GRLWOOD HOLD NOTHING BACK ON THEIR FIERCE NEW ALBUM
Exclusive: GRLwood’s sophomore effort, I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12, is their punkest release yet.
WORDS: Danielle Chelosky and Chris Krovatin
PHOTO: Mickie Winters
Scream pop duo GRLwood are here to bring the ruckus. With the amazingly abrasive new album, I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12, the two self-described ‘Kentucky-fried queercore punks’ emanate rebellion and nonconformity on track like Fuck Me Up, I’m Having Sex Tonight, and I Hate My Mom. Not only that, but they also fearlessly fight for their rights on political anthems, such as the confrontational first track Get Shot, on which they deadpan: “Mama said, ‘Be nice to sad boys or else get shot’ / ‘Say yes sir to a cop or else get shot.’”
We caught up with GRLwood for a quick chat about their brutal coming-of-age tale.
Can you tell us about where the title of the album came from?
12 is such a turning point, because childhood begins to vanish and people start to treat you differently. You start making decisions for yourself and begin to realize who you are…then blood starts falling out of you.
What goes into your unique brand of angry noise-rock? What aspects of society inform your pissed-off sound?
*hand gestures to everythang* We live in a toxic climate that four years ago sounded like an internet meme that would never happen. We are a product of our environment and there is a lot to be angry about.
How does I Sold My Soul… differ from your previous album, Daddy? What has been the biggest change for you guys sound-wise?
I Sold My Soul is a continuation of Daddy, like a younger sibling. They are alike in both discussing modern queerdom/American sociopolitcal issues, but this album has a far more diverse sound. Our heavy songs got heavier and our pretty songs got prettier. We’ve widened the spectrum of the loud-soft dynamic.
You’re playing the Gathering Of The Juggalos this year — how do you think your music connects with the average ICP listener?
We are SO excited to play the Gathering! GRLwood and juggalos are alike because we are both seen as freaks and outcasts by society. Juggalo culture is about coming together and supporting each other, and we are all about that. We’re gonna get really weird together, and it’s gonna be fucking great. We’re tryna swim in the Faygo.
Check out our exclusive stream of GRLwood’s explosive new album below:
GRLwood’s I Sold My Soul To The Devil When I Was 12 comes out tomorrow via sonaBLAST! Records, and is available for preorder.
