julie wanted a bass participant a couple of decade in the past. I believed, “2 much less strings—what can go mistaken?” However significantly, I was insecure about not being classically educated however I’ve discovered to embrace my very own fashion and simply keep on with it. I’ve discovered that confidence doesn’t come from becoming a mildew. It comes from committing to your individual lane and standing there.
Trying forward, what’s subsequent after “Cease Stereo” drops on February 27? Any hints about
the remainder of Double Yellow Strains, future dwell plans, or how followers can help Whiskey Flower
as you kick up mud and preserve breaking molds?
H: We’re prepared for ANYTHING! I’d like to open up and help an even bigger act on the
street and simply have a blast taking part in music and hopefully making folks completely satisfied.
J: I echo Holly for positive! There’s extra music coming from Double Yellow Strains, extra dwell
reveals, and an actual need to maintain constructing neighborhood across the songs as they’re launched.
So, Brandi Carlile, if you’re studying this—Whiskey Flower is obtainable. ��
https://www.whiskeyflowerband.com
https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyflowerband
- E-mail: neill@outloudculture.com
